History of Bordeaux Flashcards
Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée system, using early, self-imposed guidelines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape as a model, stipulated limits on yields, vineyard density, training and pruning techniques, grape varietals, methods of production, minimum alcohol levels, minimum must weights, and the geographical boundaries of each appellation. AOC wines must pass a tasting panel. T or F
True
In 1935, the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine (INAO) was created to delimit and enforce France’s wine appellation system. T or F
True
Current French Wine Classifications
Appellation d’Origine Contrôlee / Protégée (AOC/AOP)
Vin de Pays / Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP)
Vin de France (formerly Table Wine)
Bordeaux is one of France’s most important fine wine regions, and is second in volume of production only to the Languedoc. In 2004 the total vineyard area encompassed 306,000 acres, establishing Bordeaux as France’s largest wine appellation. Red, white, rosé, sweet, and sparkling wines are produced. T or F
True
Evidence of wine production near the Garonne dates back to the 4th century AD, the Dutch provided the framework for the Médoc’s eventual dominance by creating a complex series of drainage channels throughout the area, making it suitable for viticulture in the mid-1600s. From 1152 to 1453 Bordeaux was ruled by _____.
England
Traditionally, ______ acted as one type of intermediary, buying fruit or wine in barrel to age in their own cellars before selling the bottled wine.
négociants
_________—brokers of wine—became a powerful force in the Médoc, supplying the châteaux with financial backing while gaining total control over the actual trade of wine. While the négociants faded in influence after World War II with the rising appeal of estate bottling.
Courtiers-maintain their authority over the trade, and are responsible for the current method of en primeur sales, the yearly offering of Bordeaux wine as futures.
The climate of Bordeaux is _____, with both the Atlantic and the Gironde estuary acting as moderating influences, protecting the vines from winter freezes and spring frost. Winters are short, springtime is usually damp and summers can reach high temperatures. Coastal pine forests protect the Médoc vineyards from harsh west and northwesterly winds, but rain is a worry, especially at harvest. The climate becomes more continental toward St-Émilion and Pomerol.
maritime
What is coulure?
Coulure (pronounced coo-LYUR) is a potential viticultural hazard that is the result of metabolic reactions to weather conditions that causes a failure of grapes to develop after flowering. In English the word shatter is sometimes used. Coulure is triggered by periods of cold, cloudy, rainy weather or very high out-of-season temperatures.
_________- (or shot berries, hens and chicks and pumpkins and peas) is a potential viticultural hazard problem in which grape bunches contain berries that differ greatly in size and, most importantly, maturity. Its most common cause is cold, rainy or otherwise bad weather during the flowering stage of the vines though other factors, such as boron deficiency or fanleaf degeneration, may also play a role.
Millerandage
Bordeaux mixture—a mix of lime, copper sulfate, and water—is applied throughout the region to avoid fungal problems. T or F
True
Dry white wines are generally labeled ______?
sec
Within which years did phylloxera wipe out all the vines in Bordeaux?
In 1863 phylloxera struck France
Phylloxera’s impact was catastrophic: the invasive species reduced France’s vineyard acreage by one-third from 1875 to 1889, and production declined by 73%
How many liters are there in a Bordeaux barrique?
225 L
