Wine Law
In what year were Bordeaux's Classifications created?
1855 during the Paris Universal Exhibition
What two Rivers make Bordeaux's region unique?
Dordogne River (North) and the Garonne River (South)
What are the 5 First Growths of Bordeaux?
Chateau Haut-Brion (Pessac-Leognon, Graves), Chateau Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac, Medoc), Chateau Latour (Pauillac, Medoc), Cateau Margaux (Margaux, Medoc), Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac, Medoc)
Where is the medoc located in Bordeaux?
Left bank (south of the river), nearest the Atlantic ocean
What grape typically dominates the blend in a Left bank wine?
Cabernet Sauvignon
How many 'Growths' were created in the 1855 classification?
1st to 5th Growth (First Growth being the best)
What is the name of the Estuary where the Dordogne and Garonne rivers meet?
Gironde Estuary
Sauternes and Barsac were also included in the 1855 Classification. What was the only producer to become a First Great Growth?
Hint: They only make Botrysied Sweet Wines
Chateau D'Yquem (Sauternes)
Where is Haut-Medoc located in Bordeaux?
Left Bank (south side of river), just south of the Medoc, stretching down to the city of Bordeaux
What red grape typically dominates a right bank blend?
Merlot
Name the 6 most prominent and legally allowed black grapes of Bordeaux.
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot
What is the name of the man-made forest that protects Bordeaux from the Atlantic Ocean?
Les Landes (2.5 Million acres [1012000 hectares] of pine trees)
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild
Where is Graves Located in Bordeaux?
Southe of the city of Bordeaux
along the Garonne River
What grape is typically only used in very small amounts to add colour and tannin?
Petit Verdot
Name the 3 most prominent and legally allowed white grapes of Bordeaux.
Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
What 2 major soil types are found in Bordeaux? Bonus points if you can name the third and where each is prominent.
Gravel and Clay.
Bonus: Limestone being the third.
Gravel is base for Left Bank, Clay and Limestone base for Right Bank.
What producer is credited for elevating Pomerol to iconic status that it has now?
Petrus
Developing a cult-like following in the mid-1960's
Jean-Pierre Mouelix is credited for this by investing in the area in 1964, buying a 50% share of what would become Petrus.
Where is St.-Emilion located in Bordeaux?
Right Bank (north side of rivers)
Along Dordogne River
What white grape dominates most sweet age-worthy wines from Sauternes and Barsac?
Semillon
As of 2021, what are the 4 new black grapes, and 2 new white grapes allowed in Bordeaux?
White Grapes; Alvarinho, Liliorila
Why are Sauternes and Barsac known for Botrytis-affected wines? What are the climatic and geographic factors that make this possible?
The Ciron river meets the Garonne river, creating morning mists/fogs. The nearby forest helps hold this mist/fog allowing it to lift slowly throughout the day leaving dry afternoons. This is considered the perfect environment for botrytis to take.
Name a top-end producer of St.-Emilion.
-Chateau Cheval Blanc (Considered the best)
-Chateau Ausone, Chateau Angelus, Chateau Pavie
What side of the river are the Cotes of Bordeaux located?
Right bank, Surrounding the more major regions.