- Name the four common red grapes used in Bordeaux and describe where they are grown and what they give to the final blend.
Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s grown on left bank mainly. It gives structure to wine(tannin and acidity). It gives black currant flavor.
Merlot. It is gown throughout Bordeaux. It can grow on cool clay that other varieties may not ripen fully. Premium wines of Merlot are produced in Saint-Emilion, Pomerol. It gives body, roundness, soft and smooth texture.
Cabernet Franc. Like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc prefer well-drain, warm soil. They are planted right bank too. When it ripens fully, it gives vibrant fruit and floral flavor. It has less body than Cabernet Sauvignon and tend to make wine lighter. When it doesn’t ripen fully, it may gives stalky, herbaceous flavor.
Petit Verdot. Typically it is grown on the left bank. It ripens fully only in very hot summer. It gives wines deep color, tannins, spicy notes.
- Name 2 Bordeaux sub-regions producing Merlot dominated wines.
- Saint-Emillion
- Pomerol
- Why is Cabernet Sauvignon suitable in Bordeaux?
- Bordeaux is moderate maritime climate. Warm ocean current called Gulf Stream moderate the temperature and extend the growing season.
- Cabernet Sauvignon is late ripening.
- The soil of the left bank of Bordeaux is gravel. The soil is good drainage for frost and rain. It can retain the heat and create warmer condition. It helps the grape ripen fully.
- Describe the classification system of Medoc.
- It is called the 1855 classification.
- Chateau that are listed within this classification are refer to as crus classes.
- They are divided into 5 ranks.
- Cru Bourgeois was later introduced for the other chateau.
- Cru Bourgeois is only awarded to wine in a specific vintage. Not the chateau itself. Therefore new vintage wine must be submitted each year to gain the classification.
- Why would this wine be sold at a premium price point?
- The wine is classified as a Grand cru classes. That means this wine is ranked as one of best estates in Bordeaux.
- The wine is produced from Pauillac that has a high reputation. (3 of first growth wine are produced from Pauillac).
- What is likely to be the main variety of this wine?
Cabernet Sauvignon.
- This wine is produced in Bordeaux. The grapes may struggle to ripen fully in this region. What effect could this have on the wine?
When the grapes struggle to ripen, the wine may have astringent tannins and herbaceous flavors.
- Describe the style of this wine.
This wine will have black fruit and blackcurrant flavor. Ceder and cigar notes from oak aging. It has grippy tannins in their youth. As it ages, the flavor become more expressive and the tannins become soften.
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