Varieties of Bordeaux Flashcards
What are the principle grape varieties of Bordeaux?
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Malbec
Petit Verdot
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Muscadelle
What are the principal black grape varieties of Bordeaux?
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Malbec
Petit Verdot
What are the principle white grape varieties of Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Muscadelle
Describe Merlot’s budding and ripening characteristics.
Early Budding
Mid Ripening
What is Merlot susceptible to? How do these affect yields?
Spring frosts due to early budding
Coulure, drought, and botrytis
All of these reduce yields
What is the advantage of using Merlot in Bordeaux?
It ripens before the early autumn rains arrive and also in cooler vintages compared to Cabernet Sauvignon
Where is Merlot the dominant grape?
The Right Bank and the Northern Medoc
What is the benefit of growing Merlot on clay soils in Bordeaux?
It can ripen fully on the cooler soils and the water-holding clay enable the vines to produce large berries typical of Merlot
What does Merlot contribute to Bordeaux wines?
Medium to Pronounced Intensity Fruit
Cool Years: Strawberry, Red Plum, Herbaceous
Warm Years: Cooked Blackberry, Black Plum
Medium Tannins
Medium to High Alcohol
Describe Cabernet Sauvignon’s budding and ripening characteristics.
Late Budding
Late Ripening
What is Cabernet Sauvignon susceptible to?
Fungal disease, esp. powdery mildew, Eutypa, and Esca
Early autumn rains
How does Cabernet Sauvignon’s budding affect its growth?
It gains some protection from spring frosts due to its late budding
Describe the berries of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Small and thick skinned with high tannins
Why does Cabernet Sauvignon need to grow on warm, well-drained soil? Where in Bordeaux is Cabernet Sauvignon best suited?
It is late ripening. In the cooler Bordeaux climate, the warm gravel beds of the Medoc encourage the grapes to ripen.
What does Cabernet Sauvignon contribute to Bordeaux wines?
Pronounced Intensity Violet, Blackcurrant, Black Cherry, Menthol/Herbaceous Flavors
High Acidity
High Tannins
Describe Petit Verdot’s budding and ripening characteristics.
Early Budding
Late Ripening (later than Cab. Sauv.)
How has Petit Verdot’s rudding and ripening characteristics affected its popularity in Bordeaux?
It was unpopular in the past due to its frost vulnerability, risk of not ripening, and potential for exposure to autumn rain.
Due to warmer weather it is more likely to ripen and has become increasingly valued.