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Flashcards in France - Bordeaux Deck (186)
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1
Q

Where is Bordeaux Located?

A

Bordeaux is located in southwestern france, and is named after the 4th largest city in France, Bordeaux

2
Q

What are the two major areas of Medoc

A
  • Bas - Medoc ( Lower)

- Haut-Medoc (Upper)

3
Q

Wines labeled “Appellation Mèdoc Controlèe were made from what part of Mèdoc?

A

Châteaux in Bas-Mèdoc

4
Q

What is the dominant grape of Mèdoc

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

5
Q

What are the two main red wines used to blend with Cabernet Sauvignon left bank wines?

A
  • Cabernet Franc: used to soften the tannin structure and to add herbaceous and aromatic notes
  • Merlot: used to soften tannins and add ripe fruit Characteristics
6
Q

True or False

Haut - Medoc is not a sub region of Mèdoc?

A

False

7
Q

True or False

Haut Medoc has the more superior type of soil than the rest of Medoc?

A

True

8
Q

How are high quality wines from Haut Medoc labeled?

A

Appellation Haut-Medoc Contrôlèe

Note:
Are often high quality wines

9
Q

What are the 4 communes of Haut - Medoc?

A

From north to south

  • St. Estèphe
  • Pauillac
  • St. Julien
  • Margaux

Note:

These 4 AOC regions are considered by many to be home to the greatest collection of top quality wineries anywhere in the world

10
Q

What is the main soil type of Medoc?

A

Gravel

11
Q

What are the areas that set off of the Gironde Estuary and Garonne River

A

Medoc

Graves

12
Q

What is the most grown grape in Bordeax?

A

Merlot

13
Q

What are the red grape varietals of Bordeaux?

A
  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Petit Verdot
  • Malbec
14
Q

What is the main white grape varitials in Bordeaux?

A
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Semillion
  • Muscadelle
15
Q

What is the furtherest northern Commune in Haut - Medoc?

A

St. Estèphe

16
Q

What commune in Bordeaux is known to being the most important appellation in all of Bordeaux

A

Paulliac

17
Q

What are the five 1st Growth Classification Wines of 1855?

A
  • Chateau Latour
  • Château Lafite - Rothchild
  • Château Mouton - Rothschild
  • Château Margeux
  • Château Haut - Brion
18
Q

What are the 3 communes that are found in Pauillac?

A
  • Château Latour
  • Château Lafite - Rothchild
  • Château Morton - Rothchild
19
Q

What is the smallest commune in Haut Medoc?

A

St. Julien

20
Q

What are boulbenes?

A

The mixture of sand, gravel, and light clay soil. This takes place in Graves

21
Q

True or False

You can only produce red wines in Graves?

A

False - you can produce red wines and white wines. Only in Medoc and Haut- Medoc in the left bank can you only made red wines

22
Q

What are the 3 major bodies of water in Bordeaux

A
  • Gironde Estuary
  • Gasonne River
  • Dogdonne River
23
Q

What area in the Left Bank is known for its sweet white wines?

A

Sauternes and Barsac

24
Q

What is the fungus that is very popular on grapes in Sauternes and Barsac that helps produces sweet white wines?

A

Botrytis Cinerea

25
Q

What grape gets Botrytis Cinerea the most in Bordeaux and why?

A

Semillion and because it’s a thin skinned grape that contains a lot of sugar

26
Q

What causes Noble Rot?

A

The climate, the perfect mixture of humidity and mild weather. Misty mornings and later sunshine make perfect conditions for Noble Rot

27
Q

What is the white wine that is made in Pessac - Lèognan?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

28
Q

What is the soil type in the right bank?

A

Clayish

29
Q

What is the main grapes of the right bank?

A

Merlot - the main grape

Cabernet Franc - is also a leading grape

30
Q

What appellations in the right bank make white wines

A

Côte de Blaye and Côte de Bourg

31
Q

What are the two main red wine regions in the right bank?

