Bourgogne Flashcards
What has happened recently to Burgundy’s name?
The Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB) initiated a major platform shift transitioning all reference of region to French name
How many AOCs are in Bourgogne?
100 of 500 in France
How big is Bourgogne and where is it located?
Bourgogne represents 140 miles stretch from Chablis to Maconnaise (6% of French wine production, 20% of French AOCs)
What was Bourgogne’s importance historically? How did this impact the wine production there?
Major trade crossroads between northern Celtics tribes and the Roman empire. Vines arrived by trading Celts or visiting Romans- viticulture did not expand much at the time due to small population
When was the Kingdom of Burgundia founded
In 450AD after years of invasions as Roman ties weakened, Germanic Burgondes settled in region and founded kingdom of Burgundia, later absorbed into Frankish kingdom
How did religion impact the history of wine in Burgundy?
Instability of Dark Ages led to increased religiousity, churches needed wine for mass and vineyards expanded- most of famous vineyards in modern-day Bourgogne delineated/named during that time
How did the Dukes of Bourgogne impact Burgundian wine history?
Four dukes of Bourgogne served as strong advocates and ambassadors for Burgundian wine and had long lasting effect on establishing quality reputation for wine region, put Bourgogne wines on the tables of popes, French kings, and nobility
When was Gamay outlawed in Bourgogne and by who?
Philippe the Bold outlawed Gamay within the Cote d’Or in 14th century because Gamay was grape for the common folk, Pinot Noir served to nobility
How did Burgundian wines relate to those of the rest of France by the 17th century? What happened after that?
They were 10 times more expensive, so only rich could afford, then rich began buying houses along Loire and drank Loire wine to the detriment of Bourgogne.
What happened to Burgundian wineries during the French Revolution?
Church lands confiscated and redistributed to farmers who worked those lands, few monopoles (vineyards owned by one person) survived; Napoleon mandated inherited property be equally divided between siblings- began long history of fractionalization of Bourgogne vineyards
How did phylloxera impact Bourgogne?
Reduced area under vine significantly, area lost dynamic momentum
What was the village naming convention in Bourgogne started in 1847
Most famous vineyard name appended to name of village, done to help growers who did not have parcel of flagship vineyard
When/where was the first wine auction held and why was it important?
At Hospices de Beaune in 1859- precedent setting step forward in wine tourism and wine charity events
Where/when was the first vineyard classification system carried out and why is it important?
Carried out by Agricultural Committee of Beaune in 1861, set stage for hierarchical quality pyramid we know today
How were Burgundian vineyards replanted after phylloxera?
Set into orderly rows and most employed Guyot training system (previously vineyards had been haphazardly planted en foule)
When were Bourgogne’s boundaries legally defined?
1930
When did the AOC legislation give form and structure to Bourgogne’s named parcels or climats?
1936
What happened to the proportion of red wine vs. white wine planted in Bourgogne over time?
In 1986 60% of production was red, today 66% of production is white- due to skyrocketing demand for white wine in 1980s
Where is Bourgogne located?
In the eastern section of France, two hours from Paris and one hour from Lyon
How big is Bourgogne and where does it rank in AOCs?
It is 1/5th the size of Bordeaux, has more AOCs than any other French region
What is the climate of Bourgogne?
The narrow strip of vineyard lays deep within France and is surrounded by land, has semi-continental climate due to oceanic influences at north and south extremities (Atlantic north, Mediterranean south), Saone flanks Burgundy but is 12 miles away so doesn’t impact climate- 140 miles north to south so significant temperature and climate variations
What are the primary grapes of Bourgogne?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
What are the ancillary grapes of Bourgogne?
Aligote (w), Sacy (w), Pinot Blanc (w), Pinot Gris (w), Sauvignon Blanc (w), Cesar (r) and Gamay (r)
Are most Bourgogne wines varietal or blends? How much of the variety is required in varietal wines?
Most are varietals, Bourgogne Blanc must be only Chardonnay (but rogue vines can still pop up in vineyard), Bourgogne Gamay and Bourgogne Pinot Noir only require 85% of grape listed, Coteaux Bourguignons Blanc and Rouge and Bourgogne Rouge can be blend