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France - Bordeaux > Winegrowing Regions of Bordeaux > Flashcards

Winegrowing Regions of Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

Where does winegrowing occurs in the Médoc?

A

On the eastern edge of the Médoc, never more than a dozen km inland from the Gironde

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2
Q

What are the western sections of the Médoc are covered in?

A

Coastal pines—the manmade Landes Forest—that help to shield the region’s vineyards from Atlantic weather and winds

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3
Q

What is the name of the gentle inclines of its gravel in Bordeaux?

A

Croupes

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4
Q

How many AOPs are there in the Médoc? List them.

A

There are 8 AOPs in the Médoc:
(North to south)

Médoc
Haut-Médoc
Saint-Estèphe
Pauillac
Saint-Julien
Listrac-Médoc
Moulis
Margaux

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5
Q

Médoc AOP is typically reserved for wines coming from which part of Médoc?

A

Most challenging vineyard sites—i.e., the Bas-Médoc, those vineyards north of the commune of Saint-Estèphe, where the forest’s ability to buffer Atlantic winds and rain is reduced.

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6
Q

How have Médoc AOP wines have improved in recent decades?

A

With an infusion of Merlot, which performs more ably in the wet, windy clay vineyards of the Médoc’s northern reaches and through vigorous vineyard management

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7
Q

Where are Listrac-Médoc and Moulis located in contrast with the 4 premier appellations of the Médoc?

A

The 4 premier appellations of the Médoc and are adjacent to the Gironde; Listrac-Médoc and Moulis are further inland (concentration of gravel at the water’s edge increases).

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8
Q

Where are the wines labeled Haut-Médoc produced?

A

Wines labeled Haut-Médoc AOP are typically produced to the west (inland/away from the Gironde/behind) of Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, and Saint-Julien, or south of Margaux, with the exception of a small strip of Haut-Médoc land north of Saint-Estèphe.

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9
Q

The small strip of Haut-Médoc land north of Saint-Estèphe is home to which famous unclassified estate of the Médoc?

A

It is home to Château Sociando-Mallet, one of the leading unclassified estates of the Médoc.

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10
Q

What is the name of the Jalle that marks the southern boundary of Saint-Estèphe and divides Château Cos d’Estournel from Pauillac’s Château Lafite-Rothschild?

A

The Jalle de Breuil

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11
Q

What is Saint-Estèphe’s reputation amongst the 4 premier appellations of the Médoc?

A

Saint-Estèphe is frequently dismissed as the Médoc’s least impressive, and its typical style characterized as rustic, aggressive, and sturdy, requiring years to soften.

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12
Q

What trend are we witnessing regarding the plantings in Saint-Estèphe?

A

In a commune with a high proportion of clay, today, the overall percentage of Merlot is growing and the resulting wines can be richer and softer. 40% of the commune’s 1,250 ha are now planted to Merlot.

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13
Q

In which commune are the gravel croupes the deepest?

A

Pauillac

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14
Q

Which commune has the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon planted?

A

Pauillac (it represents 70-80% of the total encépagement, and the most prestigious Pauillac grands vins include 80-95% Cabernet Sauvignon in warm vintages)

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15
Q

Which estate sits on the southern edge of the Pauillac AOC?

A

Château Latour

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16
Q

How would one describe the Pauillac classic style?

A

Power—dark, firm, brooding wines that require years in the cellar to unclench.

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17
Q

What is unique about Saint-Julien AOC regarding the respect of communal boundaries?

A

The Saint-Julien AOP includes the commune of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle as well as a few specific parcels in neighboring Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Pauillac, and Saint-Laurent—parcels that were included among the holdings of châteaux classified in 1855, given dispensation under AOC law to retain the Saint-Julien title even as neighboring vines did not.

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18
Q

What is unique about the proportion of classed vineyards in Saint-Julien AOC?

A

There are eleven classified growths that now control 85% of the commune’s production, the highest proportion of classed vineyards in any Médoc appellation.

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19
Q

How is Saint-Julien AOC’s style generally defined?

A

The Saint-Julien wine style is typically defined by what it is not: elegant without being Margaux, firm without the power of Pauillac.

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20
Q

What is the dominant grape variety in Saint-Julien?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, at home in its deep gravel soils.

