15. Burgundy Flashcards
What is the climate of Burgundy?
From cool continental (Chablis) to moderate continental (Maconnaise)
What are the natural climatic hazards in Burgundy?
- Rain disrupting flowering and later harvest
- Grey rot
- Spring frosts (especially in Chablis up to May)
- Summer hailstorms
What is the position and the aspect of grand cru vineyards in Burgundy?
- Mid-slope (less prone to frost)
- South and south-east exposure offering protection from prevailing westerly winds
Why are the soils at the slopes are better than those on the flat land?
The soil is shallower (thus less fertile) and have a better drainage
Pinot Noir accounts for which percentage of total vineyard area in Burgundy?
33 % (1/3)
Describe the characteristics of classical Burgundian Pinot Noir
- Red fruit flavours in youth that evolve into flavours of earth, mushroom as the wine matures
- High acidity
- Low to medium tannins
- For best wines 16-18 months barrel aging is normal
What is the most widely planted grape variety in Burgundy?
Chardonnay (50 % of total vineyard area)
What are the techniques that the Burgundian wine producers use for premium Chardonnay production?
- Barrel fermentation
- Barrel aging ( 6-9 months)
- MLF
- Use of lees
What are the other grapes that are planted in Burgundy other than Pinot Noir and Chardonnay?
- Aligote
- Gamay
Why wines produced from Aligote is rare in Burgundy?
Because, the areas are reserved for more profitable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Gamay can be used in what kind of appellations in Burgundy?
Only in some regional appellations. For wines of village level and above, only Pinot Noir can be used.
Chablis lies in the Valley of which river?
Serein River
What is the major climatic problem of Chablis? How do the growers try to overcome this hazard?
- Frost
- Sprinklers and heaters are used
Where are the best vineyards of Chablis located?
On the slopes with favorable south facing aspects
Some of the lesser vineyards in Chablis are classified as:
Petit Chablis
Which grape varieties can be grown in Chablis?
Only Chardonnay
What are the differences in tastes between Chablis/Petit Chablis and Chablis Premiere Cru/Grand Cru?
- Chablis/Petit Chablis has green fruit flavours with high acidity
- Chablis Premiere Cru/Grand Cru show riper more concentrated fruit (citrus rather than green apple), more body still balanced with high acidity
How many grand cru vineyards are there in Burgundy? In which regions are they located?
- 33
- All the red grand crus except one, are produced in Cote de Nuits
- All the white grand crus except one are produced in Cote de Beaune
Which grape varieties can be grown in Cote de Nuits?
Only Pinot Noir
Name the key villages of Cote de Nuits from north to south with their most famous grand cru sites
- Gevrey Chambertin (Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Beze)
- Veugeot (Clos de Veugeot)
- Vosne-Romanee (Romanee Conti, La Tache, La Romanee)
- Nuits St George
Name the key villages of Cote de Beaune from north to south with their most famous grand cru sites
- Aloxe Corton ( Corton, Corton-Charlemagne)
- Beaune
- Pommard (white only)
- Volnay (white only)
- Mersault
- Puligny Montrachet (Montrachet)
- Chassagne-Montrachet (Montrachet)
What kind of wines (red or white) are Cote de Nuits Villages and Cote de Beaune Villages?
- Cote de Nuits Villages can be red or white
- Cote de Beaune Villages must be red
Why are the wines from regional appellations like Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits and Borugogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune have less body and concentration?
Because of high altitude and exposure to the winds the climate is cooler
Why are the wines from Cote Chalonnaise are lighter and mature earlier?
- Due to higher altitude, harvest is later and ripening is less reliable
- Although the vineyards are still found on the hillsides, their aspect is less consistently towards east
What are the village appellations of Cote Chalonnaise?
- Rully: W>R, sparkling
- Mercurey: Red wines have high reputation
- Givry: Smallest village appellation, reds particularly admired
- Montagny: Only white
What is the most commonly planted grape variety in Maconnais?
Chardonnay
What are the most commonly planted black grape variety in Maconnais?
Gamay
What kind of wines (red or white) are Macon and Macon Villages?
- Macon: Red or white
- Macon Villages: White
Poulilly Fuisse is a wine from. ….. region, made with …… grape
Macconais , Chardonnay
Compare Macon, Macon Villages and Pouilly Fuisse/Saint Veran white wines.
- Macon: Good balance of green apple and citrus fruit, medium acidity and medium to full body. May have hint of creaminess from MLF
- Macon Villages: Similar in style to Macon but tend to display more ripeness, body and character
- Pouilly Fuisse/Saint Veran: Ripe notes of tropical and stone fruits, matured in barrels for a time to enhance texture and flavours, complemented by toasty oak flavours.
What are the regional appellations of Burgundy?
Most generic: - Bourgogne Rouge - Bourgogne Blanc More restricted areas: - Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits - Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune - Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise - Macon (Red and white) - Macon Villages (White only)
Regional appellations account for …% of the production of Burgundy region
50 %
Premiere cru vineyards account for …% of the production of Burgundy region
10 %
Grand cru vineyards account for …% of the production of Burgundy region
1 %
Chablis is what kind of appellation?
Village
From which grapes can white and red Burgundy made of?
White: Chardonnay
Red: Pinot Noir
How do the Cote de Beaune Pinot Noir differ from Cote de Nuits Pinot Noir?
They have a fruiter style
