LB Bordeaux - Law/Overview Flashcards
Bordeaux’s climate…
Maritime
Warm summers and cool mild winters
LONG growing season
No significant diurnal shifts
More rain than any other major French reason
High humidity (Good for Sauternes, bad for Reds)
What moderates and has the strongest influence on Bordeaux’s climate?
Proximity to water (Atlantic, Gironde, etc.)
“Atlantic Gulf Stream” brings warm waters up from the Caribbean which moderates regions temps.
Bordeaux falls into what category of the Winkler Scale?
Region II
What are the original 6 Red Bordeaux varietals?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Petit Verdot
Malbec
Carmenere
Which three white varietals are accessory grapes and make up the lowest plantings in Bordeaux?
Ugni Blanc
Merlot Blanc
Colombard
How many new varietals were approved for Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur?
6 NEW VARIETALS approved in 2019
4 Red and 2 White
Not major grapes, intended for blending
First plantings to start in 2021
Bordeaux:
New Varietals
(6)
Marselan (R)
Touriga Nacional (R)
Castets (R)
Arinarnoa (R)
Alvarinho (W)
Liliorila (W)
New Red Varietals:
Marselan
French crossing developed in 1961
Cabernet Sauvignon x Grenache
New Red Varietals:
Touriga Nacional
Indigenous varietal of Portugal
Late ripening
Similar characteristics to Cabernet Sauvignon
New Red Varietals:
Castets
Indigenous French heritage varietal
VERY little left planted in France
New Red Varietals:
Arinarnoa
French crossing created in 1956
Cabernet Sauvignon x Tannat
New White Varietals:
Alvarinho
Indigenous to Spain
Albarino (Galicia) and Alvarinho (Vinho Verde)
AROMATIC, bone dry, high acid
New White Varietals:
Liliorila
French crossing created in 1956 (Like Arinarnoa)
Baroque x Chardonnay
Low acid, powerful and aromatic
What is the most planted varietal in both Bordeaux, and all of France?
Merlot
Merlot Parentage
Cab Franc x Magdeleine Noire des Charentes
Merlot varietals name is derived from what French term?
Merle (meaning “Blackbird”)
What is the second most planted Bordeaux varietal?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Thick skinned varietal (resists rot/rain)
High phenolics and color
Cabernet Sauvignon Parentage
Cabernet Franc x Sauvignon Blanc
What is the third most planted red Bordeaux varietal?
Cabernet Franc
Rarely dominates blends
Higher yields compared to Cab Sauv with less body
Vegetal aromas and matures quickly
Cabernet Franc Parentage
Unconfirmed
Linked to Hondarribi Beltza and Morenoa varietals of Spain (Basque)
Cabernet Franc is called what on the Right Bank?
Bouchet
What Bordeaux varietal originated in the Lot River Valley (Cahors)?
Malbec
Very limited plantings and decreasing
Malbec Parentage
Prunelard x Magdeleine Noire des Charentes
What are the additional names for the Malbec varietal?
Cahors = “Cot”
Right Bank = “Pressac Noir”
When and where did Malbec appear first in Bordeaux?
1730’s on the Right Bank
Grower named Malbec brought it to the left bank
Which red bordeaux varietal is non existent on the right bank?
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot translates to what, and what does its name refer to?
“Little Green”
Refers to its difficult to grow
How is Petit Verdot used in Bordeaux blends?
Added in very small amounts to add color, alcohol, and tannin
Rarely exceed 5% of blend
What is the most planted WHITE varietal of Bordeaux?
Semillon
Dominant varietal in the blends for sweet wines
Why is Semillon a great varietal for dessert wines?
Thin skinned, leaving it prone to botrytis
When used in dry white wines, what does Semillon add to the blend?
Rich and waxy texture
Helps balance out the pungent aromas and high acid of Sauvignon Blanc
Which white varietal typically makes up the majority of the blend for DRY white wines?
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc Parentage
Traminer x Unconfirmed