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21
Q

How many km of land classified only as Haut-Médoc separates the southern edge of Saint-Julien AOP from the boundary of Margaux?

A

10 km

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22
Q

The Margaux is spread throughout 5 communes. List them.

A

Margaux
Cantenac
Soussans
Arsac
Labarde

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23
Q

How does Margaux differ from the other 3 premier appellations of the Médoc in terms of size, soils and altitude? Expand on the soils.

A

The appellation is broader, typically lower in elevation, and it has a wider diversity of soil. There are shallower gravel beds in Margaux, which result in Cabernet Sauvignon maturing a few days more rapidly here than in Pauillac, but there is also sand, limestone, and clay, particularly as one moves outward from the cluster of great properties in Margaux and Cantenac.

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24
Q

What grape variety dominated the plantings in Margaux?

A

About 65% of the appellation is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon.

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25
Q

Stylistically, how are the wines of Margaux AOC?

A

Stylistically, the wines are often more aromatic and silkier than those produced further north, although they may be a touch lighter in body.

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26
Q

What is the name of the large croupe that shares its western edge with both Saint-Julien and Moulis?

A

The Grand Poujeaux croupe

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27
Q

Which is the northernmost commune between Listrac-Médoc and Moulis?

A

Listrac-Médoc

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28
Q

What basic geographical reality explains the fact that Merlot is on the rise in the AOCs of Listrac-Médoc and Moulis?

A

In both communes, lack of proximity to the Gironde can keep Cabernet Sauvignon from ripening routinely, and Merlot is on the increase.

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29
Q

The region of Graves extends 50 km from the city of Bordeaux along the western bank of the Garonne River down to which commune just south of Sauternes?

A

Langon

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30
Q

Which half of Graves is its most historic zone and the source of its best dry wines, white and red?

A

The northern half of Graves, around the city of Bordeaux itself.

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31
Q

The southern sector of Graves lacks the renown of the north, yet is home to which type of famous appellations?

A

Bordeaux’s top sweet wine appellations, Sauternes and Barsac.

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32
Q

How do the soils change from the northernmost parts of the Graves region to the more southern parts of the region?

A

In the northern sector, croupes of gravel found nearest the city of Bordeaux resemble those of the Médoc. In the south, there is a larger proportion of sand and limestone.

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33
Q

What are the 2 regional AOPs in Graves and what do they respectively produce?

A
  1. Graves AOP: allows dry red and dry white production
  2. Graves Supérieur AOP: authorizes only sweet white production
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34
Q

Most Graves Supérieur AOP wines finish at around how many grams of residual sugar?

A

Most appellation wines finishing around 40-50 g/l of residual sugar.

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35
Q

The use of the regional Graves appellation is a good sign the producer hails from which part of the wider Graves area?

A

South. This is because of the creation of the Pessac-Léognan AOP for the northern sector.

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36
Q

When was the Pessac-Léognan AOC created by the INAO?

A

1987

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37
Q

What percentage of Pessac-Léognan AOC wines are red?

A

80%

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38
Q

What is the Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot split like in Pessac-Léognan AOC?

A

Roughly even (50/50). For example, Château Haut-Brion, alone among the first growths, actually has more Merlot than Cabernet planted!

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39
Q

Sauternes’ vineyards are situated near the confluence of which two rivers?

A

The Ciron and the Garonne

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40
Q

When noble rot attacks the grape, it permeates the skin and dehydrates it, so that which 3 contents of the grape are heightened?

A

Sugar, acidity, and glycerol content are heightened.

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41
Q

Scientific name for noble rot?

A

Botrytis cinerea

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42
Q

How many tries are conducted in an average year by modern Sauternes estates?

A

3-4 tries

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43
Q

What happened during the 1974 at Château d’Yquem that is a testament to their devotion to quality?

A

Château d’Yquem famously conducted 11 tries over ten weeks in 1974, only to reject the final wine.

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44
Q

List the 5 small communes that make up the Sauternes AOC.

A

Sauternes
Bommes
Fargues
Preignac
Barsac (largest in terms of production)

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45
Q

Can producers in Barsac choose to label their wines under the Sauternes AOC?

