15 - Burgundy Flashcards

1
Q

Climate of Burgundy

A

from cool continental in the north to moderate continental further south

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2
Q

rain in Burgundy
(when, problems)

A
  • can frequently disrupt both flowering in early summer & harvest later in the year
    (Continental climate)
  • in a wet growing season: problems with grey rot
    (PN is particularly susceptible)
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3
Q

hazards in Burgundy

A
  • rain (flowering, harvest, grey rot)
  • spring frost
    (can appear as late as May in Chablis)
  • localised summer hailstorms
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4
Q

vineyard’s location in Burgundy

A
  • extremely important in determining its quality level in the appellation hierarchy
  • basic village-level vy tend to be located on flat sites or at the bottom of slopes
  • premier cru or grand cru level are often found mid-slope
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5
Q

why are 1er Cru & GC found mid-slope in Burgundy?

A
  • less prone to frost than those on flat land
  • soils on the hillsides tend to be shallower with better drainage, whereas the soil on the flat land is deeper and more fertile
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6
Q

Aspect of the highest-quality vineyards in Burgundy

A

south or east facing exposure
(offering protection from prevailing westerly winds)

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7
Q

soil in Burgundy

A
  • very varied
  • a large number of small geological faults, combined with gradual erosion
    –> precise soil types change significantly over small areas
  • soils on the hillsides tend to be shallower with better drainage, whereas the soil on the flat land is deeper and more fertile
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8
Q

grapes of Burgundy

A

PN & Chardonnay
Aligoté & Gamay

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9
Q

Pinot Noir in Burgundy

A
  • over 1/3 of the total vy area
  • most important plantings: Côte d’Or

Characteristics
- red fruit flavours in youth that evolve into flavours of earth, game & mushroom
- high acidity & low-medium tannins
(vary according to the vy, producer & vintage)

Wm techniques
- wide range of wm techniques
- whole bunches gradually become more popular
- best: 16-18 months’ barrel ageing is normal
- better wines aged in a proportion of new oak

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10
Q

Chardonnay in Burgundy

A
  • nearly half of the total vy area

Characteristics
- varies dramatically
- Chablis: lean, steely, high-acid
- Côte d’Or: complex, expressive
- Mâcon: full-bodied, riper-fruited
- best: well-balanced & complex expressions that can mature in bottle for a decade or more

Wm techniques
- Burgundian winemakers were the pioneers of the techniques that are now associated with premium Chardonnay production around the world:
- barrel fermentation
- barrel ageing (typically 6-9 months)
- MLF
- lees ageing

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11
Q

premature oxidation in Burgundy

A
  • Burgundian Chardonnays
  • not ageing as expected
  • some bottles of many premium wines showed signs of premature oxidation for their age
  • established problem in Burgundy, but as yet no cause has been identified definitively
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12
Q

Aligoté in Burgundy

A
  • tends to produce neutral wines with high acidity
  • capable of making high-quality wines when grown in sites where it can reach full ripeness (but these are usually reserved for PN & Chard.)
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13
Q

Gamay in Burgundy

A
  • produces early drinking red wines
  • ripe berry fruit
  • low tannins
  • can be used in some regional appellations, but only PN is allowed for wines of village level &d above
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14
Q

Describe the hierarchy of Burgundy Appellations
- levels
- size (production)
- type of vy
- on the label
- ex.

A
  • the appellations form a hierarchy based on the quality of the vineyard sites
  1. Regional Appellations
    - half of the production of the region
    - from vy that do not have the right to a superior appellation, or declassified from a superior appellation (excessive yields, quality-minded producer)
    - Bourgogne Rouge
    - Bourgogne Blanc
    - Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits
    - Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune
    - Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise
    - Mâcon: red & white wines
    - Mâcon Villages: white wines only
  2. Commune/village Appellations
    - about 1/3 of the total production
    - on the label: name of the commune,
    if from a single vy the vy name may appear as well
  3. Singe Vineyard Appellations
    - vineyards that have consistently made high-quality wines
    - monopole: if the vy belong to just one owner (rare)

Premier Cru:
- 10% of the production
- more than 600 (Chablis, Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise)
- on the label: must state premier cru,
if from a single vy, vy name also on the label

Grand Cru
- 1% of production
- 33 in Côte d’Or, 1 in Chablis
- on the label: must stategrand cru,
only the vy appears on the label

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15
Q

4 Burgundy Regions

A
  1. Chablis
  2. Côte d’Or (CdN, CdB)
  3. Côte Chalonnaise
  4. Mâconnais
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16
Q

Chablis is a … appellation (level)

A

VILLAGE/COMMUNE

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17
Q

what appellation lies in the valley of the River Serein?

