Bordeaux vocabulary
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Appellation / AOC
AOC: Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée is a label used to identify a wine from the same region (geographical area), produced according to precise know-how and recognised traditional production methods (specifications).
It is the name of a wine-growing area that guarantees its origin and quality, linked to the specific terroir of that territory. Based on the concept of terroir, it is a guarantee of quality, as the label guarantees the authenticity of the wine.
There are 3 main wine-growing regions in the Bordeaux region, subdivided into several appellations: Médoc, Saint Émilion and Graves.
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Arcachon, Arcachon basin
Arcachon is a magnificent natural bay just 45 minutes from Bordeaux. This 1,500-hectare bay is fed by the Atlantic Ocean, forming an inland sea that sometimes takes on the colours of a real lagoon. The bay is bordered to the south by a fine sand dune rising to 104 metres: the Dune du Pyla is the highest sand dune in Europe, and from its summit you can admire the vast Landes forest. Arcachon Bay is also a summer holiday destination for many of the region's wealthy families.
Come and discover Arcachon and its bay, the lagoon of the Côte d'Argent, with our expert guides.
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acidity
In wine tasting, acidity is detected on the underside of the tongue and has a direct influence on colour, balance and taste. A wine can be either too acidic or not acidic enough.
During our tasting workshop, your A la Française sommelier-guide will teach you how to detect acidity in wine.
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Arômes
There is a wide variety of aromas present in wine.
There are primary, secondary and tertiary aromas.
The aromas in a wine come from the fruit, the ageing in barrels or the ageing process.
During our tours, take part in an aroma game and educate your nose in wine tasting.
Become a wine-tasting expert by taking part in our 2.5-hour tasting workshop!
https://www.alafrancaise.fr/bordeaux/57-cours-degustations-de-vin
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assembly
The concept of blending involves mixing several grape varieties to create a final cuvée that reflects the style of the château.
In Bordeaux, 99% of wines are blends, since they are made from grape varieties with complementary characteristics. This is what makes Bordeaux wines so unique!
To help you better understand the secrets of blending, we offer discovery workshops where you can create your own cuvée!
https://www.alafrancaise.fr/bordeaux/108-sur-mesure-atelier-assemblage
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aperitif
France's favourite time of day ;)
A symbol of the French Art de Vivre and a vehicle for conviviality, it's part of all our tours and events: it's impossible to imagine a new offer without an aperitif.
The A la Française aperitif is made up of fine local products: sausage straight from the producer, dark chocolate, fresh baguette, Comté AOC cheese and dried fruit. A treat for all our customers (and our guides ;)
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cork
A cork is made from the bark of the cork oak tree, which allows very small quantities of oxygen to be exchanged.
The standard size is 49 or 44mm * 22mm.
A corked wine means that the wine has been contaminated by a molecule present in the cork.
In France, we have a preference for the cork stopper, as it is part of the art of opening a bottle, the art of entertaining so present in our French culture.
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barrel
Once the wine has fermented, its function is to age it in the cellar or winery.
In Bordeaux, a barrel contains 225 litres (300 bottles) and is generally replaced every 3 years or so (can contain 3 wines).
The wine barrels are then often reused by whisky makers.
Most barrels in Bordeaux are made from French oak.
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bottle
A bottle of wine can take on different shapes depending on the different wine-growing regions.
The standard capacity is 75 cl.
Larger bottles are known as "magnum, jéroboam, rehoboam, mathusalem, imperiale, salmanazar, balthazar, nabuchodomozor, melchior".
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Benevolent
Benevolent: adj, a member of the A la Française! team, who passionately shares his love for the Bordeaux region, ensuring the constant well-being of his guests and pampering them to the hilt.
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cepage
A grape variety is a vine variety used to make wine.
Each variety has its own features and characteristics.
Carmenère" is a Bordeaux grape variety.
It is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Gros Cabernet.
Here are the king grape varieties in Bordeaux:
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenère.
White: Sémillon, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc
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