What are some key points of Côtes de Bordeaux?
- Debuted in 2008
- Is a dry red only AOC
- Fruit can come from any of the old AOCs
- 4 sub-regional deisignations were added, they can be:
- red
- dry
- white
- liqureux
BDX: What are the need to know AOCs of Libournais?
and their soils?
- Fronsac
- Canon-Fronsac
- Clay and limestone - Pomeral
- Lalande de Pomerol
- Iron rich clays ad and gravels - St. Emilion
- St. Emilion Grand Cru
- St. Georges-St. Emilion
- Lussac - St. Emilion
- Montagne - St. Emilion
Puisseguin - St. Emilion
- Clay and limestones
- Sand along river
- Pockets of iron-rich Pomerol soil
BDX:
What are the need to know AOCs of Entre-Deux-Mers?
- Entre-deux-Mers = dry white
- Entre-deux-Mers-Haut-Benavage = dry white
- Bordeaux-Haut-Benauage = dry, semi-sweet whites
- Cadillac = sweet
- Loupiac = sweet
- St-Croix-du-Mont = sweet
- St-Foy-Bordeaux = red, dry, semi-sweet
- Graves de Vayres = red, dry, semi-sweet
- Côtes de Bordeaux St-Macaire = dry, semi-sweet, sweet
- Premiers Côtes de Bordeaux = semi-sweet
- Cadillac - Côtes de Bordeaux = red
BDX:
What are the need to know AOCs in Graves/Sauternes? (4)
- Pessac-Leognan AOC
- Northern part of Graves
- great Cab Sauvs
- whites = SB/Sem that see some oak - Sauternes AOC
- 5 Communes
- - Sauternes, Fargues, Bommes, Preignac, Barsac
- - Sweet wine AOC - Barsac
- only sweets labelled Barsac - Cerons AOC
- Only sweets bottled as Cerons AOC
- dry whites = Graves or Bdx AOC
- semi-sweet = Graves Superieur
BDX:
What are the need to know AOCs of the Medoc?
North - South
- St Estephe = well structured, tough tannins
- Pauillac = dusty, cocoa-like tannins
- St-Julien = most californian
- Listrac-Medoc = highest point in the Medoc
- Moulis = half way between St Julien and Margaux
- Margaux = Most feminine and most perfumed
What are the differences between red/white Bdx and Bdx Superieur?
- Superieur
- must adhere to stricter prodction standards
- lower yields
- higher alcohol levels
- reds must age for 9 months
- whites must be Moelleux
- *no dry whites bdx superieur - Bordeaux AOC
- higher yields
- lower alcohol
- dry white
How is crémant bdx made?
- Made in traditional method
- SB, Ugni Blanc, Sem, Colombard, Muscadelle
+ any permitted red grapes - Must age for 9 months sur lie
BDX:
How does rosé and Clairet differ?
Rosé:
- shorter maceration period
Clairet:
- darker in colour (semi-red)
- longer maceration
- Both are made in the saignée method
BDX:
How does soil impact the wine/style?
- Soil + Grape Variety = Blend/Wine Style
Merlot - clay soil (cool soil)
Cab Franc - limestone soil (cool soil)
Cab Sauv - gravel + sand (warm soil)
What 4 factors help regulate temperature in Bordeaux?
- Gulf Stream
- Les Landes (man made forrest)
- Gironde River (tidal up to 75 miles)
- Garonne + Dordogne
What is the difference between Cru Artisan and Cru Bourgeois?
Cru Artisan:
- recognises boutique wineries of quality
- it is a classification system
Cru Bourgeois:
- it isn’t a classification system
- Domaines are represented by the Allliance des Crus Bourgeois
How does gravel, sand, clay, limestone affect Bordeaux wine?
Gravel:
- more tannic/structured wines
Sand:
- more fruit forward
Clay:
- notes of prune and walnut
Limestone:
- pronounced acidity and lean tannins
What white grapes are grown in Bordeaux?
- Semillon
- Sauv B
- Muscadelle
- Colombard
- Ugni Blanc
- Chenin Blanc
- Merlot Blanc
- Mauzac
- Ondenc
How often is St Emilion system revised?
What levels are on the system?
How does it differ from the AOC?
- Revised every 10 years
- Premiers Grand Crus Classés A Level
Premiers Grand Crus Classés B Level
Grand Crus Classés - The AOCs are named:
- St Emilion AOC
- St Emilion Grand Cru AOC
How is the Graves Classification structured?
Ranked ine from 16 properties in 1953
- 3 for white only
- 6 for red and white
- 7 for red only
- All wines fall under Pessac Leognan AOC
- they can use “Grand Cru Classé de Graves”
What red varieties are grown in Bordeaux - their soil preference
- Merlot - clay
- Cab Franc - limestone
- Cab Sauv - gravel/sand
- Cot
- Petit Verdot
- Carmenere (sweet spice)
BDX:
What are the need to know AOCs of the Cotes (coast / slope)?
- Premieres Cotes de Bdx = semi-sweet
- Cotes de Bdx-St. Macaire = dry, semi-sweet, sweet
- Francs-Cotes-de-Bdx = dry, sweet (liquoreux)
- Castillon-Cotes de Bdx = red
- Blay = red
- Cadillac-Cotes de Bdx = red
- Cotes de Bourg + Bourg = red, dry white
- Blaye-Cotes de Bdx = red, dry white
- cotes de Blaye = dry white (made from Colombard and Ugni Blanc
