15. Burgundy Flashcards
Describe the climate of Burgundy.
- ranges from cool continental (north - Chablis) to moderate continental (south)
- rain common in early summer and at harvest
- spring frosts (Chablis)
- localized summer hailstorms
Where are basic village-level vineyards located? What about premier or grand cru?
basic village = flat sites, bottom of slopes
premier/grand cru = mid-slope
-highest quality are south or east facing exposure (protection for westerly winds)
Describe the soil of hillside vineyards vs. flat sites of Burgundy.
- varied soils
- hillside: shallower, better drainage
- flat land: deeper, more fertile
What is the problem we’re seeing of some older Burgundian Chardonnays?
- around 15 years ago, noticed that these wines were not aging as expected
- signs of oxidation
- no cause identified
What are the white varieties of Burgundy?
- Chardonnay: 50% of the production
- Aligoté
Describe Aligoté.
- neutral wines
- high acidity
Where is Chablis? Where are the most favorable sites in Chablis?
- valley of the River Serein
- northern-most part of Burgundy
- favorable sites: on south-facing slopes
What is Petit Chablis?
classification of lesser vineyards in Chablis
Where are the most favorable sites in Chablis? What are the basic village level sites?
- favorable sites: on south-facing hillsides (more concentration and ripeness)
- basic sites: north-facing slopes, flatter land
Describe Chablis wine. How is it made?
- austere
- green fruit
- high acidity
- better examples: riper fruit (citrus rather than green apple), more body
- Some: ferment or age a portion in old oak (rounder texture, subtle flavors)
- Others: ferment and store in stainless steel or concrete
What is Cote de Beaune known for?
-best Chardonnays in the region
Name (from north to south) the key villages of the Cote de Beaune. Which produce only red wine?
- Aloxe-Corton (Corton, Corton-Charlemagne)
- Beaune
- Pommard*
- Volnay*
- Meursault
- Puligny-Montrachet (Montrachet)
- Chassagne-Montrachet (Montrachet)
*only red
What are the top villages of Burgundy for white wine?
Meursault
Puligny-Montrachet
Chassagne-Montrachet
Which can be a white wine: Cote de Nuits-Village or Cote de Beaune-Village?
Cote de Nuits-Village
Where is the Cote Chalonnaise? Describe wine from the Cote Chalonnaise.
- south of Cote d’Or
- higher altitude (late harvest, less reliable ripening)
- less consistent east-facing aspect
- lighter wines, mature earlier
- less prestigious than Cote d’Or
Name the four villages of the Cote Chalonnaise and what types of wines they produce.
- Rully (more white than red, sparkling)
- Mercurey (red wines)
- Givrey (red wines)
- Montagny (only white)
Note: premier cru but no grand cru
Describe the better white wines from the Macon.
- fresh apple, citrus
- medium acidity
- medium-to-full body
- hint of creaminess from MLF
Describe Macon Villages wine. Name one specific village with a following.
- good value
- more ripeness, body, and character than Macon
- Lugny: village with considerable following.
Name the two most famous village appellations within the Macon and describe their geography and flavors.
- Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran
- ripe notes of tropical and stone fruit
- toasty oak flavors: matured in barrels to enhance texture and flavor
- limestone slopes (east/south-east exposure)
- richest and ripest
What is the main red grape of Burgundy? Describe these wines.
Pinot Noir
- red fruit flavors in youth
- evolve into earth, game, mushroom
- high acid
- low to medium tannins
- varies with vintage
Describe winemaking techniques of Burgundian Pinot Noir.
- whole bunches increasing in popularity
- 16-18 months barrel aging for best wines
- typically proportion on new oak
What are the two parts of the Cote d’Or? What type of wines are each known for?
Cote de Nuits
- north
- fullest body
- longest lived
- Pinot Noir
- all of the red grand crus (except 1)
Cote de Beaune
- south
- fruiter stle
- Pinot Noir
- more famous for Chardonnay
- all of the white grand crus
What are the key villages, from north to south, of the Cote de Nuits? Also name their most famous grand cru sites.
- Gevrey-Chambertin (Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Beze)
- Vougeot (Clos de Vougeot)
- Vosne-Romanée (Romanee-Conti, La Tache, La Romanee)
- Nuits-Saint-George
Describe Cote de Nuit-Villages.
- can be red or white
- from villages on Cote de Nuit but doesn’t quality for one of the more famous village appellations