A

Yes they can and most do choose the more recognizable Sauternes instead of the Barsac AOC.

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46
Q

If producers from either appellation (Sauternes or Barsac AOP) choose to produce dry white wines, a growing fad and a growing economic necessity, they are limited to using which AOP?

A

Bordeaux AOP, as the communes of Sauternes are excluded from the boundaries of Graves.

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47
Q

Can producers making sweet white wines under the Cérons AOP produce dry white and dry red wines under the Graves AOC?

A

Yes, unlike producers in Sauternes.

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48
Q

Why do most growers in the Cérons AOC make dry wines despite having the potential to rival Barsac?

A

Growers here generally lack the inclination or the funds necessary to make great botrytized wine in the style of Sauternes. New oak and tries successives run up the bills, and the risks are great. Botrytis develops less reliably than in Sauternes, permitted yields are higher, and the resulting wines are less concentrated.

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49
Q

List the formal 10 AOPs of the Right bank.

A

Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Lussac-Saint-Émilion
Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion
Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOP
Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion
Pomerol
Lalande-de-Pomerol
Fronsac
Canon-Fronsac

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50
Q

Can the formal 10 AOPs of the Right bank produce white wines?

A

No, all of it is red.

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51
Q

What is the elevation like on the right bank?

A

The land climbs slowly as one moves inland, reaching elevations around 90 meters at the right bank’s highest points. (In the Médoc it is rare for vineyards to surpass 15-30 meters in elevation.)o

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52
Q

What is the climate like on the right bank and are spring and fall frosts a concern?

A

The right bank is drier, with greater temperature swings from summer to winter. Spring and fall frosts are a graver concern.

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53
Q

How do the soils of the right bank differ from that of the Médoc?

A

The alluvial gravel deposits that typify the great vineyards of the Médoc and Graves are much less common in the right bank. While there is gravel in Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, cool clay and calcareous clay soils are widespread throughout the right bank.

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54
Q

What is the general encépagement throughout the right bank?

A

Around 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc

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55
Q

Advantages of Merlot on the right bank vs Cabernet Franc

A

Merlot ripens easily in the right bank’s cooler, clay-riddled soils
Generally more adaptable
Less susceptible to disease
More evenly ripening, and longer-lived than Cabernet Franc.

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56
Q

What does Cabernet Franc lends to typical right bank blends?

A

It stands in for the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon in right bank blends and tempers the fruitcake and jam of Merlot with brighter acidity and restrained alcohol.

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57
Q

Throughout the core appellations of the right bank, white wines can merit which appellations?

A

Throughout the core appellations of the right bank, white wines only merit the basic Bordeaux AOP.

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58
Q

What is the difference in average estate size in the Médoc VS on the right bank?

A

In the expansive Médoc and Graves château properties can easily amass 60 or 80 hectares of vines; in the right bank even the largest estates rarely exceed 20 or 25 ha.

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59
Q

What trend are we observing in terms of property ownership and average domaine size on the right bank?

A

Estates on the right bank are consolidating in ownership, and domaines are growing in size. ((the commune’s (Saint-Émilion) average domaine size has doubled from 3.5 ha to seven in two decades’ time))

60
Q

Subsequent to the surprise omission of Christian Moueix’s 11-hectare Château Magdelaine from the 2012 Saint-Émilion Classification, what announcement was made?

A

That its vineyards would be united with Moueix’s Bélair-Monange as a consolidated 23.5-hectare premier grand cru classé property.

61
Q

Which AOP in all of Bordeaux has the highest percentage of Chinese-owned estates?

A

Fronsac

62
Q

The garagiste movement is closely associated with which bank in Bordeaux?

A

The Right Bank

63
Q

The garagiste movement, that rapidly swelled in the 1990s but has subsided in recent years, was sparked by which property in Saint-Émilion?

A

Valandraud

64
Q

What is a vin de garage?

A

Vins de garage are small-production, low-yielding, extracted efforts that undergo severe selections and luxuriate in new oak. They are triumphs of technique typically produced from mediocre soils in lesser sectors of Bordeaux’s famous appellations.

65
Q

How could one describe the place of vins de garage in the landscape of terroir?

A

They are the antithesis of terroir

(as they are triumphs of technique typically produced from mediocre soils in lesser sectors of Bordeaux’s famous appellations.)

