15. Burgundy Flashcards
What’s the climate of Burgundy?
Burgundy covers a wide area and the climate ranges from cool continental in the north and around Chablis to moderate continental further south.
What are some of the problems Burgundy’s climate gives?
Rain can frequently disrupt both flowering in early summer and harvest later in the year. (Pinot Noir is particularly suspectible to grey rot)
Spring frosts, partigularly in the Chablis region, where they can appear as late as may.
Localised summer hail storms.
What’s important to determine the quality level in the appellation hierarchy of Burgundy?
The location of a vineyard.
Why is the location of a vineyard important in Burgundy?
To determine its quality level in the appellation hierarchy.
Where do you find basic village-level vineyards in Burgundy?
On flat sites or at the bottom of the slopes.
What’s the quality level of vineyards found on flat sites or at the bottom of the slopes in Burgundy?
Village-level vineyards
Where do you find premier cru or grand cru vineyards in Burgundy?
The are often found mid-slope.
The desirable hillside locations are less prone to frost than those on flat land.
What’s the quality level of vineyards found mid-slope in Burgundy?
Premier cru or Grand cru.
The desirable hillside locations are less prone to frost than those on flat land.
Where do you find the highest-quality vineyards in Burgundy?
Mid-slope. They generally have a south or east facing exposure, offering protection from prevailing westerly winds.
What soils do you find in Burgundy?
The soils in Burgundy are varied.
A large number of small geological faults, combined with gradual erosion, mean that precise soil types change significantly over small areas.
What’s the consequence of the huge variation of different soil types in Burgundy?
These variations are often linked to subtle changes in the styles of the wines, although the exact role the soil plays in this is the subject of much debate.
What grape varieties are planted in Burgundy?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Other grape varieties include Aligoté and Gamay.
What share does Pinot Noir have in the total vineyard area of Burgundy?
Over a third of the total vineyard area of Burgundy is Pinot Noir.
Where are the most important plantings of Pinot Noir in Burgundy?
Côte d’Or.
What’s the flavour profile of classic Burgundian Pinot Noir?
It has red fruit flavours in youth that evolve into flavours of earth, game and mushroom as the wine matures.
High acidity.
Low to medium levels of tannins (this can vary according to the vineyard, producer and vintage)
What wine making technique is typically used on Burgundian Pinot Noir?
A wide range of winemaking techniques is used varying from producer to producer.
For the best wines 16 to 18 months barrel ageing is normal.
What share does Chardonnay have in the total vineyard area of Burgundy?
It accounts for nearly half of the total vineyard area.
What characted does Burgundian Chardonnay have?
It varies dramatically.
From the lean, steely, high-acid wines of Chablis in the north of the region.
Via the often fabulously complex, expressive wines of the Côte d’Or
To the more full-bodied, riper-fruited wines of Mâcon in the south.
What winemaking technique is used for Burgundian Chardonnay?
Burgundian winemakers have pioneered the techniques that are now associated with premium Chardonnay production around the world:
- Barrel fermentation
- Barrel ageing
- Malolactic conversion
- Use of the lees during maceration
Where can you find the most sought after Chardonnay’s in Burgundy?
Côte d’Or.
What problem arose during the production of Burgundian Chardonnay?
Around 20 years ago it started to be noticed that some Burgundian Chardonnays were not ageing as expected. Some bottles of premium wines showed signs of premature oxidation for their age.
The problem remains although at a lesser extent. Several causes have been suggested with wine producers now adapting their practices to avoid this problem.
What kind of wine is made in Burgundy using Aligoté?
This white grape tends to produce neutral wines with high acidity.
Is Aligoté typically a high-quality wine in Burgundy?
Aligoté can be used to produce a high-quality wine when grown in sites where it can reach full ripeness.
But as thse locations are usually reserved for more profitable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, such wines are rare.
What kind of wine is made in Burgundy using Gamay?
It produces an early drinking red wine with ripe berry fruit and low tannins.
Is Gamay typically a high-quality wine in Burgundy?
It can be used in some regional appellations but only Pinot Noir is allowed for wines of village level and above.
Where is Chablis?
Chablis is a village appellation that lies in the valley of the river Serein, a tributary of the Yonne, in the northern-most part of Burgundy. Near the city of Auxerre.
Where can you find the best vineyards in Chablis?
The best vineyards are on the south west facing slopes of the valley of the Serein.
How are the lesser vineyards of Chablis classified?
Petit Chablis.
