15 & 16 - Burgundy and Beaujolais

Question 1

Ten villages are entitled to there own appellation in Beaujolais. Who are the top 4?

Answer 1

Brouily and Fleurie (light and more perfumed wines).

Morgon and Moulin - a - Vent (more structured wines).

Question 2

What is Beaujolais Noveau?

Answer 2

Made specifically for early drinking. Cannot be released to the consumer until the third Thursday in November. Not sold after the 31st of August the following year.

Question 3

What is the hierarchy of appellations in Beaujolais?

Answer 3

• Beaujolais Cru
• Beaujolais Villages
• Beaujolais

Question 4

What profile does Gamay commonly have?

Answer 4

Typically fragrant wines with aromas of raspberry and cherry fruit. Rarely have more than medium tannins and body. Lightest styles can be chilled.

Question 5

With a climate similar to Maconnais, which varietal grows best in Beaujolais?

Answer 5

Gamay.

Question 6

What are the two most famous village appellations in the Maconnais region?

Answer 6

Pouilly - Fuisse.

Saint - Veran.

Question 7

Next level up Mâcon villages wines tend to have more?

Answer 7

Ripeness, body and character.

Question 8

Maconnais wines tend to to have what common profile?

Answer 8

• Whites, balance of apple/citrus fruit, medium acidity and medium to full body. Some creamy textures if MLF has occurred.
• Reds tend to be light and fruity. Made for early drinking.

Question 9

What is the most commonly planted grape in the Maconnais?

Answer 9

Chardonnay.

Question 10

What are the 4 village appellations of the Chalonaise?

Answer 10

• Rully (more white than red made).
• Mercurey (highest red representation).
• Givry.
• Montagny (only white wines).

Question 11

If a label has “Cote de Beaune - Villages” on it, what does it mean?

Answer 11

Must be a red, can come from anyone, or a combination of the villages of the C de Beaune.

Question 12

What are the 3 Cote de Beaune villages with the highest reputation for white wines?

Answer 12

• Mersault.
• Puilgny - Montrachet.
• Chassagne - Montrachet.

Question 13

Which Cote De Beaune villages only produce white wines?

Answer 13

• Pommard.

- Volnay.

Question 14

Gran Cru Vineyards account for how much wine production in Burgundy?

Answer 14

Nearly 1%. There are 33 Grand Cru in total, 10 of which are in Chablis. Grand Cru must appear on the label.

Question 15

How many Premier Crus are in Chablis, Côte D’or and Côte Chalonnaise?

Answer 15

Over 600 and they provide approximately 10% of Burgundy’s production. Label must state Premier Cru on the label.

Question 16

What is above the commune appellations in Burgundy?

Answer 16

Villages appellations, then Premier Cru, then Grand Cru.

Question 17

Name the commune appellations from Côte D’or from north to south?

Answer 17

• Gevrey - Chambertin.
• Vuegot.
• Vosene - Romanée
• Nuits St - George
• Aloxe - Corton
• Beaune
• Pommard
• Volnay
• Mersault
• Puligny - Montrachet
• Chassagne - Montrachet

Question 18

The next step up from regional appellation classification in Burgundy is?

Answer 18

Commune appellations. Which account for roughly a third of production in Burgundy.

Question 19

There’s a number of regional appellations in Burgundy that cover more restricted areas. Name them?

Answer 19

• Bourgogne Hautes Côtes De Nuits.
• Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune.
• Bourgogne Côte de Chalonaise.

Question 20

What is the generic name for most Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Burgundy?

Answer 20

Bourgogne Rouge and Bourgogne Blanc.

Question 21

In Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits what is the split of Grand Crus.

Answer 21

Red Grand Crus, all but one is produced in Côte de Nuits.

White Grand Crus, all but one produced in Côte de Beaune.

Question 22

Côte D’or is split into two appellations, name then?

Answer 22

Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune.

Question 23

The only varietal permitted in Chablis is?

Answer 23

Chardonnay.

Question 24

What are the Burgundy appellations from north to south?

Answer 24

• Chablis
• Côte D’or
• Côte Chalonaise
• Maconnais

Question 25

What techniques did Côte D’or pioneer in Chardonnay production.

Answer 25

• Barrel fermentation
• Barrel ageing
• MLF
• use of lees work during maturation

Question 26

Briefly explain the difference between Chablis, Côte D’or and Macon Chardonnay?

Answer 26

• Chablis, lean, steely and highly acidic.
• Côte D’or, complex and expressive.
• Mâcon, full bodied and riper fruit.

Question 27

How much area accounts for Chardonnay growing in Burgundy?

Answer 27

Nearly half.

Question 28

How much barrel ageing is typical for Burgundian Pinot Noir?

Answer 28

16-18 months. Higher quality wines have a proportion of time on new oak as well.

Question 29

Classic Burgundy Pinot Noir has what profile?

Answer 29

Red fruit flavours in youth, evolving into earth, game and mushroom with age. High acidity with low to medium tannins. Can vary though.

Question 30

Which appellation is the most important for Burgundy Pinot Noir?

Answer 30

Côte D’or.

Question 31

In a wet growing season Pinot Noir is susceptible to what.

Answer 31

Grey rot.

Question 32

What is the main climatic hazard in Burgundy?

Answer 32

Spring frosts particularly in the north.

Question 33

What is the difference in climate from north to south in Burgundy?

Answer 33

Cool and continental in the north around Chablis. Moderate continental in the far south around Mâcon.

Question 34

What are the dominant grapes of Burgundy?

Answer 34

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.