Bordeaux

Question 1

Where is Bordeaux located?

Answer 1

Question 2

Bordeaux - primary climate moderators?

Answer 2

• Waterways and Atlantic Ocean
• Gulf Stream current brings warm water up from the Caribbean, keeping weather mild yet humid.

Question 3

What are the major regions in Bordeaux?

Answer 3

Question 4

Which rivers divide Bordeaux?

Answer 4

1. Gironde
2. Dordogne
3. Garrone

Question 5

What characterizes Bordeaux’s historical background and what led to this factor?

Answer 5

Trade in wine among inland areas boomed; England became most important foreign market. In the Mid-1600’s, Dutch merchants looking to expand trade implmented a complex series of channels and drained marshes to make the land more suitable for viticulture.

Question 6

Bordeaux - red grape varieties?

Answer 6

1. 1. Merlot (most widely planted)
2. Cabernet Sauvignon
3. Cabernet Franc
4. Petit Verdot (small quantities)
5. Malbec (allowed but rarely seen today)
6. Carmenere (also allowed bu rarely seen)

Question 7

Bordeaux - white grape varieties?

Answer 7

1. Sauvignon Blanc
2. Semillion
3. Muscadaelle (small quantities)

Question 8

Bordeaux - primary vinification considerations?

Answer 8

Blends of two or more grape varieties in the Bordeaux family.

• Examples of typical wine styles and blends from Bordeaux*
• • Red Wines from Médoc communes (left bank)*
• – 70% Cabernet Sauvignon*
• – 30% Merlot*
• • Red Wines from Saint-Émilion and Pomerol (right bank)*
• – 70% Merlot*
• – 30% Cabernet Franc*
• • Dry White Wines mainly from Graves (Pessac-Léognan)*
• – 80% Sauvignon Blanc*
• – 20% Sémillon*
• • Sweet Wines mainly from Sauternes*
• – 80% Sémillon*
• – 20% Sauvignon Blanc*

Question 9

List the Bordeaux Appellation hierarchy.

Answer 9

1. Regional Appellations (Bordeuax AOP)
2. Sub-Regional or District Appellations
3. Commune Appellations

Question 10

What defines the regional appellation designation in Bordeaux?

Answer 10

• Bordeaux AOP
• Largest appellation in size and production. Grapes can come from anywhere in the entire region.
• An appellation for red and white wines in both sweet and dry styles

Question 11

What defines the Sub-Regional or District Appellations in Bordeaux?

Answer 11

These may be the highest appellations attainable in a particular locale or they may encompass a number of separate commune appellations

– Examples: Haut Médoc AOP and Entre-Deux-Mers AOP

Question 12

What defines the commune appellation designation in Bordeaux?

Answer 12

1. Smallest AOP’s in each region
2. Generally highest quality wine

• Examples: Pauillac, Margaux, Pomerol, Saint Julien, Saint Estephe, St. Emilion

Question 13

Define a Bordeaux château?

Answer 13

A Bordeaux château is an estate under a single ownership. An important note is that the size of an estate can change over time with the sale and purchase of vineyards and land.

Most vineyards in Bordeaux are not known by names attached to specific plots of land, as they are in Burgundy and most other important French wine-growing regions. Instead, Bordeaux vineyards are known by names of châteaux the French word for castles or manor houses. Not all Bordeaux châteaux, however, are as architecturally grand as the word suggests.

Question 14

What is the 1855 Classification?

Answer 14

Napoleon III commission the ranking of Bordeaux’s top chateaux for the Universal Exposition in Paris. Merchants and brokers ranked 61 properties in five tiers: first growth through fifth growth.

First Growth Châteaux of the 1855 Classification

1. Château Lafite-Rothschild
2. Château Latour
3. Château Mouton-Rothschild (elevated to first growth status in 1973)
4. Château Margaux
5. Château Haut-Brion (Graves)

Question 15

Name the first-growths.

Answer 15

1. Chateau Lafite-Rothschild
2. Chateau Latour
3. Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (elevated to 1st growth status in 1973)
4. Chateau Margaux
5. Chateua Haut-Brion (in Graves)

Question 16

Aging wine in __________ containers is a routine practice in Bordeaux.

Answer 16

Barriques (225-liter oak barrels)

Question 17

Where is Médoc located?

Answer 17

North of Bordeaux along the Gironde Estuary.

Question 18

Soil in Medoc?

Answer 18

Gravel

Question 19

Grape varieties in Medoc?

Answer 19

1. Cabernet Sauvignon – based blends
2. Red wines only

Question 20

What are the sub-regions in Medoc?

Answer 20

1. Medoc AOP
2. Haut-Medoc AOP

Question 21

What are the communes in Medoc?

Answer 21

1. Saint-Estephe AOP
2. Pauillac AOP
3. Saint-Julien AOP
4. Margaux AOP

Question 22

Top recent vintages of the Medoc?

Answer 22

Question 23

Where is Graves located?

Answer 23

South of the Medoc; directly south and around city of Bordeaux.

Question 24

Soil in Graves?

Answer 24

Gravel

Question 25

Grape varieties in Graves?

Answer 25

White 1. Sauvignon Blanc 2. Sémillon Red 1. Cabernet Sauvignon 2. Merlot 3. Cabernet Franc

Question 26

What are the sub-regions in Graves?

Answer 26

1. Pessac-Leognan AOP 2. Sauternes AOP

Question 27

Where is Entre-Deux-Mers located?

Answer 27

In between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers.

Question 28

Soil in Entre-Deux-Mers?

Answer 28

Very fertile silt

Question 29

Grape varieties in Entre-Deux-Mers?

Answer 29

White Only 1. Sauvignon Blanc 2. Semillion 3. Muscadalle

Question 30

Entre-Deux-Mers - primary vinification aspects?

Answer 30

1. Dry white wine only 2. Little to no oak; stainless steel 3. Red wines made here fall under Bordeaux AOP

Question 31

What does Entre-Deux-Mers translate to?

Answer 31

"Land between two seas"

Question 32

Where is Saint-Emilion located?

Answer 32

Right bank; along the Dordogne River near town of Libourne.

Question 33

Soil in Saint-Emilion?

Answer 33

Proportions vary depending on location: 1. Large bed of silt, clay, gravel 2. Limestone plateau 3. Sand

Question 34

Grape varieties in Saint-Emilion?

Answer 34

AOP for Red Wines Only: 1. Merlot 2. Cabernet Franc

Question 35

Appellations in Saint-Emilion?

Answer 35

1. Saint-Emilion AOP 2. Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOP - It is an appellation, NOT a classification - Wines have an additional +0.5% alcohol - Must undergo longer aging requirements than just Saint-Emilion AOP

Question 36

How often is the Saint-Emilion classification system revised?

Answer 36

Every 10 years.

Question 37

Where is Pomerol located?

Answer 37

Along Dordogne River, near town of Libourne; northwest of Saint-Emilion. Only 3 square miles!

Question 38

Soil in Pomerol AOP?

Answer 38

1. Sand 2. Clay 3. Gravel 4. Subsoild of iron pan and rich clay

Question 39

Grape varieties in Pomerol?

Answer 39

1. Merlot 2. Cabernet Franc-based blends