A

Pomerol

Saint - Èmilion

32
Q

Other red wines of the right bank?

A

Canon - Fronsac

Fronsac

Lalande - de - Pomperol

33
Q

What is the smallest commune of all the quality communes in Bordeaux?

A

Pomerol

Note:
- it’s limited supply is what has caused prices in the appellation to skyrocket

34
Q

What is the major grape grown in Pomerol?

A

Merlot

35
Q

What is the top château in Pomerol?

A

Château Pètrus

36
Q

What is the main grape of Saint Èmilion?

A

Merlot

37
Q

True or False

Saint Èmilion was apart of the 1855 Classification?

A

False - due to being left out Saint Èmilion created its own appellation, Appellation Saint Èmilion Grand Cru Contrôlèe”

38
Q

What are two top producers in Saint Emilion?

A

Château Cheval Blanc

Château Ausone

39
Q

What does Entre - Deux - Mers mean?

A

Between the Seas

40
Q

What type wines are exclusively sold in Entre - Deux - Mers?

A

Dry white wines

41
Q

What is the dominant grape in Entre De Mers?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

42
Q

What type of wines are made in Sauternes?

A

Dessert Wines

43
Q

What is the Southern most sweet wine region of Bordeaux?

A

Sauternes

44
Q

True or False

Sauternes are made every year?

A

False - Sauternes are made only during the best vintage years. During bad vintages the wines are sold off to other producers

45
Q

Name an important Château in Sauternes?

A

Château d’YQuem

46
Q

What bank is Sauternes located?

A

Left Bank

47
Q

What region in France has the most acreage

A

Bordeaux with 117,500 ha

48
Q

What dèpartement is most of the land of Bordeaux in

A

Gironde

49
Q

What are the main areas set off of the Dogdonne River

A

Saint Emilion

Pomerol

Fronsac

Surrounding Appellations

50
Q

What appellations set on the right bank of the Gironde River

A

Blaye

Bourg

51
Q

What is the vast stretch of land between the Garonne River and Dordogne River

A

Entre - Deux - Mers

52
Q

What is the climate of Bordeaux

A

Maritime

53
Q

What area in France receives the most rainfall

A

Medoc

  • Annual rainfall is 950mm
54
Q

What are usually the driest months of Bordeaux

A

July and August

55
Q

What parallel runs just north of Bordeaux

A

45th parallel

56
Q

Why is the Atlantic Gulf Stream Current important to Bordeaux

A

It brings warm water up from the Caribbean, keeping the climate mild

57
Q

What is Bordeaux most planted white grape

A

Semillon ⚪

58
Q

What are some notes that Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, and Sauvignon Blanc share

A

Green notes:

Bell Pepper

Grass

Sage

59
Q

What is the synonym for Cabernet Franc on the right bank

A

Bouchet

60
Q

What is the original name of Malbec

A

Pressac Noir

61
Q

What are the synonyms for Malbec and the location of these names

A

Côt - west France

Pressac - Bordeaux right bank around Lisbourne

62
Q

What grape is the only grape that uses the spur training method

A

Sémillon

63
Q

How many AOPs are there in Bordeaux

A

39

64
Q

Bordeaux AOP

Bordeaux Supérieur AOP

Crémont de Bordeaux AOP

What are these to Bordeaux

A

The three regional appellations of Bordeaux

65
Q

How many châteaux were chosen in the classification of 1855 and how many categories was it

A

57

  • 5 categories called Grand Cru Classé
66
Q

How many Sauternes were chosen for their classification and how were they divided

A

21

  • 3 categories
    • second Crus
    • premier Crus
    • Premier Cru Supérior
67
Q

