Introduction to France & Bordeaux

Question 1

What are synonyms for French PDOs?

Answer 1

AC (Appellation Contrôlée) or
AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) or
AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée)

Question 2

What are synonyms for French PGI?

Answer 2

IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée)
VdP (Vin de Pays)

Question 3

What is “Vin de France”

Answer 3

A wine without Geographic Indication

Question 4

What are characteristics of Bordeaux Climate?

Answer 4

Moderate & Maritime: Latitude 45°N
Warming influence by the Gulf Stream extending the growing season
Rainfall & Humidity
Some protection by western Landes forest & Dunes.

Question 5

What are some hazards in the vineyards due to the maritime climate?

Answer 5

Rainfalls in the spring may disrupt flowering & fruit set Rainfall in summer & harvest time provoke dilute flavors.
Humidity promotes rot & fungal diseases
All of which mean high vintage variation.

Question 6

What growers in Bordeaux do against local weather hazards?

Answer 6

Improve canopy management (for aeration)
Sort unhealthy/ unripe grapes at picking & sorting tables
Mitigate risks by growing varieties with different budding, flowering, ripening times.

Question 7

What are 4 key red grape varieties in Bordeaux?

Answer 7

Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Petit Verdot

Question 8

Key winemaking practices in Bordeaux

Answer 8

Use of oak, steel and concrete fermentation vessels
Blending in the spring after harvest or after maturation
Top wine, Second & Third wines
Maturation in 225 L Barriques (some new)

Question 9

What are 3 key white grapes in Bordeaux?

Answer 9

Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle

Question 10

What are the two rivers combining to for the Gironde estuary in Bordeaux?

Answer 10

The Dordogne
The Garonne

Question 11

Name 3 important districts on the west and south of the Gironde?
(The left Bank)

Answer 11

Médoc, Graves and Sauternes

Question 12

What AC covers most of the area between the Dordogne and the Garonne?

Answer 12

Entre-deux-Mers

Question 13

What 2 important AC lie on the north east of the Gironde and Dordogne?
(Right Bank)

Answer 13

Pommerol
Saint-Emilion

Question 14

What are 2 generic AC in the region?

Answer 14

Bordeaux
Bordeaux Supérieur (with slightly stricter reg. and ABV)

Question 15

What are 4 noteworthy communes of the Haut-Médoc?

Answer 15

Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien & Margaux

Question 16

What are key characteristics of wines coming from the noteworthy communes of the Haut-Médoc ?

Answer 16

-High percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon
-Core of blackcurrant fruit & cedar notes from oak
-Grippy tannins in their youth, long ageing potential

Question 17

What is a highly rated commune, south of Bordeaux with similar soils than in the Haut Médoc, well-suited to Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 17

Pessac-Léognan

Question 18

What are the 3 distinct groups of vineyards in Saint-Emilion?

Answer 18

Vineyards on the Plateau (NW of St-Emilion)
-Vineyards on the Escarpment (SE of St-Emilion)
-Vineyards on the foot of the Escarpment

Question 19

Why are the vineyards on the plateau of St-Emilion suitable for Cabernet Franc and occasionally Cab. Sauvignon?

Answer 19

Because the gravel & limestone soils are warm, well-drained and therefore suitable to ripen these grapes.

Question 20

Where do the most prestigious wines of St-Emilion come from?

Answer 20

The Plateau and the Escarpment.

Question 21

What are the characteristics of the wines coming from the Plateau & the Escarpment of St-Emilion?

Answer 21

Medium to high tannins, yet soft and rich mouthfeel with complex red berry fruit and plum aromas developing tobacco and cedar notes with age.

Question 22

How different are the wines of Pomerol, compared to St-Emilion?

Answer 22

The wines of Pomerol tend to be richer with a spicier blackberry fruit character.

Question 23

Explain “Garage Wine”

Answer 23

-Tiny quantities of full-bodied & incredibly ripe wines
-From tiny plots of vines in the right bank
-Made with no expense spared & fetching high prices

Question 24

Describe Côtes de Bordeaux

Answer 24

• Lesser-known appellations including
• Blaye/Cadillac/Castillon/Francs
• Tend to be Merlot-based, intended for early consumption.

Question 25

What are 3 appellations producing premium dry white wines from Sauvignon Banc and Sémillon and partly matured in oak?

Answer 25

• Entre-deux-Mers (produces only white)
• Graves (also produces red)
• Pessac-Léognan (also produces red)

Question 26

What are 2 communes of Bordeaux producing sweet botrytised white wines?

Answer 26

• Barsac
• Sauternes

Question 27

What are the 2 rivers responsible for creating the required morning mist suitable for Noble Rot?

Answer 27

• Ciron & Garonne

Question 28

What is the role of the 3 grapes used to make Barsac & Sauternes?

Answer 28

Sémillon = Thin skin = most suitable for Noble Rot
Sauvignon Blanc = brings balancing acidity & fruit
Muscadelle = Exotic perfume

Question 29

The 1855 Bordeaux classification: Why? by Whom? Based on what? Following what format?

Answer 29

-To feature the best wines at the Paris Univ. Exhibition
-By the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce
-Based on price
-Ranking “Crus Classés” from Premier, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth.

Question 30

What is different about the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classification?

Answer 30

-Saint Emilion Grand Cru is an AOC (Vineyards within the Saint Emilion area with stricter yields and maturation requirements)
-The classification pertains only to the best Chateaux of the St-Emilion Grand Cru AOC ( from “Grand Cru Classé” to “Premier Gd Cru Classé” “B” & “A”
-Reclassifications occur every decades