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France - Bordeaux > History, Location, Climate, and General Knowledge > Flashcards

History, Location, Climate, and General Knowledge Flashcards

1
Q

When did wine production first begin in Bordeaux?

A

Evidence suggests wine production started as early as 4th century AD.

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2
Q

What was the primary foreign market for Bordeaux wines in the Middle Ages

A

England

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3
Q

What did the Dutch do to the land in Bordeaux in the 1600s?

A

Created channels and canals to drain marsh land, making the land more suitable for growing grapes

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4
Q

How does the geographic location of Bordeaux contribute to its success?

A

Proximity to the Atlantic ocean created an easy trade route and helped grow the shipment of Bordeaux worldwide, making it the premier wine making location

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5
Q

Where is Bordeaux located?

A

Southwestern France, along the Gironde Estuary that feeds into the Atlantic Ocean.

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6
Q

What features helps protect Bordeaux from extreme weather?

A

The Les Landes forest, west of much of Bordeaux, protects the region from harsh weather off the Atlantic Ocean. The forest is mostly pine trees

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7
Q

What are the two rivers in Bordeaux?

A

Dordogne and Garonne rivers that meet to form the Gironde Estuary

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8
Q

What is the body of land between the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers?

A

Entre-deux-mers

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9
Q

What direction do these rivers generally flow?

A

Southeast to Northwest

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10
Q

What is the climate of Bordeaux?

A

Maritime

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11
Q

What influence does the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have on Bordeaux?

A

The gulf stream brings warm waters to the coast of France, moderating the weather in Bordeaux and increasing the humidity of the region.

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12
Q

What weather issues are faced in Bordeaux?

A

Spring frost and excessive rain during harvest

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13
Q

Is the weather consistent from year to year?

A

No, the weather can be wildly inconsistent

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14
Q

What are the differences in resulting wines of the 1994, 1995, and 1996 vintages?

A
  • *1994:** Damp spring, warm & sunny summer, followed by rains in September that diluted much of the crop. Right bank is better because merlot ripens earlier than Cab Sauv. Left bank wines have underripe characteristics. Not good for Sauternes or Barsac
  • *1995:** An excellent year for both banks. Mild spring, very hot and dry summer, September rain forced early harvest of Cab Sauv, but harvest was under dry conditions. Rich and structured wines, St. Emilion and Pomerol are excellent, Left bank wines need time in cellar but are good.
  • *1996:** A “legendary” vintage. Warm spring, moderate temperatures all year created slow ripening, which is good. Harvest under a warm and dry September. Cabernet did better than Merlot across the board. Left bank was better.
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15
Q

Is the soil uniform throughout Bordeaux?

A

No, each region is known for a unique soil type. Grapes growing in each region best match that soil type.

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16
Q

What is critical to good grape growing in the soil in Bordeaux?

A

Good drainage is key

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17
Q

What is the soil on the Left Bank (Medoc and Graves)?

A

Gravel

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18
Q

What is the soil in Entre-deux-mers?

A

Fertile silt

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19
Q

What is the soil in Saint-Emilion?

A

Gravel, limestone, and clay

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20
Q

What is the soil in Pomerol?

A

Iron pan under sand and clay

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21
Q

What white grapes are allowed in Bordeaux?

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle (small quantities)

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22
Q

What red grapes are allowed in Bordeaux?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carmenere

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23
Q

What is the most widely planted red grape in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot, more than 60% of Vineyard land

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24
Q

What 3 grape varieties are allowed but only produced in small quantities?

A

Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere

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25
Q

Are Bordeaux wines typically varietal wines or blends?

A

Blends

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26
Q

What is the typical blend of red wine from the Left Bank?

A

Medoc:
70% Cab Sauv, 30% Merlot, Small amounts of Cab Franc and Petit Verdot
Aged in new French oak barrels

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27
Q

What is the typical blend of red wine from the Right Bank?

A

Saint-Emilion & Pomerol:
70% Merlot, 30% Cab Franc
Spends some time in French oak barrels

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28
Q

What is the typical blend of white wine from Left Bank & Entre-deux-mers?

A

Graves (Pessac-Leognan) & Entre-Deux-Mers:
80% Sauv Blanc, 20% Semillon
Most inexpensive wines made without oak
High-end whites are aged in new French oak

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29
Q

What is the typical blend of sweet whites?

A

Sauternes and surrounding area:
80% Semillon, 20% Sauv Blanc, some Muscadelle
Many are aged in new French oak barrels

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30
Q

Is new oak used in Bordeaux?

A

Yes, much of the reds use new French oak for aging. In particular, larger portions of new French oak are used for the prestigious wines (of any style or color)

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31
Q

What is the size of barrel (barrique) used in Bordeaux?