What were the original 4 châteaux chosen for the classification of 1855

A

Latour

Lafite

Margeaux

Haute - Brion

68
Q

What château received the Premier Cru Supérieur

A

Château d’Yquem

69
Q

What date was the classification of 1855 official

A

April 18, 1855

70
Q

When was château Mouton Rothschild upgraded to a first growth

A

1973

71
Q

What is most common vine training system in Bordeaux and why

A

Vertical in the Guyot system

  • produces larger berries
72
Q

What is the common style of guyot system used in the left bank

A

Double

73
Q

What is the most common guyot training system used in the right bank

A

Simple

74
Q

What type of training system is used for Sauternes and why

A

Cordon Training

  • produces slightly smaller berries that attract botrytis
75
Q

What disease is common with using the guyot cane training

A

Grey Rot

76
Q

What is the common spacing in Médoc

A

1 x 1 meters

77
Q

Do the canopies hang high or low off the ground in Médoc

A

Low - one meter off the ground to take advantage of the stony soil

78
Q

What is the common spacing in Saint Émilion and Pomerol

A

1.3 - 1.5 meters

79
Q

What is the vine per hectors requirement for the left bank

A

7,000 Vines per hectare

80
Q

What is the vine per Hectare in Saint Emilion and Pomerol

A

5,500 Vines per Hectare

81
Q

What is the common spacing of Vines in Entre Deux Mers

A

Up to 2.5 meters

82
Q

Is chaptalization allowed in Bordeaux

A

Yes

83
Q

What type of barrel is used to age. Bordeaux red wines

A

New french oak barriques

84
Q

What is the barrique size in Bordeaux

A

225 liters

85
Q

What is cliquage

A

A controversial form on micro oxygenation when small doses of oxygen are applied to the finished wine in barrel

86
Q

What are the two thoughts of assemblage in Bordeaux

A
  1. Create the final blend early in the year after harvest in time for the April en primeur tasting
  2. Create the blend just before bottling in order to isolate and observe the maturation of separate components for as long as possible
87
Q

When does bottling typically occurs in Bordeaux

A

April

88
Q

Is the cork a finish requirement in Bordeaux

A

No, it’s not mandated by AOC law

89
Q

What are the last top vintages of Bordeaux

A

2005, 2009, 2010

90
Q

All the winegrowing in the Médoc occurs where

A

On the eastern edge of the Médoc

91
Q

Where are the best vineyards and châteaux located in Médoc

A

Haut Medoc

92
Q

What physical feature in Médoc shields the region’s vineyards from Atlantic weather and winds

A

Landes Forest

93
Q

How many AOPs are in Médoc

A

8

Médoc AOP

Haut Médoc AOP

St Estèphe

Pauillac

Saint Juilian

Margaux

Listrac - Médoc

Moulis

94
Q

Where are wines labeled Medoc AOP located

A

Bas Medoc

95
Q

Where are wines labeled Haut Medoc AOP located

A

West of Saint Estephe, Pauillac, Saint Julien or south of Margaux

96
Q

What are some characteristics of wine from Saint Estèphe

A

Firm, tanninc, earthy, chuncky, full bodied, sturdy and slow to mature.

97
Q

Château Cos d’Estournel

Château Montrose

These are the leading Châteaux from what region in Bordeaux and where were they listed on the 1855 classification

A

Saint Estèphe

  • second growths
98
Q

How many classified estates does Saint Estèphe have

A

5

Second Growths
Château Cos d’Estournel
Château Montrose

Third Growths
Château Calon-Ségur

Fourth Growths
Château Lafon-Rochet

Fifth Growths
Château Cos Labory

99
Q

What grape accounts for 40% of Saint Estèphe communes

A

Merlot

100
Q

What château marks the northern boundary of Paulliac

A

Château Lafite Rothschild

101
Q

What château makes up the southern boundary of Paulliac

A

Château Latour

102
Q

What is the flavor for Paulliac

A

Rich, powerful, firm, and tannic, with blackcurrant and cedar aromas and flavors

103
Q

Pauillac is home to how many first growth wines

A

3

Château Lafite Rothschild

Château Mouton Rothschild

Château Latour

104
Q

What is Château Léoville and where is it located

A

It is the principal estate of Saint Julien

  • was once the biggest Commune in the AOP but was divided into 3:

