General Flashcards
Where does Bordeaux rank in size of French wine producing region?
How many hectares?
1st
117,500 Hectares
14% of total French vineyard area
5-6 million HL each year
What are the subregions of Bordeaux?
Medoc
Graves
Entre-deux-Mers
The Right Bank
Blaye and Bourg
What climate is Bordeaux categorized as?
Describe it
Maritime
Warm summer and cool winter moderated by Gironde Estuary
Atlantic Gulf Stream current, bringing warm waters up from the Caribbean, keeps its climate mild
NO significant diurnal shift
Frost is very rare
What is the annual rainfall of Bordeaux and where does it rank?
950 ml
1st of all major regions
Where does Bordeaux fall on the Winkler Scale?
II
What are the red grapes authorized for Bordeaux AOP and other red wine producing AOPs?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Cot (Malbec)
Carmnere
Petite Verdot
Arinarnoa - added in 2021
Castets - added in 2021
Marselan - added in 2021
Touriga Nacional - added in 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc make up 99% of planting
What are white grapes authorized for Bordeaux AOP?
Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc (and Gris)
Muscadelle
Ugni Blanc
Merlot Blanc
Colombard
Alvarinho - added in 2021
Lilorila - added in 2021
What percentage of grapes in Bordeaux are red?
What is most planted?
89%
Merlot - red - 63% of red grapes planted
Semillon - white - 45% of white grapes planted
Sauvignon Blanc - 43%
What is the historical reason for planting various grapes in Bordeaux?
“Insurance policy” agaisnt ripening or budding issues from rain or frosts
What are the most likely weather related viticulture problems in Bordeax?
Rot and coulure from rainfall
What is the chemical pound responsible for pyrazine flavours?
2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine
What are the parents of Merlot
Cabernet Franc x Magdelein Noire de Charentes
What soils does Merlot prefer and why?
Riping and buding timing?
Clusters?
Disease susceptibility?
Cool Clay soils to tame ripening and yield
Buds and ripens two weeks earlier then Cab
Thinner skin than Cab prone to rot and coulure
Less susceptible to wood-rotting disease allowing vines to live to 100 years old
What soils does Merlot prefer and why?
Riping and buding timing?
Clusters?
Disease susceptibility?
Cool Clay soils to tame ripening and yield
Buds and ripens two weeks earlier then Cab
Thinner skin than Cab prone to rot and coulure
Less susceptible to wood-rotting disease allowing vines to live to 100 years old
What are the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc
What soil does Cabernet Sauv prefer and why?
Clusters?
Warm, gravel soils to allow to ripen to full potential
Thicker skins to help resist rot
What are synonyms for Malbec?
Cot
Pressac Noir
Malbec was the named of the grower that brought it to the Right Bank in 1730s
Chateau de Pressac was the estate Malbec bought in 1730 and planted with Cot/Pressac Noir/Malbec
What does Cab Franc added to right bank blend?
Acid and Aromatics
What does Petite Verdot added to Left bank Cab blends?
Even more tannin
Color
Exotic spice
Floral perfume
What does Petite Verdot added to Left bank Cab blends?
Even more tannin
Color
Exotic spice
Floral perfume
What Semillon add to white blends?
Waxy and rich texture - Foils the pungent aromas of Sauvy B
What are the parents of Carmenere?
Cabernet Franc x Grois Noir
What is Sauvignon Gris?
Grey-skined, early ripening mutation of Sauvignon Blanc
Listed as a seperate grapes in the Bordeux Cahiers
Popular in Graves
Describe Muscadelle
Not related to Muscat but shows similiar flowery, grapey and intense aromatics
Like Petit Verdot in Médoc reds, a tiny addition of Muscadelle can significantly impact a dry or sweet white wine’s aromatic profile.