Left Bank Theory Flashcards
Bordeaux Red Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
- Petit Verdot
- Malbec (Cot)
- Carmenere
Bordeaux White Grapes
- Semillon
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Muscadelle
- Ugni Blanc
- Merlot Blanc
- Colmbard
Bordeaux Vinification
- almost all whites/reds blends [allows hedging on different grapes]
- variety of winemaking styles
- top reds aged small oak barrels
- top whites fermented/matured in new oak [nutty flavor]
What is “Bordeaux Mixture”
-a spray to fight mold/fungus made of: lime, copper sulfate, water
Bordeaux Climate is
- Moderate Maritime Climate
- Gulf Stream from Caribbean = warm current that extends growing season/moderates
- Ocean proximity and rivers moderate [Garrone/Gironde]
- high rainfall and humidity [can suffer from frost/rain hazards]
- spring frosts and excessive rain common problem
- can have large vintage variation
Bordeaux Moderating Factors
- large pine forrest along coast protects from storms
- Garrone/Dordogne rivers
- Gironde estuary
Generic Bordeaux AOPs
Bordeaux AOP Bordeaux Superior AOP Bordeaux Rose AOP Cremant de’ Bordeaux AOP Bordeaux Clairet AOP
Medoc Soils
- Gravel in Haut Medoc, great moisture draining
- Clay in Bas-Medoc (northern shittier Medoc)
Haut Medoc Communes
St Estephe AOP Paullac AOP Saint Julien AOP Margaux AOP Listrac-Medoc Moulis-en-Medoc AOP
St Estephe AOP Style
-more Merlot based from higher % clay among the gravel
Paulliac AOP Style
-gravel topsoil is deepest here, great for cabernet
St-Julien AOP Style
- less output than other communes but most is quality
- typically demonstrate an elegant style.
Margaux AOP Style
- wines are “feminine”
- most classified growths [3rd growth Palmer is stellar]
- many subsoil types
Listrac-Medoc/Moulis-en-Medoc AOP Style
can be the source of good value—especially in better vintages
Graves Soils
- gravelly soils in pessac leognan
- “Boulbenes” in south ( mixture of sand, gravel, light clay)
Graves AOPs
Graves AOP Graves Superior AOP (sweet) Pessac-Leognan AOP Sauternes AOP Barsac AOP Cerones AOP