66
Q

The city of Saint-Émilion and its surrounding vineyards were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in what year?

A

1999

67
Q

Nine communes in total produce Saint-Émilion AOP wine between which two rivers?

A

Between the Dordogne (S) and Barbanne (N)

68
Q

What are the most historic growing areas of Saint-Émilion itself?

A

On the slopes, or côtes, of the limestone plateau near the commune of Saint-Émilion itself.

69
Q

What is the soil like atop the famous Saint-Émilion plateau and what grape do they reward?

A

Cool clay soils atop the plateau reward the early-ripening Merlot

70
Q

Where are most of Saint-Émilion’s classified estates? surround the medieval town at the core of the appellation.

A

They surround the medieval town at the core of the appellation.

71
Q

Where is Pomerol in relationship to the plateau?

A

The gravelly terrace of Pomerol is on the northwestern sector of the plateau.

72
Q

Where does topsoil shifts from clay to warmer gravel around Saint-Émilion and how does it impact the grapes grown here?

A

On the northwestern sector of the plateau, the topsoil shifts from clay to warmer gravel and the proportion of Cabernet Franc rises.

73
Q

List 2 great properties with substantial plantings of Cabernet Franc sitting on the small graves zone, on Saint-Émilion’s perimeter.

A

Château Figeac
Château Cheval Blanc (a property that often blends more Cabernet Franc than Merlot into the grand vin)

74
Q

Every single premier grand cru classé estate of Saint-Émilion is situated in one or the other of 2 zones. Which ones?

A

Both the côtes and the graves zones.

75
Q

What happens to the soils and the potential for viticulture as the vineyards flatten at the base of the côtes of Saint-Émilion and fan out into a wide plain along the Dordogne?

A

The soils turn sandier, and the wines become lighter and more forgettable. Those vineyards closest to the river may only apply the regional appellation, Bordeaux AOP.

76
Q

When were Saint-Émilion AOP and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP introduced?

A

Saint-Émilion AOP 1936
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP 1954

77
Q

What are the requirements for Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP?

A

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP wines must be estate-bottled, have lower maximum yields and a longer élevage required.

78
Q

What is the difference in terms of geographic boundaries and actual location of the estates for both the Saint-Émilion AOP and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP?

A

While the two AOPs share exact geographic boundaries, most Grand Cru estates are located on the limestone côtes and plateau rather than in the river plain.

79
Q

From 1954 to 1984, how many AOCs were there for Saint-Émilion? How many are there today?

A

From 1954 to 1984, there were 4 separate AOCs (Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé and Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé were separate AOCs, introduced alongside Saint-Émilion Grand Cru in 1954!) for Saint-Émilion;

Today, there are 2. (Saint-Émilion AOP and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP, the other 2 did not comply with the EU definition of an appellation and were eliminated)

80
Q

Approximately how many producers farm the 800 hectares of grapes of Pomerol?

A

150 producers

81
Q

Pomerol is encircled by which 2 rivers?

A

The Isle and the Barbanne

82
Q

Which village AOC takes the award for the smallest “village” appellation in Bordeaux?

A

Pomerol

83
Q

Is the soil profile across the small Pomerol AOP constant?

A

Not at all

84
Q

How could Pomerol’s soil profile be most simply divided?

A

Pomerol lies on a gently rising plateau composed of 3 separate terraces formed by Ice Age deposits of:
sand (lower level)
gravel (as the plateau slopes upward)
clay (at higher elevation in eastern Pomerol)

85
Q

How does the gravel of Pomerol’s plateau differs from that of the Médoc?

A

The gravel here is more fragmented, less rounded, and shallower than that of the Médoc, but it warms the soil of the plateau and enables the grape to ripen a few days earlier here than in Saint-Émilion.

86
Q

The surface gravels of Pomerol’s plateau are laid over, and often amalgamated with, what type of soil and interweaved with what kind of special deposits that are celebrated by some producers as part of the “magic” of Pomerol’s terroir?

A

They are laid over with clay and interweaved with bands of crasse de fer—iron-rich sand deposits.

87
Q

Where in the highest third terrace is eastern Pomerol’s most pure, water-retaining clay (with some gravel) famously found?