A

Chablis

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18
Q

Where is Chablis located?

A

in the valley of the River Serein in the norther-most part of Burgundy

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19
Q

where are the best vineyards in Chablis planted?

A
  • on slopes
  • south-facing aspects
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20
Q

lesser vineyards in Chablis are classified as …

A

Petit Chablis

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21
Q

major climatic problem in Chablis, and protective measures used

A
  • frost
  • sprinklers & heaters
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22
Q

permitted grapes in Chablis

A

only Chardonnay

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23
Q

basic village level Chablis if often grown on …

A

north-facing slopes & flatter land

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24
Q

premier cru & grand cru vineyards of Chablis are located on ..

A

the south-facing hillsides

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25
Q

what does the south-facing hillsides of Chablis give to the wine?

A

greater concentration & ripeness

26
Q

characteristics of Petit Chablis & Chablis

A
  • can be very austere
  • green fruit
  • high acidity

better examples display riper fruit flavours

27
Q

characteristics of Chablis Premier Cru & Chablis Grand Cru

A
  • riper, more concentrated fruit
    (citrus, rather than green apple)
  • more body
  • balanced by high acidity
28
Q

oak in Chablis?

A

A number of producers ferment or age a portion of their grand cru and sometimes premier cru wines in old oak, which can give a rounder texture & subtle flavours

Others prefer to retain pure fruit flavours by fermenting & storing the wines in stainless steel or concrete

29
Q

what does old oak bring to Chablis premier cru and GC wines?

A

rounder texture & subtle flavours

30
Q

mountain range alongside the western limit of the Côte d’Or

A

The Massif Central

31
Q

what does the Massif Central provide to Côte d’Or?

A
  • favourable east & south-east facing hillside vineyard locations
32
Q

general difference between wines in CdN vs CdB
& how does the appellation system reflect this?

A

CdN: many of the fullest-bodied, longest-lived PN
CdB: PN generally in a fruitier style, more famous for producing the best Chardonnays in the region

  • all of the red grands crus, except one, are produced on the CdN
  • all the white grands crus, except one, come from the CdB
33
Q

Key villages of CdN from north to south (4)
& their most famous grands crus sites (6)

A
  1. Gevrey-Chambertin
    (Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze)
  2. Vougeot
    (Clos de Vougeot)
  3. Vosne-Romanée
    (Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, La Romanée)
  4. Nuits-Saint-Georges
34
Q

Important villages of CdB from north to south (7)
& their most famous grands crus sites (4)

A
  1. Aloxe-Corton
    (Corton, Corton-Charlemagne)
  2. Beaune
  3. Pommard
  4. Volnay
  5. Meursault
  6. Puligny-Montrachet
    (Montrachet)
  7. Chassagne-Montrachet
    (Montrachet)
35
Q

2 appellations with only red wine in CdB

A
  • Pommard
  • Volnay
36
Q

appellations with both red & white wine in CdB (5)

A
  • Aloxe-Corton
  • Beaune
  • Meursault
  • Puligny-Montrachet
  • Chassagne-Montrachet
37
Q

the 3 villages with the highest reputation for their white wines

A
  • Meursault
  • Puligny-Montrachet
  • Chassagne-Montrachet
38
Q

which villages is sharing the grand cru of Montrachet?

A
  • Puligny-Montrachet
  • Chassagne-Montrachet
39
Q

red, white or both for
1. Côte de Nuits-Villages
2. Côte de Beaune-Villages

A
  1. CdN: red or white
  2. CdB: must be red

But there are exceptions!