Château Léoville Las Cases - has the most extensive vineyards of the three. Is priced sometimes as a first growth

Château Léoville Baron - sets next to Château Langoa Barton. Both owned by Irish merchant family “The Barons”

Château Poyferré - usually produces second growth quality wines

105
Q

What is the Grand Vin name for Château Léoville Las Cases and its requirements

A

Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases

Second Growth Classification

18 months in wood, with 50% new oak

Wine Breakdown

65% Cabernet Sauvignon

19% Merlot

13% Cabernet Franc

3% Petit Verdot

Second Wine: Clos du Marquis

106
Q

What is the Grand Vin name for Château Léoville Poyferré and its requirements

A

Chateau Léoville Poyferré

Second Growth Classification

18 months, with 1/3 new oak

Wine Breakdown

65% Cabenet Sauvignon

30% Merlot

5% Cabernet Franc

Second Wine: Moulin - Riche

107
Q

What is the Grand Vin name for Château Léoville - Barton and its requirements

A

Château Léoville -Barton

Second Growth Classification

Aged 24 months in wood, 1/3 new oak

Wine Breakdown

70% Cabernet Sauvignon

20% Merlot

8% Cabernet Franc

2% Petit Verdot

Second Wine: Lady Langoa ( a blend of Langoa - Barton and Léoville - Barton formerly sold as “St Julien”)

108
Q

What is the flavor profile for Saint Julien

A

Rich, flavorful, elegant and finesseful, with cedary bouque

109
Q

What is the smallest Commune in Médoc

A

Saint Julien

110
Q

What Commune has the most châteaux in the 1855 Classification

A

Margaux with 21

111
Q

Does Saint Julien have any first growth

A

No

112
Q

How many communes make up Margaux

A

5

Margaux

Cantenac

Soussans

Alsac

Labarde

113
Q

Margaux

Cantenac

Soussans

Arsac

Labarde

These are the 5 communes for what AOC in Bordeaux

A

Margaux

114
Q

What is the 1st growth from Margaux

A

Château Margaux

115
Q

What are the requirements for the Grand Vin Château Margaux

A

Château Margaux

First Growth Classification

  • One of the most iconic wines in the world
  • Aged in oak vats and matures for 18 to 24 months in 100 % new oak

Wine breakdown
75% Cabernet Sauvignon

20% Merlot

5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot

Second Wine: Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux

116
Q

What is the white wine that château Margaux makes and what classification does it fall under

A

Pavilion Blanc du Château Margaux

  • Bordeaux AOC
117
Q

What classification does Château Palmer fall under

A

3rd growth Classification

118
Q

What are the requirements for Château Palmer

A

3rd Growth Classification

Aging Requirements:
- matured in 18 to 24 months, with 1/3 new oak

Wine requirement

50% Cabernet Sauvignon

40% Merlot

7% Cabernet Franc

3% Petit Verdot

Second wine
Alter Ego , Réserve du Général

119
Q

How many reclassification has the Saint Emilion Classification had

A

There have been 6 Classifications: 1955, 1969, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2012.

120
Q

What are the 4 Grand Cru Classé A for Saint Emilion Classification

A

Château Cheval Blanc

Château Angélus

Château Ausone

Château Pavie

121
Q

When did the Saint Emilion Classification become into existence

A

1955

122
Q

How often is the Saint Emilion Classification reviewed

A

Every 10 years

123
Q

Rauzan - Ségla is a 2nd growth for what Appellation

A

Margaux

124
Q

Wines from Moulis and Listrac AOP can only qualifty for what

A

Haut Médoc AOP

Cru Bourgeois

125
Q

What is the main soil of Moulis

A

Gravel

126
Q

This appellation was granted in 1938 and is located on the western edge of the Grand Poujeaux croupe with Saint Julien