A

At the buttonière (“buttonhole”), an area of deep blue clay at Pomerol’s highest and easternmost point.

88
Q

How large is the buttonière area and which estate is the only one that can claim to be resting entirely within this famous area?

A

20 ha
Château Pétrus

89
Q

The famous buttonière area of Pomerol extends into Saint-Émilion southeast of the Pétrus estate into the vineyards of which Château?

A

Château Cheval Blanc

90
Q

Was in the result of Pétrus being located entirely on top of the famous buttonière in terms of varieties used in their grand vin?

A

Petrus is therefore one of the only great Bordeaux properties to produce a mono-varietal wine: in most years, the grand vin is 100% Merlot.

91
Q

Merlot today makes up about what percentage of the total vineyard area in Pomerol?

A

70%

92
Q

Who is by far Pomerol’s largest producer?

A

Château de Sales

93
Q

Where are most of the great estates of Pomerol clustered?

A

Most of the great estates of Pomerol are clustered at its eastern nucleus, surrounding the church of Pomerol—the commune’s only real landmark—and fanning outward from standard-bearer Petrus, high up on the plateau.

94
Q

As Pomerol has no classification of producers like the other premier appellations of Bordeaux, what is seen as a surprisingly good arbiter of quality potential?

A

Position on the plateau—and therefore, soil quality—is a surprisingly good arbiter of quality potential.

95
Q

Describe what Pomerol wines can taste like at both ends of the style spectrum?

A

Among the treasured wines of Pomerol one can find late-picked, supple, ultra-rich styles seemingly plucked from the New World, and hard-edged, tannic, backward examples that remain steadfastly in the Old.

96
Q

Which river, a tributary flowing south into the Dordogne, separates Fronsac from Lalande-de-Pomerol?

A

The Isle River

97
Q

The best hillside sites in Fronsac are in the communes of… (2)

A

Saillans
La Rivière

98
Q

What grape varieties do best in Fronsac and Canon Fronsac?

A

Merlot and Cabernet Franc are clearly more suitable choices in Fronsac. An encépagement including 80-100% Merlot is not uncommon among the top estates of Fronsac and Canon Fronsac.

99
Q

Which appellation between Fronsac and Canon Fronsac is held in higher regard?

A

Canon Fronsac is typically held in higher regard. With only 300 ha of vines, it is the smaller and more uniform AOP.

100
Q

The best hillside sites of Fronsac can rival those of Canon Fronsac, and they share the same soil profile. What is the soil like?

A

Fronsadais molasse, a mixture of soft limestone and clay. (Vineyards high on the slopes and plateaus have a greater proportion of limestone throughout both appellations.)

101
Q

Largest property in the Fronsac/Canon Fronsac region?

A

Château de La Rivière

102
Q

List 2 top tier of properties in Canon Fronsac.

A

Château Grand-Renouil
Château Gaby

103
Q

List 3 of the best estates in Fronsac today.

A

Château Dalem
Château de La Dauphine
Château Fontenil (Michel Rolland-owned)

104
Q

List the 4 satellite appellations located to the north of Saint-Émilion itself.

A

Lussac-Saint-Émilion AOP
Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion AOP
Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOP
Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion AOP

105
Q

What is the soil like in the 4 satellite appellations of Saint-Émilion?

A

They all inhabit soils similar to those of Saint-Émilion—various combinations of clay, gravel, and limestone.

106
Q

How are topography, harvest timing and grape choice in the 4 satellite appellations of Saint-Émilion different from Saint-Émilion itself?

A

It is hillier and cooler, with harvests occurring after those in Saint-Émilion. Encépagement is similar too; Merlot is the dominant grape.

107
Q

Which AOP produces the greatest volume of wines among the Saint-Émilion satellites?

A

Montagne-Saint-Émilion

108
Q

Which AOP is the smallest Saint-Émilion satellite appellation in both size and production?

A

Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion

109
Q

Can Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion producers choose to label their wines as Montagne-Saint-Émilion?

A

Yes, producers may choose to label their wines as Montagne-Saint-Émilion instead.

110
Q

Which AOP is the northernmost among the Saint-Émilion satellites?

