Pomerol

Question 1

What does the name Pomerol conjure up?

Answer 1

Red wine at its most velvety and sometimes most expensive.

Question 2

Describe the physical layout of Pomerol.

Answer 2

Almost no village center, isolated grand church, small roads, modest houses called château.

Question 3

What is the geological characteristic of Pomerol?

Answer 3

A big gravel bank, slightly rising and falling but remarkably flat overall.

Question 4

What types of soil are found in Pomerol?

Answer 4

Sandy towards Libourne and clay enriched in the east and north.

Question 5

What is the primary grape variety grown in Pomerol?

Answer 5

Merlot.

Question 6

What role does Cabernet Franc play in Pomerol?

Answer 6

A complementary but subordinate role, typically making up only a fifth of the blend.

Question 7

True or False: Pomerol has a classification system for its wines.

Answer 7

False.

Question 8

Who significantly contributed to the rise in quality recognition of Pomerol in the mid-20th century?

Answer 8

Jean-Pierre Moueix.

Question 9

What is the most singular vineyard in Pomerol known for?

Answer 9

Petrus, producing glamorous and long-lived wine.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The most powerful merchant in Bordeaux is _______.

Answer 10

Jean-François Moueix.

Question 11

What is the size of Le Pin vineyard?

Answer 11

Less than 5 acres (3ha).

Question 12

What is unique about the wine produced at Le Pin?

Answer 12

It is made in tiny quantities, resulting in an ‘ultra-wine’ with excess charm.

Question 13

List some of the châteaux that currently fetch the highest prices in Pomerol.

Answer 13

• Clos l’Eglise
• Châteaux Clinet
• L’Eglise-Clinet
• La Fleur de Gay
• La Violette

Question 14

What type of wines do properties on the clays of eastern Pomerol generally produce?

Answer 14

Densest, fleshiest, and most opulent wines.

Question 15

What is a recent development in Pomerol regarding value?

Answer 15

Emergence of great-value junior Pomerol from Lalande-de-Pomerol.

Question 16

What does the average standard of Pomerol wines indicate?

Answer 16

Consistently high quality.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The best Pomerol wines can mature in _______ years.

Answer 17

Five years.

Question 18

What is a characteristic of wines grown on lighter, sandier soils around Libourne?

Answer 18

Less concentrated and dramatic.

Question 19

What changes did Christian Moueix make to Château La Fleur-Pétrus?

Answer 19

Re-engineered it into three separate parcels totaling 46.2 acres (18.7 ha).

Question 20

True or False: Pomerol vineyards are often large and corporate.

Answer 20

False.

Question 21

What is a defining feature of the vineyard boundaries in Pomerol?

Answer 21

Fluid and not exactly reflecting the complexity of the soil.