History, Location, Climate, and General Knowledge Flashcards
When did wine production first begin in Bordeaux?
Evidence suggests wine production started as early as 4th century AD.
What was the primary foreign market for Bordeaux wines in the Middle Ages
England
What did the Dutch do to the land in Bordeaux in the 1600s?
Created channels and canals to drain marsh land, making the land more suitable for growing grapes
How does the geographic location of Bordeaux contribute to its success?
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
Where is Bordeaux located?
Southwestern France, along the Gironde Estuary that feeds into the Atlantic Ocean.
What features helps protect Bordeaux from extreme weather?
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
What are the two rivers in Bordeaux?
Dordogne and Garonne rivers that meet to form the Gironde Estuary
What is the body of land between the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers?
Entre-deux-mers
What direction do these rivers generally flow?
Southeast to Northwest
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
Maritime
What influence does the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have on Bordeaux?
The gulf stream brings warm waters to the coast of France, moderating the weather in Bordeaux and increasing the humidity of the region.
What weather issues are faced in Bordeaux?
Spring frost and excessive rain during harvest
Is the weather consistent from year to year?
No, the weather can be wildly inconsistent
What are the differences in resulting wines of the 1994, 1995, and 1996 vintages?
- *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.
Is the soil uniform throughout Bordeaux?
No, each region is known for a unique soil type. Grapes growing in each region best match that soil type.
What is critical to good grape growing in the soil in Bordeaux?
Good drainage is key
What is the soil on the Left Bank (Medoc and Graves)?
Gravel
What is the soil in Entre-deux-mers?
Fertile silt
What is the soil in Saint-Emilion?
Gravel, limestone, and clay
What is the soil in Pomerol?
Iron pan under sand and clay
What white grapes are allowed in Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle (small quantities)
What red grapes are allowed in Bordeaux?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carmenere
What is the most widely planted red grape in Bordeaux?
Merlot, more than 60% of Vineyard land
What 3 grape varieties are allowed but only produced in small quantities?
Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere
Are Bordeaux wines typically varietal wines or blends?
Blends
What is the typical blend of red wine from the Left Bank?
Medoc:
70% Cab Sauv, 30% Merlot, Small amounts of Cab Franc and Petit Verdot
Aged in new French oak barrels
What is the typical blend of red wine from the Right Bank?
Saint-Emilion & Pomerol:
70% Merlot, 30% Cab Franc
Spends some time in French oak barrels
What is the typical blend of white wine from Left Bank & Entre-deux-mers?
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
What is the typical blend of sweet whites?
Sauternes and surrounding area:
80% Semillon, 20% Sauv Blanc, some Muscadelle
Many are aged in new French oak barrels
Is new oak used in Bordeaux?
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)
What is the size of barrel (barrique) used in Bordeaux?
225 L