The Left Bank: Graves Flashcards
The wines of Graves have a longer history than those of the ___
Médoc
While the land to the north was still unworkable, disease-ridden swampland, Graves wines were-
successfully exported to England
Samuel Pepys famously noted “Ho-Bryan” in 1663 as the first recorded example of what?
a “name brand” château
What remains the first identifiable vineyard estate in the region?
Château Pape-Clément, a papal gift awarded to Bordeaux in 1305
In Graves, the soil is similar to the Médoc but becomes what?
sandier toward the south
This mixture of sand, gravel and light clay is known as what?
boulbenes
Unlike the Médoc appellations, both red and dry white wines may be labeled as what?
Graves AOP
White wine accounts for approximately __% of production.
25
, Apart from the inclusion of Château Haut-Brion among the first growths of the Médoc, Graves wines were first classified when?
in 1953, with 6 additional wines added in 1959
How many estates are now classified cru classé?
13 for red wines, and 9 for whites (16 châteaux in total)
Although 16 châteaux are classified as cru classé, what houses no longer produce?
- Château La Tour Haut-Brion (classified for red wine) produced its final vintage in 2005
- Château Laville Haut-Brion (classified for white wine) produced its final vintage in 2008
Château La Tour Haut-Brion and Château Laville Haut-Brion now supply fruit for what?
A 2nd red wine and a new white wine under the Château La Mission Haut-Brion label
What was created in 1987?
The communal sub-appellation Pessac-Léognan AOP
What did Pessac-Léognan AOP effectively become?
effectively becoming the prestige appellation for both red and dry white wines in the North while sidelining southern Graves
All cru classé properties are located within the communes of Pessac-Léognan AOP, name them!
Pessac Léognan Cadaujac Canéjan Gradignan Martillac Mérignac Saint-Médard-d'Eyrans Talence Villenave-d'Ornons
Sweet whites may be produced throughout Graves as what?
Graves Supérieur AOP
What 3 smaller sweet wines appellations exist?
Cérons, Barsac, and Sauternes
What is pourriture noble?
Botrytis cinerea—the noble rot
Due to the unique climactic conditions of Sauternes and Barsac (and to a lesser extent Cérons) the Botrytis mold does what?
may attack the grapes, dehydrating them so that sugar, acidity, and glycerol content are heightened
Sauternes lies at the conflux of what rivers?
the Ciron and Garonne rivers
In promising years cool morning mists blow off the Ciron and encounter what?
the warmer waters of the Garonne, producing autumn afternoon humidity perfect for incubating the Botrytis spores
Why are tries through the vineyard required in Sauternes?
noble rot is fickle and does not attack grapes evenly, requiring the producer to pick the grapes individually, in separate trips
What was classified alongside those of the Médoc in 1855, and were divided into second growths and first growths?
The wines of Sauternes
What one château achieved the rank of Premier Cru Supérieur?
Château d’Yquem
