Bordeaux

Question 1

What is the climate of Bordeaux?

Answer 1

Moderate Maritime

Question 2

What are the climatic influences of Bordeaux?

Answer 2

The gulf stream is warming and extends the growing season. Also bring humidity and rainfall.

Protections from Landes forest and sand dunes.

Question 3

What risks does the heavy rainfall in Bordeaux bring?

Answer 3

Disrupts flowering and fruit set
Promote rot
Dilute flavours at harvest

Question 4

Why is blending common in Bordeaux?

Answer 4

Because of the variability in weather
The different varieties flower and ripen at different times so one bad frost or heavy shower won’t ruin an entire crop.

Question 5

What are the main fruit characteristics of the Haut-Medoc wines?

Answer 5

Blackcurrant fruit and cedar notes from oak

Question 6

What are the communes of the Haut-Medoc?

Answer 6

Saint Estephe
Paulliac
Saint-Julien
Margaux

Question 7

What is the soil type of the left bank?

Answer 7

Gravel

Question 8

What are the 3 soil types of Saint-Emilion?

Answer 8

North plateau - Gravel and limestone
East and South - Clay and limestone
Foot of the escarpment - Sandy

Question 9

What are the fruit characteristics of Saint-Emilion from the south and east?

Answer 9

Red berry fruit and plum, developing cedar and tobacco.

Question 10

How does Pomerol compare to Saint-Emilion?

Answer 10

Pomerol tends to be richer with a spicier, blackberry fruit character

Question 11

What is a Pessac-Leognan white wine like?

Answer 11

Sauvignon blanc and Semillon
Usually some new oak - toasty

Question 12

Where would you find the sweet wines of Bordeaux?

Answer 12

On the banks of the River Garonne and it’s tributary the Ciron.

Question 13

What 2 apellations are for sweet wines in Bordeaux?

Answer 13

Sauternes and Barsac

Question 14

What does each grape add to a sweet Bordeaux blend?

Answer 14

Semillon - Dominant. Think skin, susceptibility to botrytis. Apricot and citrus peel aromas of noble rot.

Sauvignon Blanc - Acidity and fruity aromas.

Muscadelle - Exotic perfume