Left Bank: Medoc

Question 1

Where is the Medoc AOP located?

Answer 1

The left bank of the Gironde Estuary, 50-mile stretch Northward from the city of Bordeaux.

Question 2

What chateaux use the Medoc AOP on their labels?

Answer 2

Ones that don’t qualify for a more precise appellation, namely those located in the marshy region north of St-Estephe.

Question 3

How much land in the Medoc is planted to white grapes?

Answer 3

123 acres

Question 4

What grapes are more likely used in the Bas-Medoc compared to the Haut-Medoc?

Answer 4

Bas-Medoc wines are more likely made with Merlot, as this grape performs better in the clay-heavy soils located here.

Question 5

What makes the Haut-Medoc so conducive to Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 5

Well-drained gravelly soils

Question 6

Who was responsible for commissioning the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux?

Answer 6

Emperor Napoleon III

Question 7

What is the only Chateau from outside the Medoc that was included in the 1855 Classification? Where is it located?

Answer 7

Chateau Haut-Brion, in Graves

Question 8

What is the main difference between classification of Bordeaux versus Burgundy?

Answer 8

In Bordeaux, the Chateaux are classified; in Burgundy, the vineyards themselves carry the classification.

Question 9

What year was the 1855 Classification changed? What happened?

Answer 9

1973, Baron Philippe de Rothschild got Chateau Mouton Rothschild elevated from 2nd growth to 1st after years of lobbying

Question 10

What other designations mark Chateaux of quality in Bordeaux?

Answer 10

Cru Artisan and Cru Bourgeois

Question 11

Northernmost commune of Haut-Medoc, producing sturdy and full-bodied reds with a slightly higher percentage of Merlot, due to a higher proportion of clay amongst the gravel.

Answer 11

St-Estephe

Question 12

How many classified growths are located in St-Estephe? What is the most notable?

Answer 12

It hosts only five classified growths, the most notable of which is the “Super-Second,” Chateau Cos d’Estournel, making powerful wines in a polished modern style.

Question 13

What appellation in Haut-Medoc is considered classic claret? What are its most notable Chateaux?

Answer 13

Pauillac AOP, it hosts three 1st growths; Lafita, Mouton, and Latour

Question 14

What AOP produces less wine than the other communes, yet retains great quality?

Answer 14

St-Julien AOP, approx. 80%. Of the AOP is “Cru Classe” wine.

Question 15

What are the most notable Chateaux in St-Julien?

Answer 15

Although there are no 1st growths, it contains five 2nd growths:

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Question 16

What are the possible wine types of Bordeaux AOP?

Answer 16

Red, white, rose or “Clairet” (a darker, more aromatic style of rose that evokes the original claret wines shipped to England in the Middle Ages)

Question 17

What are the six grapes allowed for Red Bordeaux AOP wines?

Answer 17

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carmenere

Question 18

What is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux?

Answer 18

Merlot

Question 19

What differentiates Merlot from other red grapes of Bordeaux?

Answer 19

It is the earliest to ripen, prefers clay-based soils, as they delay its natural vigor.

Question 20

What soils do Cabernet Sauvignon thrive in? Why?

Answer 20

Well-drained gravel, it allows the vine’s root system to dig deeply while slight water stress adds concentration to the fruit.

Question 21

What soils are difficult for Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen in?

Answer 21

colder limestone and clay soils

Question 22

What soils are best for Cabernet Franc? Why?

Answer 22

limestone-based soils, they promote acidity and freshness in wines

Question 23

Why do Bordeaux estates tend to blend their grapes?

Answer 23

It gives Chateaux insurance, as well as providing balance and complexity to the resulting wine.

Question 24

What does Cabernet Sauvignon contribute to Bordeaux blends?

Answer 24

It is highly pigmented and tannic, giving structure, power and longevity

Question 25

What does Merlot contribute to Bordeaux blends?

Answer 25

a fleshy, juicy, texture that can soften the austerity of Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 26

What does Cabernet Franc contribute to Bordeaux blends?

Answer 26

It is more tannic than Merlot, bus less muscular or weighty than Cabernet Sauvignon, imparting herbal spice and red fruit aromatics

Question 27

What grapes dominate left bank blends? Right bank?

Answer 27

Cabernet Sauvignon, about two thirds of the blend in the left bank.

Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the main players in right bank blends.

Question 28

Where is Petit Verdot most commonly used? Why?

Answer 28

On the left bank, this inky, late-ripening variety is used in minute quantities to add color, depth, and exotic perfume

Question 29

What is Malbec referred to on the right bank?

Answer 29

Pressac

Question 30

What grapes are commonly used in Bordeaux AOP white blends?

Answer 30

Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle; Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc, and Colombard are restricted to a maximum of 30%.

Question 31

What does Sauvignon Blanc offer in Bordeaux blends?

Answer 31

Pungency, high acidity, and citrus flavors

Question 32

What is the complementary grape for Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux?

Answer 32

Semillon

Question 33

What textural element helps to define White Bordeaux?

Answer 33

Creamy, waxy texture

Question 34

What unique aromas are found in White Bordeaux?

Answer 34

Honey and beeswax

Question 35

How is muscadelle used in White Bordeaux?

Answer 35

Sparingly, as its lovely, intense floral character can quickly overtake the wine’s balance