A

Lussac-Saint-Émilion AOP

111
Q

Which AOP has the highest elevation among the Saint-Émilion satellites?

A

Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion AOP—it is therefore one of the last places in the right bank to harvest each year.

112
Q

Lalande-de-Pomerol AOP comprises which 2 communes?

A

Lalande-de-Pomerol
Néac

113
Q

What do the best vineyards of Lalande-de-Pomerol AOP have in common with Pomerol?

A

The appellation’s best vineyards inhabit similar clay and gravel soils, with traces of crasse de fer running beneath them. Merlot dominates here too.

114
Q

What grape variety dominates Entre-Deux-Mers region today?

A

Merlot dominates the region’s vineyards today, destined for Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur AOP wines.

115
Q

What are the soils like in Entre-Deux-Mers and what is the elevation like?

A

The Entre-Deux-Mers AOP itself occupies a weathered limestone plateau overlaid with cool clay and sandy clay soils that rises to 100 meters above sea level—a high elevation for Bordeaux.

116
Q

Why the original endorsement for white grapes in Entre-Deux-Mers?

A

Entre-Deux-Mers is one of the coolest growing areas in the entire Bordeaux region.

117
Q

How are Entre-Deux-Mers AOP white wines like style-wise and market-wise?

A

Entre-Deux-Mers AOP white wines likewise are usually inexpensive and meant for immediate consumption

118
Q

What trend/fashion are we witnessing in Entre-Deux-Mers regarding their choice of grape varieties?

A

Once the key variety, Sémillon has slid in favour of Sauvignon Blanc, with more and more winemakers hewing to fashion and producing pure varietal Sauvignon wines.

119
Q

Entre-Deux-Mers AOP wines from nine communes along the border of which AOP are entitled to carry a geographic designation Haut-Benauge?

A

Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire AOP

120
Q

Is the Haut-Benauge designation strictly permitted for dry white wines?

A

The Haut-Benauge designation may also be applied to off-dry Bordeaux AOP whites from the same area.

121
Q

Does Entre-Deux-Mers’s boundaries overlap either the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux or Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire AOPs?

A

No

122
Q

Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire produces what style of wine?

A

Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire produces dry and sweet white wines, occasionally with a touch of botrytis.

123
Q

Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP produces what style of wine from which dominant grape?

A

Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP is a sweet white wine-only appellation, mandating at least 34 g/l of residual sugar. Sémillon is the appellation’s dominant grape.

124
Q

Producers in the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux region now have the choice of releasing red wines under which AOP?

A

Côtes de Bordeaux AOP

125
Q

Which 3 superior sweet wine appellations lie within the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux?

A

Cadillac
Loupiac
Sainte-Croix-du-Mont

126
Q

How does Cadillac Loupiac and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont differ from Premières Côtes de Bordeaux and the famous Sauternes/Barsac wines in terms of harvest, concentration, etc.?

A

Unlike Premières Côtes de Bordeaux wines, which may be machine-harvested and are typically moelleux rather than truly dessert sweet, the sweet whites of these appellations strive for higher quality.

Hand-harvesting in successive tries is required in all three appellations

Minimum sugar levels are slightly higher

Base yields are lower

Botrytis is typically present but selection is far less rigorous than in Sauternes and Barsac (can’t afford the meticulous attention or the extremely low yields) therefore lower concentration

127
Q

Where is the Graves de Vayres AOP located?

A

A small zone just west of Libourne framed by the Dordogne River, and the larger Sainte-Foy, which is sandwiched between Entre-Deux-Mers AOP and Bergerac that does not overlap the Entre-Deux-Mers AOP

128
Q

What happened to the former Sainte-Foy AOP?

A

It was absorbed into the Côtes de Bordeaux AOP in 2016.

129
Q

The Côtes de Bordeaux AOP comprises 4 disconnected sectors (now mere additional geographic designations with some specific regulations). Which ones?

A
  1. the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux on the western fringe of the Entre-Deux-Mers (Cadillac)
  2. the area adjacent to the eastern borders of the Saint-Émilion and Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion AOPs (Castillon)
  3. a large area between Entre-Deux-Mers and Bergerac (Saint-Foy)
  4. a massive zone north on the eastern bank of the Gironde that conforms exactly to the boundaries of Blaye AOP (Blaye)
130
Q

Main style of wine produced under the Côtes de Bordeaux AOP?

