Bordeaux
What protects Bordeaux from the worst of the Atlantic storms? Do these factors protect
Bordeaux from all rain? - ✔️✔️The Landes forest and the coastal sand dunes.
However, even with these shields, rainfall is high and averages 950 millimeters per
year.
How many grape varieties are permitted under the AC regulations in Bordeaux? -
✔️✔️Thirteen; however, three black grapes and two white predominate
In Bordeaux, which grape is at the northern limit of where it can successfully be
ripened? - ✔️✔️Cabernet Sauvignon
Where in Bordeaux does Cabernet Sauvignon dominate? - ✔️✔️Only in the Haut
Medoc; though it is also very important in Bas-Medoc and the Graves.
Why is Cabernet Sauvignon best suited for the Haut Medoc, Bas-Medoc, and Graves
regions? - ✔️✔️The high stone, gravel content of the soils here helps reflect heat back
into the vineyard and (consequently) these are the only areas where Cabernet can
reliably ripen.
Which is the largest AC region in France, in terms of both volume and value? -
✔️✔️Bordeaux
What is the climate of Bordeaux? - ✔️✔️Moderate maritime climate that benefits from
the warming effect of the Gulf Stream.
What effect does the Gulf Stream have on the climate of Bordeaux? - ✔️✔️The Gulf
Stream brings warm water from the Caribbean to northern Europe, extending the
growing season: spring frosts are rarely a problem and grape ripening can continue well
into October.
Though the Gulf Stream can help to extend the growing season and prevent against
spring frosts, the Atlantic also has an effect on the climate of Bordeaux. Explain. -
✔️✔️The Atlantic brings high levels of rainfall and humidity.
In Bordeaux, what is Cabernet Sauvignon always blended with? - ✔️✔️Merlot.
Where is Cabernet Franc mainly grown? - ✔️✔️St. Emilion and, to a lesser extent, in
the Medoc and Graves (although it does not dominate any of these subregions).
, Do Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon prefer clay (allowing for increased water
retention) or well drained warm soils? - ✔️✔️Well drained warm soils.
How does the taste profile of Cabernet Franc differ from Cabernet Sauvignon? -
✔️✔️Cabernet Franc produces wines with less body, tannin, and finesse than those
produced from Cabernet Sauvignon.
Which grape variety is the most widely planted in Bordeaux? - ✔️✔️Merlot
Merlot produces which type of wines? Do they mature before or after Cabernet
Sauvignon? - ✔️✔️Merlot produces full-bodied, moderately tannic wines, which also
mature earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Where in Bordeaux is the Merlot grape particularly important? - ✔️✔️In the premium
wines of St-Emilion and Pomeral, where, unlike Cabernet Sauvignon, it can ripen
successfully.
Which grape variety ripens fully ONLY in very hot years? - ✔️✔️Petit Verdot
What does Petit Verdot add to a Bordeaux blend? - ✔️✔️Petit Verdot is a very deep-
colored, tannic wine which ages slowly. It is used mainly to add tannin, color, and some
exotic spicy notes to great wines. It's impact can be disproportionate to its volume.
What is the most widely planted white variety in Bordeaux? - ✔️✔️Semillon
Why is Semillon so prominent in Bordeaux? - ✔️✔️Given its thin skin and affinity for
noble rot, it is used widely for sweet wines. It gives wines with a golden color and plenty
of body.
Does Semillon age well? - ✔️✔️Yes. Semillon has an affinity for oak and its wines can
age well.
Increasingly in Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is being used for what? - ✔️✔️Single
varietal, dry white wines.
What is the one exception to the generalization that all Bordeaux wines are blends? -
✔️✔️Sauvignon Blanc
When it is blended with Semillon, what does Sauvignon Blanc add to the taste profile? -
✔️✔️Sauvignon Blanc's high acidity acts as a counterbalance to the potential
flabbiness of the Semillon. This is particularly true of great sweet wines.
