15 - Burgundy

Question 1

What is the climate of Burgundy?

What are climate challenges?

Answer 1

since it covers large area, ranges in climate from cool continental in north (near Chablis) to moderate continental further south.
Rain can disrupt flowering in early summer and harvest
due to wet growing season, grey rot can be problem for Pinot Noir
spring frosts are also an issue, especially in Chablis
summer hailstorms can destroy crops

Question 2

Why is it that in Burgundy, basic village-level vineyards are located on flat sites or on bottom of slopes, and Premier or grand cru level are mid-slope?

What aspect to the highest-quality vineyards in Burgundy have?

Answer 2

The hillside locations less prone to frost than flat land.

south or east facing exposure (gives protection from westerly winds)

Question 3

What are key characteristics of Burgundian Pinot Noir?

Answer 3

red fruit flavors in youth -> evolve earth, game, mushroom with age
high acidity
low to medium tannin
whole bunches may be used
16-18 months barrel ageing for best wines

Question 4

Besides Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, what other varieties are grown in Burgundy

Answer 4

Aligote (white grape, neutral wines, high acid)

Gamay (early drinking red)

Question 5

Where in Burgundy is Chablis located? Where are best vineyards planted?

Answer 5

northern-most part of Burgundy

best vineyards are planted on slopes with south-facing aspects

Question 6

What is the major climatic problem of Chablis? What are protective measures used?

Answer 6

frost

sprinklers and heaters

Question 7

T/F: Chardonnay is the only grape permitted in Chablis

Answer 7

True

Question 8

What differentiates wines of Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru from Petit Chablis (lesser vineyards) or basic village level Chablis?

Answer 8

they are located on hillside sites, better aspect. Riper, more concentrated fruit (citrus), more body, still balanced with high acid. some are fermented/age in portion of old oak and others fermented and stored in inert vessels to retain fruit.

Question 9

What are the two parts of the Cote d’Or? What is each known for?

Answer 9

Cote de Nuits: longest-lived Pinot Noirs. All of red grands crus except one are produced in Cote de Nuits
Cote de Beaune: more southerly. more famous for Chardonnays. All white grands crus except one from Cote de Beaune.

Question 10

What is the hierarchy of Burgundy appellations?

Answer 10

regional appellations, commune (also called ‘village’ appellations, single vineyard appellations (premiers crus and grands crus)

Question 11

What are the regional appellations of Burgundy? How much of the region’s production do they account for?

Answer 11

Bourgogne Blanc and Bourgogne Rouge are the most generic appellations and can come from anywhere in Burgundy

Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits, Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune, Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise, Macon (red and white), Macon Villages (white wines only). regional appellations that cover slightly more restricted areas

They account for half of total production

Question 12

True/False: only the vineyard appears on label of grand cru wines (the term grand cru must also appear)

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What are the key villages of the Cote de Nuits (with their most famous grands crus sites)?

Answer 13

Gevrey-Chambertin (Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Beze)
Vougeot (Clos de Vougeot)
Vosne-Romanee (Romanee-Conti, La Tache and La Romanee)
Nuits-Saint-Georges

Question 14

What are the important villages of the Cote de Beaune (with their most famous grands crus)

Answer 14

Aloxe-Corton (Corton, Corton-Charlemagne)
Beaune
Pommard
Volnay
Meursault
Puligny-Montrachet (Montrachet)
Chassagne-Montrachet (Montrachet)

All except Volnay and Pommard make white and red wines

Question 15

True/False: most premier/grand cru vineyards are divided between several owners

Answer 15

True

Question 16

Is Cote de Nuits-Villages and Cote de Beaune-Villages a red or white wine? Which villages can they come from?

Answer 16

Cote de Nuits-Villages: red or white. from vineyards that lie on Cote de Nuits
Cote de Beaune-Villages: red. comes from any one or a combination of villages on Cote de Beaune.

Question 17

Why do wines from the regional appellations Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits and Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune typically have less body and concentration than the main strip of vineyards?

Answer 17

because they are at a higher altitude and to west of main strip - more exposure to winds and higher altitude means cooler climate.

Question 18

Where is the Cote Chalonnaise located in relation to the Cote d’Or?

Answer 18

south of Cote d’Or

Question 19

What are climate factors that make Cote Chalonnaise less prestigious than the Cote d’Or?

Answer 19

like Cote d’Or, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are main varieties. However, due to higher altitude, climate is cooler, harvest is later, and ripening less reliable.
vineyards are on hillsides but aspect is less consistently towards the east- the wines are lighter and mature earlier as a result.

Question 20

Where are the vineyards of Cote d’Or located and what is their aspect?

Answer 20

Hillside of Massif Central (which runs along western limit of Cote d’Or). most favorable aspects are east and southeast facing

Question 21

What are the 4 village appellations of Cote Chalonnaise?

Answer 21

Rully, Mercurey, Givry, Montagny

Rully: important for sparkling wine
Mercurey: red wines have high reputation
Givry: good red wines
Montagny: only white

Each has premier cru vineyards but no grands crus

Question 22

What is the regional appellation that applies to all wines made on Cote Chalonnaise from Pinot Noir or Chardonnay?

Answer 22

Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise

Question 23

True/False: Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape of the Maconnais and the reds are usually made of Gamay

Answer 23

True

Question 24

What are the styles of red and white wines made under the local regional appellation Macon in Maconnais?

Answer 24

white wines: balance of fresh apple or citrus fruit, medium acid, medium to full body. May be MLF
reds: light and fruity, early drinking

Question 25

How do white wines labelled Macon Villages compare to white Macon?

Answer 25

they display more ripeness, body and character. Macon Villages represent good value for money. Can come from a single or combination of villages

Question 26

What are the two most famous village appellations in Maconnais? What are their characteristics? Where are they planted?

Answer 26

Pouilly-Fuisse and Saint-Veran
best examples: ripe fruit (tropical, stone fruit). matured in barrel. Some of richest and ripest Chardonnays in Burgundy with toasty oak.

Planted on limestone slopes of Roche de Solutre, east and southeast exposures. Slopes are like amphitheatres that trap sun and produce rich style.