A

Merlot-based red wine production—it is the only style authorized under the broad Côtes de Bordeaux name and represents over 95% of the region’s total output.

131
Q

Some distinctions are preserved through the development of separate regulations for 4 geographic designations: Castillon, Francs, Cadillac, Blaye, and Saint-Foy. Out of these, which ones can produce white as well as red?

A

Castillon and Cadillac (Côtes de Bordeaux and NOT Premières Côtes de Bordeaux) are reserved for red wines subject to more stringent viticultural requirements, while vignerons in Blaye, Francs, and Sainte-Foy have the option to produce white wines as well.

132
Q

Which of the 4 geographic designations of Côtes de Bordeaux is the one that is being the most reinvigorated with new investment as Saint-Émilion winemakers flood the more affordable area with new projects?

A

Castillon

133
Q

Which former “Côtes” was dropped as a geographic designation of the regional Bordeaux appellation?

A

Côtes de Francs (north of Castillon)

134
Q

Can Cadillac AOP and Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP produce red wines along sweet wines?

A

Cadillac AOP and Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP remain as sweet wine appellations, but red wines were dropped from their cahiers des charges. Red wines have to be labeled as Côtes de Bordeaux.

135
Q

What happened to the Premières Côtes de Blaye AOC?

A

It was absorbed into the new Côtes de Bordeaux appellation.

136
Q

What is the impact of the close proximity of Bourg to the Gironde estuary?

A

Close proximity to the estuary reduces the impact of frost and hail while creating one of Bordeaux’s windiest winegrowing areas

137
Q

How does Bourg’s terrain exhibits more varied topography than that of the Médoc or nearby Blaye?

A

It has dramatic hills, limestone cliffs, and sharp ridgelines rising throughout the appellation.

138
Q

Merlot is the key grape in Bourg, making up about two-thirds of the vineyard encépagement, but how is it that Cabernet Sauvignon is its foremost blending partner, occupying about 20% of Bourg’s vineyard acreage?

A

There are some warm pockets of gravel amidst the clay soils and a climate moderated by the Gironde. (Cabernet Sauvignon’s prominent role gives Bourg reds more structure and tannin than those in neighboring Blaye)

139
Q

Which region has the highest concentration of Malbec vines anywhere in Bordeaux (the grape has surged in recent years to account for 10% of total plantings)?

A

Bourg

140
Q

How many ha out of the 4,000 of Bourg AOP are planted with white grapes?

A

25 ha out of 4,000 in the appellation

141
Q

Bourg’s star producer is undoubtedly Château Roc de Cambes. What is the name of the famous vigneron here (+partner)?

A

François (& Emilie) Mitjaville

142
Q

Most planted and second most planted grapes in Blaye?

A
  1. Merlot (dominant)
  2. Cabernet Sauvignon (performs less reliably than in Bourg)
143
Q

Are red or white grapes most grown in Blaye? (in the past VS today)

A

In the past Blaye had more vineyard land devoted to white grapes, for wine and distillation, but the region’s focus today is firmly on red wine production.

144
Q

What are the labelling options for red wines produced in Blaye?

A

Red wines may be labeled either as Blaye AOP or Côtes de Bordeaux AOP, with or without the Blaye geographic designation.

145
Q

How is the Blaye AOP stricter than the Côtes de Bordeaux AOP? (3)

A

Theoretically Blaye AOP is a stricter appellation requiring:

  1. Slightly lower yields
  2. Greater density of planting
  3. Lengthier minimum élevage periods as reds may not be sold until March 31 of the second year after the harvest.
146
Q

Dry white wines from Blaye may be bottled under 2 different AOPs depending on the nature of their blend. Elaborate.

A
  1. Dry white wines composed of the standard Bordeaux complement of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon are released under the Blaye geographic designation of Côtes de Bordeaux AOP (Côtes de Bordeaux - Blaye)
  2. In reflection of the region’s position as a historical crossroads between Charente and Bordeaux, a few rare white blends based on the Cognac grapes Ugni Blanc and Colombard are released as Côtes de Blaye AOP.

France - Bordeaux (9 decks)

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