Introduction to France & Bordeaux Flashcards
What are synonyms for French PDOs?
AC (Appellation Contrôlée) or
AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) or
AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée)
What are synonyms for French PGI?
IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée)
VdP (Vin de Pays)
What is “Vin de France”
A wine without Geographic Indication
What are characteristics of Bordeaux Climate?
Moderate & Maritime: Latitude 45°N
Warming influence by the Gulf Stream extending the growing season
Rainfall & Humidity
Some protection by western Landes forest & Dunes.
What are some hazards in the vineyards due to the maritime climate?
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.
What growers in Bordeaux do against local weather hazards?
Improve canopy management (for aeration)
Sort unhealthy/ unripe grapes at picking & sorting tables
Mitigate risks by growing varieties with different budding, flowering, ripening times.
What are 4 key red grape varieties in Bordeaux?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Petit Verdot
Key winemaking practices in Bordeaux
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)
What are 3 key white grapes in Bordeaux?
Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
What are the two rivers combining to for the Gironde estuary in Bordeaux?
The Dordogne
The Garonne
Name 3 important districts on the west and south of the Gironde?
(The left Bank)
Médoc, Graves and Sauternes
What AC covers most of the area between the Dordogne and the Garonne?
Entre-deux-Mers
What 2 important AC lie on the north east of the Gironde and Dordogne?
(Right Bank)
Pommerol
Saint-Emilion
What are 2 generic AC in the region?
Bordeaux
Bordeaux Supérieur (with slightly stricter reg. and ABV)
What are 4 noteworthy communes of the Haut-Médoc?
Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien & Margaux
What are key characteristics of wines coming from the noteworthy communes of the Haut-Médoc ?
-High percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon
-Core of blackcurrant fruit & cedar notes from oak
-Grippy tannins in their youth, long ageing potential
What is a highly rated commune, south of Bordeaux with similar soils than in the Haut Médoc, well-suited to Cabernet Sauvignon?
Pessac-Léognan
What are the 3 distinct groups of vineyards in Saint-Emilion?
Vineyards on the Plateau (NW of St-Emilion)
-Vineyards on the Escarpment (SE of St-Emilion)
-Vineyards on the foot of the Escarpment
Why are the vineyards on the plateau of St-Emilion suitable for Cabernet Franc and occasionally Cab. Sauvignon?
Because the gravel & limestone soils are warm, well-drained and therefore suitable to ripen these grapes.
Where do the most prestigious wines of St-Emilion come from?
The Plateau and the Escarpment.
What are the characteristics of the wines coming from the Plateau & the Escarpment of St-Emilion?
Medium to high tannins, yet soft and rich mouthfeel with complex red berry fruit and plum aromas developing tobacco and cedar notes with age.
How different are the wines of Pomerol, compared to St-Emilion?
The wines of Pomerol tend to be richer with a spicier blackberry fruit character.
Explain “Garage Wine”
-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
Describe Côtes de Bordeaux
- Lesser-known appellations including
- Blaye/Cadillac/Castillon/Francs
- Tend to be Merlot-based, intended for early consumption.