A

Moulis

127
Q

Are there any classified wines in Moulis AOP

A

No

128
Q

Château Chasse - Spleen

Château Poujeaux

These are the two leading Châteaux for what region

A

Moulis AOP

129
Q

What was the last commune to achieve AOC status in the left bank and in what years

A

Listrac - 1957

130
Q

What is the main grape of Moulis and Listrac Médoc

A

Cabernet Sauvignon 🔴

Merlot 🔴 - on the rise in the area

131
Q

How many classifications does Medoc have and what are they

A

1855 Classification

Cru Bourgeois

Cru Artisan

132
Q

This classification was founded in Médoc in 2002, has been restricted to only 44 estates and has been used for labeling since 2005

A

Cru Artisan

133
Q

What was the purpose of creating the Cru Bourgeois

A

To create a classification for wines lacking the breed of the more aristocratic 1855 estates some collective marketing power

134
Q

What year was the Cru Bourgeois Classification introduced

A

1932

135
Q

How many tiers are there to the Cru Bourgeois Classification and what are they

A

Cru Bourgeois

Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel

136
Q

In the original introduction of the Cru Bourgeois Classification, how many properties were apart

A

444

137
Q

When was the last major revision done to the Cru Bourgeois Classification and what were they

A

2003

  • cut the total amount of properties down to 247, with only 9 of those being able to use the “exceptionnels” tier
  • mandated revisions will occur ever 12 years
138
Q

Is the Cru Bourgeois Classification still around today

A

No, in 2007 it was banned due to a law suit filed by some of the declassified estates.

139
Q

How is Cru Bourgeois used and when was it reintroduced

A

2008

  • it is now a mark awarded annually
  • châteaux must apply each year by submitting wines to a blind tasting panel
  • there is no more tier system
140
Q

What physical feature separates Graves from the Atlantic Ocean

A

The Landes Forest

141
Q

What is the main soil of Graves

A

Gravel

142
Q

What is the main soil type of Northern Graves

A

Gravel croupes

143
Q

What is the main soil type of Southern Graves

A

Sand and limestone

144
Q

What are the two regional AOPs of Graves

A

Graves AOP

Graves Supérieur AOP

145
Q

What type of wines are made in Graves AOP

A

Red 🔴

White ⚪

146
Q

What type of wines are made in Graves Supérior AOP

A

Sweet Whites Only

147
Q

When did the Graves Classification come into existence

A

1959

148
Q

What type of wines can be apart of the Graves Classification

A

Reds and Whites

149
Q

What is the top category for the Graves Classification

A

Cru Classé

150
Q

How many châteaux were added to the Graves Classification of 1959

A

16

  • 7 received Cru Classé status
  • 3 for white
  • 6 for both red and white
151
Q

What château split in 1968 into two changing the total number of Châteaux apart of the Graves Classification from 15 to 16

A

Château Couhins

152
Q

When was Pessac Léognan AOC founded

A

1987

153
Q

These are the 10 communes of what AOC:
Mérignac

Talence

Pessac

Gradignan

Villenave-d’Ornon

Cadaujac

Léognan

Martillac

Canéjan

Saint-Médard-d’Eyrans

A

Pessac - Léognan AOC

154
Q

What are the main grapes of Pessac - Léognan

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

155
Q

What is the only first growth of of Pessac Léognan

A

Château Haut Brion

156
Q

What is the main grape of Château Haut Brion

A

Merlot but most of their wines are Cabernet Sauvignon base blends

157
Q

Where is Sauternes and Barsac located

A

Southern Graves

158
Q

What type of wines are produced in Sauternes and Barsac

A

Sweet wines

159
Q

What is noble Rot called in France

A

Pourriture Rot

160
Q

Barsac

Preignac

Bommes

Fargues

Sauternes

These are the 5 communes for what AOC

A

Sauternes

161
Q

What are the main two rivers of Sauternes AOC

A

Ciron River

Garonne River

162
Q

Is new oak used for the sweet wines of Sauternes

A

Yes, new French Oak Barriques

163
Q

Is chaptalization allowed in Sauternes AOC

A

Yes

164
Q

What is the largest Commune of production in Sauternes

A

Barsac

165
Q

What is the most coveted Bordeaux Blanc on the market

A

Château d’Yquem’s - “Ygrec”

