Claret
The term for Red Bordeaux in England
What is the history of Bordeaux’s success?
- English control of Bordeaux (100 years)
- Proximity to major port city
- Largest top-quality region of France
- Quantity of Quality
- Produces more than any wine-producing country on Earth
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
- Atlantic coastline
- temperate-maritime
- (not too hot or too cold)
What are the top white grapes of Bordeaux?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
What are the top red grapes of Bordeaux?
- Merlot
- Cab Sauv
What are the top regions of Bordeaux?
- Left Bank
- Medoc
- Haut-Medoc
- Graves
- Right Bank
- Pomerol
- Saint-Emilion
- Entre-Deux-Mers
Dessert wine from Bordeaux
Sauternes
Describe Sauv Blanc from Bordeaux
- Dry
- Acidic
- Stainless steel or neutral oak
- Left Bank and Entre-Deux-Mers
Semillon from Bordeaux
- Dominant white grape in botrytised, sweet wines
- full body
- honey
- rich character
Cabernet Sauv from Bordeaux
- Left Bank: main grape in blends
- Tannin
- Structure
- Right Bank: used to make Merlot or Cabernet-Franc more robust
Merlot from Bordeaux
- Native to Bordeaux
- Most widely planted and important grape
What are some other notable grapes used in Bordeaux?
- Muscadelle
- Cabernet Franc
- Malbec
- Petit Verdot
- Carmenere
What rivers flow through the Bordeaux region?
The Dordogne River and Garonne River feeds the Gironde estuary which empties into the Atlantic.
Describe the Left Bank of Bordeaux
- SW of Gironde estuary and Garonne River
- Soil: Gravel and Sand (erosion of mtns)
- Slightly Cooler than Right Bank
- Perfect for Cab Sauv
What are the winemaking regions and the important subregions located in the Left Bank?
- Medoc
- Haut-Medoc
- Margaux
- Pauillac
- Saint-Estephe
- Saint-Julien
- Listrac
- Moulis
- Graves
- Pessac-Leognan
Where is Pauillac and what are its premier crus?
- Commune in Haut-Medoc
- Three Premier Cru estates:
- Chateau Latour
- Chateau Lafite-Rothschild
- Chatea Mouton-Rothschild
- Powerful, full-flavored wines
Describe the soil in Graves and the AOC in Graves
- Terroir is ideal for top-quality red AND white
- Gravelly soil
- Pessac-Leognan AOC
Where is Pessac-Leognan and its main grape
- AOC of Graves
- Cabernet Sauv (softer, blended with Merlot)
Which wines were ranked in the 1855 Classification or are considered “first growth” wineries?
- Pauillac:
- Chatea Lafite-Rothschild
- Chateau Latour
- Chateau Mouton-Rothschild
- Graves/Pessac Leognan
- Chateau Haut-Brion
- Margaux
- Chateau Margaux
What was the Premier Grand Cru Classifcation of 1855 for sweet wines?
Chateau d’Yquem in Sauternes
What is the Cru Borgeois system?
- 1930s
- Medoc
What does Cru Classe mean?
- 1950s
- Estates in Graves
What are the main regions/soil of the Right Bank?
- Pomerol
- Saint-Emilion
- More clay
- Holds onto moisture + provides fertile conditions
Describe Pomerol
- Right Bank of Bordeaux
- Smallest Commune = High Prices
- Merlot
- Soft, lush fruit, less tannin than Left Bank
- Chateau Petrus is a top estate/expensive
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