A

225 L

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32
Q

What flavors or aromas does new French oak impart on Bordeaux?

A

Vanilla, toasted cedar, spice

33
Q

What are the appellations for Bordeaux?

A 
Regional AOP (Bordeaux AOP)
Sub-regional or district AOP (Haut-Medoc AOP)
Commune AOP (Pauillac AOP)
34
Q

What wines can fall under Bordeaux AOP?

A

Any wines in both dry and sweet styles. Grapes can come from anywhere. Largest appellation in size and production.

35
Q

What wines can fall under Sub-regional or district AOPs?

A

May be the highest appellation attainable in a particular locale
Or may encompass a number of separate communes (Haut Medoc AOP and Entre-Deux-Mers AOP)

36
Q

What wines can fall under commune AOPs?

A

Smallest AOPs in a region, usually with highest quality wines
Pauillac, Margaux, Pomerol, St. Julien, St Estephe, St Emilion

37
Q

What does “chateau” mean in Bordeaux?

A

An estate under single ownership. It can be grand like a castle or estate or simple.

38
Q

How are Bordeaux vineyards known and distinguished from one another?

A

By the name of the chateau that owns them. Vineyards are not divided between different owners like they are in Burgundy. A chateau name is a ‘brand’ and not a specific vineyard. Petrus, for example has grown 50% over the last 50 years as it has acquired more vineyard land that it uses for grape growing.

39
Q

where does the name bordeaux come from?

A

au bord de l’eau or “along the waters”

40
Q

what region in France is Bordeaux in?

41
Q

what percent of the wine in bordeaux is red?

42
Q

what is the terrain of the medoc?

A

gently sloping hills

43
Q

what is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux?

44
Q

what % is merlot planted?

45
Q

what % is cab sauv planted

46
Q

what % is cab franc planted

47
Q

what is the most widely planted white grape?

A

semillon (according to wine bible)

48
Q

what does chateau mean

A

building attached to Vineyards with winemaking and storage facilities on the property

49
Q

what does cuverie mean

A

building where the wine will be made

50
Q

what does chai (shay) mean?

A

cellar where wine is stored and aged

51
Q

which Sauternes chateau was classified highest in 1855?

A

Chateau d’Yquem

52
Q

what is chateau d’yquems classification?

A

premier cru superior classe

53
Q

what are the other classifications in Sauternes?

A

2nd is premier cru, 3rd is Second Growths

54
Q

what is the classification system of Graves

A

16 chateau are allowed to call themselves “grand cru classe” including Haut Brion. this was established in 1953

55
Q

can the 1855 classification change?

A

it has only changed once (Mouton) and will likely never change again

56
Q

how much cab sauv is grown in the Medoc?

A

70% of grapes grown are cab sauv

57
Q

how many classified estates are in Margaux?

58
Q

what are Margaux wines known as

A

“an iron fist in a velvet glove”

59
Q

what percentage of chateau in St Julien are classified

60
Q

what are whites from Pessac leognan known for pairing wise?

61
Q

how many sweet wines producing commutes does Bordeaux have?

A
  1. 2 are famous on sauternes and barsac
62
Q

what about the semillon grape makes it suited for Sauternes?

A

it is susceptible to botrytis because it’s thin skinned and has high sugar content

63
Q

What is unique about Graves’ chateaux?

A

Graves is the only region where almost every chateau produces both red and white

64
Q

how long can fermentation of Sauternes take?

A

up to 1 year

65
Q

what level of residual sugar is in Sauternes and Barsac?

66
Q

merlot makes up what percent of pomerol plantings?

67
Q

what are the oldest planting areas of bordeaux?

A

the cotes, first planted by the Romans

68
Q

what about the soil in the cotes makes the wines less complex?

A

it is more fertile soil and grapes are harvested at higher yields

69
Q

When did the relationship between Bordeaux and England begin?

A

12th century.
Elenore of Aquitaine married Henry II of England. Bordeaux was her dowry.

70
Q

What is the nickname for Bordeaux in England?

71
Q

What is the nickname for Botrytis?

72
Q

What flavors is semillon known for?

A

Tropical and floral flavors and aromas

73
Q

What percent of total Bordeaux production is labeled Bordeaux AOP?

74
Q

What is the topography of Pessac-Leognan?

A

Slightly elevated from the surrounding region. Still has gravel soils

75
Q

Does Sauternes use oak?

A

Yes, often new french oak

76
Q

How are the grapes of Sauternes picked?

A

One at a time, only picking the ones with botrytis on them. Takes several passes through the vineyard to get all grapes.

77
Q

What is the blend of pomerol?

A

Predominantly merlot, some cab franc

78
Q

What are the characteristics of pomerol?

A

Spicy, plummy, soft. Yet structured

France - Bordeaux (3 decks)

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