  • debuted in 1959
166
Q

Cérons

Podensac

Illats

These are the 3 communes of what French AOC

A

Cérons AOC

167
Q

What type of wines are made in Cérons AOP

A

Sweet whites

Red wines

Dry white wines

168
Q

If a wine is a dry white or red wine from Cérons AOC how would it be labeled

A

Graves AOC

169
Q

Sweet wines from Céron AOC are labeled

A

Cérons AOC

170
Q

When was the Cérons AOC created

A

1936

171
Q

How many AOPs make up the right bank

A

10

Fronsac

Canon - Fronsac

Lalande - de - Pomerol

Pomerol

St - Emilion

Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

Montagne - St Émilion

Puisseguin - St Émilion

St - Georges - St - Émilion

172
Q

Why is Merlot more covenant in the right bank than left bank

A

The right bank cool clay and calcareous clay soils, which are better suited for Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon grows better in gravel soils

173
Q

What is the typical grape breakdown for the right bank

A

70% Merlot

30% Cabernet Franc

174
Q

What role does Merlot play in right bank blends

A
  • jammy

- fruitcake

175
Q

What role does Cabernet Franc play in right bank blends

A

Gives the wines structure , brighter acidity, and restrained alcohol

176
Q

Where did Château Ausone get its name from

A

The poet Ausonius who lived in Saint Émilion

177
Q

Liborne

Saint Christophe des Bardes

Saint Émilion

Saint Étienne de Lisse

Saint Hippolyte

Saint Laurent - des - Combes

Saint - Pey - d’Armens

Saint Sulpice - de - Faleyrens

Vignonet

These are the nine communes for what AOP

A

Saint Émilion AOP

178
Q

Where are the historic growing areas of Saint Émilion AOP

A

On the slopes (Côtes) of limestone plateau near the commune of Saint Émilion

179
Q

Name the only red wine appellations of Saint Émilion

A

Saint Émilion AOP - established in 1936

Saint Émilion Grand Cru AOP - established in 1954

180
Q

What is the difference between Saint Émilion AOP and Saint Émilion Grand Cru AOP

A

Saint Émilion Grand Cru AOP must be Estate bottled unlike Saint Émilion AOP which can be blended and bottles by a négociant

  • Saint Émilion Grand Cru AOP requires lower maximum yields and longer élevage
  • Saint Émilion Grand Cru estates are usually located on limestone Côtes and Saint Émilion AOP is located in the river plain
181
Q

How many Saint Émilion premier Cru Classé B are there

A

14

182
Q
Château Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse)
Château Beau-Séjour Bécot	
Château Bélair-Monange
Château Canon	
Château Canon-la-Gaffelière
Château Figeac
Clos Fourtet	
Château La Gaffelière	
Château Larcis Ducasse
La Mondotte
Château Pavie-Macquin
Château Troplong Mondot
Château Trotte Vieille
Château Valandraud

These are the 14 estates for what classification

A

Saint Émilion Classification - Premier Classé B

183
Q

How many grand Cru Classé properties are apart of the Saint Émilion classification

A

64

184
Q

What are the key physical features of Pomerol

A

Barbanne River

Isle River

The city of Libourne

185
Q

What is the only château in Bordeaux wine to be classified twice

A

Château Haut Brion

1855 Classification

Graves Classification of 1959

186
Q

All of the Graves Classification wines are located where in Bordeaux

A

Pessac - Léognan

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