What protects Bordeaux from the worst of the Atlantic storms? Do these factors protect
Bordeaux from all rain? - ✔️✔️The Landes forest and the coastal sand dunes.
However, even with these shields, rainfall is high and averages 950 millimeters per
year.
How many grape varieties are permitted under the AC regulations in Bordeaux? -
✔️✔️Thirteen; however, three black grapes and two white predominate
In Bordeaux, which grape is at the northern limit of where it can successfully be
ripened? - ✔️✔️Cabernet Sauvignon
Where in Bordeaux does Cabernet Sauvignon dominate? - ✔️✔️Only in the Haut
Medoc; though it is also very important in Bas-Medoc and the Graves.
Why is Cabernet Sauvignon best suited for the Haut Medoc, Bas-Medoc, and Graves
regions? - ✔️✔️The high stone, gravel content of the soils here helps reflect heat back
into the vineyard and (consequently) these are the only areas where Cabernet can
reliably ripen.
Which is the largest AC region in France, in terms of both volume and value? -
✔️✔️Bordeaux
What is the climate of Bordeaux? - ✔️✔️Moderate maritime climate that benefits from
the warming effect of the Gulf Stream.
What effect does the Gulf Stream have on the climate of Bordeaux? - ✔️✔️The Gulf
Stream brings warm water from the Caribbean to northern Europe, extending the
growing season: spring frosts are rarely a problem and grape ripening can continue well
into October.
Though the Gulf Stream can help to extend the growing season and prevent against
spring frosts, the Atlantic also has an effect on the climate of Bordeaux. Explain. -
✔️✔️The Atlantic brings high levels of rainfall and humidity.
In Bordeaux, what is Cabernet Sauvignon always blended with? - ✔️✔️Merlot.
Where is Cabernet Franc mainly grown? - ✔️✔️St. Emilion and, to a lesser extent, in
the Medoc and Graves (although it does not dominate any of these subregions).
, Do Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon prefer clay (allowing for increased water
retention) or well drained warm soils? - ✔️✔️Well drained warm soils.
How does the taste profile of Cabernet Franc differ from Cabernet Sauvignon? -
✔️✔️Cabernet Franc produces wines with less body, tannin, and finesse than those
produced from Cabernet Sauvignon.
Which grape variety is the most widely planted in Bordeaux? - ✔️✔️Merlot
Merlot produces which type of wines? Do they mature before or after Cabernet
Sauvignon? - ✔️✔️Merlot produces full-bodied, moderately tannic wines, which also
mature earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Where in Bordeaux is the Merlot grape particularly important? - ✔️✔️In the premium
wines of St-Emilion and Pomeral, where, unlike Cabernet Sauvignon, it can ripen
successfully.
Which grape variety ripens fully ONLY in very hot years? - ✔️✔️Petit Verdot
What does Petit Verdot add to a Bordeaux blend? - ✔️✔️Petit Verdot is a very deep-
colored, tannic wine which ages slowly. It is used mainly to add tannin, color, and some
exotic spicy notes to great wines. It's impact can be disproportionate to its volume.
What is the most widely planted white variety in Bordeaux? - ✔️✔️Semillon
Why is Semillon so prominent in Bordeaux? - ✔️✔️Given its thin skin and affinity for
noble rot, it is used widely for sweet wines. It gives wines with a golden color and plenty
of body.
Does Semillon age well? - ✔️✔️Yes. Semillon has an affinity for oak and its wines can
age well.
Increasingly in Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is being used for what? - ✔️✔️Single
varietal, dry white wines.
What is the one exception to the generalization that all Bordeaux wines are blends? -
✔️✔️Sauvignon Blanc
When it is blended with Semillon, what does Sauvignon Blanc add to the taste profile? -
✔️✔️Sauvignon Blanc's high acidity acts as a counterbalance to the potential
flabbiness of the Semillon. This is particularly true of great sweet wines.
