Bordeaux

Question 1

Natural factors of Bordeaux

Answer 1

1. moderate maritime climate –> Gulf Stream
   2.Landes Forest –> coastal sand dunes, protect the worst of Atlantic Storm
2. high level of rainfall and humidity = vintage variation + blending + harvest timing

Question 2

what soil does Cabernet Sauvignon use?

Answer 2

gravel and high stone

Question 3

What soil does Merlot use?

Answer 3

clay soil

Question 4

what is the litre of the barriques?

Answer 4

225L

Question 5

what are the human factors?

Answer 5

1. canopy management
2. Vertical-shoot Positioning = maximum sun exposure + air circulation
3. risky to relay on one variety = need blending

Question 6

What is special about Entre-Deux-Mers AOC?

Answer 6

• white wine
• their red wine must be generic appellation (Bordeaux AOC)
• tend to be unoaked style

Question 7

What does Bordeaux Rose call?

Answer 7

Bordeaux Rose & Bordeaux Clairet

Question 8

Describe the climate in Left Bank Bordeaux and how it affects the ripening process.

Answer 8

1. moderate maritime climate
2. benefit from warm ocean current –> Atlantic ocean bring high levels of rainfall and humidity
3. rain falls throughout the year disrupt flowering, fruit set and dilute flavours in the grape after harvest

Question 9

Why the wine can be sold at a premium price?

Answer 9

1. Premieur Grand Cru Classes –> first 5 under 1885 classification
2. premium site with gravel/clay soil –> achieve consistency level of ripeness
3. advanced equipment / wine making techniques –> new oak barrels maturation
4. high ageing potential depends on the vintage.

Question 10

Why Bordeaux use blending (Climate & Stylistic reason)

Answer 10

Climate:
- moderate maritime climate with rainfall throughout the year
- lower yield of one variety, grapes struggle to ripen
- reliable source of grapes can only be ensured by blending
Eg. humid: CS struggle to ripen, Merlot: easy to achieve

Stylistic reason:
- blending reflect the style of wine being made
- CS: tannin, body, black fruit
- Merlot: softness, fruitiness, texture
- Cabernet Franc: vibrant fruits and floral notes to the blend

Natural factors:
- soil in Bordeaux is not quite diverse. Eg. Cabernet Sauvignon is more suitable on stone/gravel // Merlot is better on cooler clay soil

Question 11

Cabernet Sauvignon is planted in many different countries, why?

Answer 11

1. grape variety with abundance of flavour and tannin = Good: more expressive complex flavours with age
2. Can produce intense flavour with high tannin (except cool region)
3. Warm climate: can make high volume wine with concentrated flavour
4. CS tannin and acidity = blending partner with many different grape varieties
5. CS = classic grape of Haut Medoc = long lived wine. Many classic regions outside Europe produce both singlet varietal and blended style.

Question 12

What degree will you serve d’Yquem?

Answer 12

well chilled, 6-8 degree.