what french law was implemented in 1855?
Classifications in Bordeaux
what french wine law implemented in 1933
Appellation d’Origine Controlee (AOC)
who is AOC governed by?
powerful INAO = Institut National des Appellation d’Origine
Bordeaux vs Burgundy
- Napoleonic code (burgundy) 1855 classification (burgundy)
- burgundy farmer (Negociant) vs Nobleman & exporter Bordeaux
- pinot noir and chard (Burg) vs merlot and cab (Bour)
what are the rivers in Bordeaux
2 rivers Dodogne and Garonne form the Gironde which flows into Atlantic Ocean
where is Claret region from?
Bordeaux
what is the first region to blend?
Bordeaux
what major red varietals in bordeaux used for blending? (5)
cab sav, cab franc, merlot, petit verdot, malbec
what are characteristics of petit verdot grape?
smallest of grapes, pulp has colour
why is cab franc blended for?
young maturation
what do aged wines need to be blended with?
Cab sav
what white wines are used to blend in Bordeaux? (3)
semillion, sav blanc, muscadelle
why blend?
- balance
- vintage variance
- consistency
what is climate in bordeaux?
- north latitude, cooler climate
considered “ maritime”
-milk winters, mild summers, high humidity
what soil type in bordeaux
mostly gravel over limestone
where are lesser quality wines found?
-Entre- Deux Mers
how is bordeaux seperated?
right vs left bank
what is main varietal and soil type in Left bank?
cab sav, gravel over limestone
-where all first growths found
what is main varietal on right bank? soil type
merlot , clay soil
where is Chateaux Petrus?
Pomerol on Right bank
what are vineyards known by in Bordeaux
chateaus- estate under signle ownership
what are the three AOC hieracrhy levels
- generic ex Bordeaux or Bordeaux Superior
- District. ex Entre-Deux-Mers or Haut- Medoc
- Commune- highest appellations within AOC system ex AC Paulliac, AC Pomerol
what is the 1855 Paris Universal exhibition
- Napolean 3 requested ranking of wine so Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce asked negotiants to draw up list
- 61 premier cru divided into 5 ranks
what are the red first growths in Bordeaux
- Ch. Haut Brion (AC Pessac-Leognan) 2. Ch. Lafite (AC Pauillac) 3. Ch. Latour (AC Pauillac) 4. Ch. Margaux (AC Margaux) 5. Ch. Mouton- Rothschild (AC Paillac)