40
Q
  1. Where are Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits and Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune situated?
  2. 2 factors that will influence the climate
  3. How are the characteristics of the wines affected by this?
A
  1. to the west of and at a higher altitude to the main strip of vineyards
  2. altitude & greater exposure to winds gives them a cooler climate
  3. slightly less body & concentration
41
Q

where is Côte Chalonnaise?

A

to the south of the Côte d’Or

42
Q

main grapes in Côte Chalonnaise

A
  • Chardonnay
  • PN
43
Q
  1. geography of Côte Chalonnaise compared to Côte d’Or
  2. how does this affect the grapes & wines?
  3. more/less prestigious than Côte d’Or?
A
  • higher altitude of the vineyards
  • aspect is less consistently towards the east
    (but still on hillside)
  • harvest is later & ripening less reliable
  • lighter & tend to mature earlier
  • LESS prestigious
44
Q

4 village appellations in the Côte Chalonnaise
& short info regarding wines there

A
  • each have premier cru vineyards but no grands crus

Rully
- produces more white wine than red
- important centre for the production of sparkling wine

Mercurey
- the village on Côte Chalonnaise whose red wines enjoy the highest reputation

Givry
- whose reds are particularly admired
- the smallest of the village appellations

Montagny
- produces only white wines

45
Q

Where is Rully, and what wines are made there?

A
  • in Côte Chalonnaise
  • more white wine than red
  • also an important centre for production of sparkling wine
  • have premier cru but no grands crus
46
Q

Where is Mercurey, and what wines are made there?

A
  • in Côte Chalonnaise
  • reds with the highest reputation in CC
  • also make white (står ikke i boken)
  • have premier cru but no grands crus
47
Q

Where is Givry, and what wines are made there?

A
  • in Côte Chalonnaise
  • reds particularly admired
  • also make white (står ikke i boken)
  • have premier cru but no grands crus
48
Q

Where is Montagny, and what wines are made there?

A
  • in Côte Chalonnaise
  • produces only white wines
  • have premier cru but no grands crus
49
Q

Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise

A
  • applies to all wines made on the Côte Chalonnaise from PN for red, & Chardonnay for white.
  • regional appellation
50
Q

where is Mâconnais?

A

between Côte Chalonnaise & Beaujolais

51
Q

the most widely planted grape of the Mâconnais

A

Chardonnay

52
Q
  1. Red or white wines in Mâconnais?
  2. Which grape(s)?
A

Both
- Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape
- Reds tend to be made of Gamay
- Some PN is still grown

53
Q

appellations in Mâconnais (4)

A
  1. Mâcon (regional)
  2. Mâcon Villages
    or Mâcon [specific village] –> ie. Mâcon Lugny
  3. Pouilly-Fuissé (village appellation)
  4. Saint-Véran (village appellation)
54
Q

what is the local regional appellation in Mâconnais?

A

Mâcon

55
Q

red or white in Mâcon?

A

red or white

56
Q

characteristics of white Mâcon

A
  • good balance
  • fresh apple or citrus fruit
  • medium acidity
  • medium to full body
  • may be a hint of creaminess from MLF
57
Q

characteristics of red Mâcon

A

tend to be light & fruity & made for early drinking

58
Q

Mâcon vs Mâcon Villages

A

Mâcon: red or white

Mâcon Villages or Mâcon followed by a particular village:
- white wines that generally represent excellent value for money
- generally similar in style to white Mâcon, but tend to display more ripeness, body & character

59
Q

the 2 most famous village appellations in Mâconnais

A
  1. Pouilly-Fuissé
  2. Saint-Véran
60
Q

characteristics of the wines from Pouilly-Fuissé & Saint-Véran

A

best:
- ripe notes of tropical & stone fruits
- most are matured for a period of time in barrel
(to enhance texture & add flavours)
- some of the richest & ripest Chardonnays in Burgundy, often complemented by toasty oak flavours

61
Q

soil and slopes of Pouilly-Fuissé & Saint-Véran

A
  • limestone slopes of the Roche de Solutré
  • east & south-east exposures
  • amphitheatre-like slopes (act as natural suntraps)
62
Q

natural suntraps in Burgundy

A

amphitheatre-like slopes of Pouilly-Fuissé & Saint-Véran in Mâconnais