Bourgogne Flashcards
What Côte de Nuits villages have no Grand Crus?
Marsannay, Fixin and Nuits St. Georges
Does Bourgogne produce more red or white wine?
66% of Bourgogne’s production is white
What was Philip the Bold’s contribution to Burgundian winemaking?
He outlawed Gamay in the Côte d’Or
What is a “climat”?
A named parcel of land in Bourgogne
What two grapes are typically blended to produce Passe-tout-Grains?
Pinot Noir and Gamay
What is the only Grand Cru in the Côte de Beaune for red wines?
The Corton Grand Cru makes red and white wine
What area of Bourgogne is known for Kimmeridgean marl soils?
The Grand and Premier Cru vineyards of Chablis
What style of wine is produced in the Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran and Viré Clessé AOCs?
Dry whites from Chardonnay
For every 250 foot increase in elevation, the temperature drops by how many degrees?
One
Gamay is a cross between:
Gouais Blanc x Pinot
What is the difference between Crémant de Bourgogne “Eminent” and “Grand Eminent”?
Eminent: The wines age 24 months sur lie. Grand Eminent: The wines age 36 months sur lie, plus 3 months in cellar between disgorgement and release
What is the Côte de Beaune’s southernmost village?
Maranges
What village is home to the La Tâche and Échezeaux Grand Crus?
Vosne-Romanée in the Côte de Nuits
What style of wine can be made the Macon-Villages AOC?
Dry whites only
Where do Premier Crus fit in Bourgogne’s quality pyramid?
The Premier Crus are incorporated into the village AOC category as climats.
What is the climate of Bourgogne?
Semi-continental with Atlantic (maritime) influences in the north and Mediterranean influences in the south
What are the five Bourgogne regions from north to south?
Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais
What Côte de Nuits village is known for rosé production?
Marsannay
What type of soil is preferred by Chardonnay?
Marl
What is the primary grape of the Maconnais?
Chardonnay
What is the primary soil type of the Chablis and Petit Chablis AOCs?
Portlandian marl
What Côte de Nuits Grand Cru is located at the bottom of the slope?
Clos de Vougeot
What contribution did John the Fearless make to winemaking in Bourgogne?
He convinced Charles VI to establish a fixed zone of production
For what style of wine is the Châtillonnais best known?
Crémant de Bourgogne. (The Châtillonais borders Champagne’s Côte de Bar.)
What are the seven climats of the Chablis Grand Cru AOC?
Bougros, Les Clos, Grenouilles, Blanchot, Les Preuses, Valmur and Vaudésir
What are the four AOCs of Chablis?
Chablis Grand Cru, Chablis Premier Cru, Chablis, Petit Chablis
What portion of Bourgogne’s famed slope is considered the best for growing high-quality grapes?
Mid-slope has the ideal amount of topsoils and receives the ideal amount of rain
What Côte Chalonnaise village is known for Crémant de Bourgogne?
Rully
What are the two primary grapes of Bourgogne?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
What Bourgogne village makes wines from 100% Aligoté?
Bouzeron in Côte Chalonnaise
What village is home to the Clos de Tart and Clos de la Roche Grand Crus?
Morey-Saint-Denis in the Côte de Nuits
What Côte Chalonnaise AOC produces only white wines?
Montagny
What is the primary soil type of the Côte de Nuits?
Limestone and limestone-rich marl
What Grand Cru is shared between Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny?
Bonnes Mares
What Bourgogne commune was once part of Beaujolais?
Saint-Véran in the Mâconnais
What is “marl”?
A mixture of soft limestone and clay
What is the northernmost commune in the Côte de Nuits?
Marsannay
What is a synonym for Pinot Gris in Bourgogne?
Pinot Beurot
What two Côte de Beaune villages produce only red wine?
Pommard and Volnay
What are the names of the three villages in the Côte de Beaune that share the Corton Grand Cru?
Ladoix Serrigny, Aloxe-Corton, Pernand Vergelesses
What Bourgogne AOC produces wines from Sauvignon Blanc?
The St. Bris AOC in the Grand Auxerrois
What type of soil does Pinot Noir prefer?
Limestone and limestone-rich marl
What is the climate of Chablis?
Continental with Atlantic influences
Bourgogne- Background
- Burgundy in English, only principal wine region translated
- BIVB (Bureau Interprofessional des Vins de Bourgogne) has initiated a shift to French vinacular to stop confusion
- Takes terroir and whittles it down to something infintesimately exacting within the framework of AOC Law
- 500 AOCs in France, 100 are in Burgundy
- Almost every part of Burgundy is ranked or unranked, has a name that is recognised for its uniqueness
- Monks in the Middle Ages studied the uniqueness of every part of the land
- Patchwork if Soils were created in the same upheaval as the Alps
- 45 million years of geological history represented in Soils on and around escapements, combs, colluviums, fault lines and brolerms
What are the five regions of Bourgogne?
- Chablis
- Côte De Nuits
- Côte De Beaune
- Côte Challonaise
- Macconais
Celts and Romans- Burgundy
- Before 52 BC: Eudens, a Celtic tribe lived in the area major trade area between Celts and the Roman Empire. Trade based on four rivers: Saone, Rhone, Loire, Seine. Viti did not expand as a small population= not enough labour or to consume the end product.
- 5th Century AD: Invasions as relations weakened. Barbarians and remained in turmoil until 450 AD when the Germanic Burgondes tribe settled in the area. Founded a kingdom called Burgundia
- This was absolved when Clovis, king of the Franks (another German tribe) settled in Nrthn Gaul. He added it to the realm in 534.
The Monastic Orders- Burgundy
- Violence and instability during the dark ages led to increased religiousity
- Church needed wine for mass (was traditionally white, not red used today).
- May famous v/yards (inc Clos De Beze; 630 AD and a Corton; 775 AD) were delineated and named during this time
- Church was immensely powerful and influential in feudial society and possessed enourmous wealth, primarily in land (powerful currency of the day)
- 909 AD: Benedictine Abbey of Cluney founded. Largest landowner in Bourgogne until the French Rev. Destroyed in 1790. B/ ween 10th and 12th Century Most endowed in all of Europe
- 1098: Cistercians founded the Abbey of Citeaux, between Dijon and Beaune. Monks served as book copyists, illuminators, book binders. The Dukes of Bourgogne are buried here.
- 1114: Cistercian Abbey of Pontigny (near Auxerre). They first planted vines in Chablis. 1922- 1939 was an annual gathering place for intellectuals like TS Elliot and Jean Paul Sartre
The Dukes of Burgundy
- 1363- 1477: They ruled the Duchy of Bourgogne an area reaching into Belgium. A powerful kingdom, much wealth from textiles and exerted lots of influence.
- Four Dukes, although the Duke of Bourgogne title was also assumed by the King of France, Bourgogne remained independent. With the dearth of Charles the Bold, however, Bourgogne was returned to the King of France
- The Dukes placed Burgundian Wines on the tables of nobility and Popes (as they were in Avignon at the time). Vin De Bourgogne= Chablis/ Auxerre, whilst Côte d’Or wines were known as Vin De Beaune
- Phillippe the Bold outlawed Gamay within Côte d’Or. made a grape of the common folk- 14th Century
- Joh the Fearless (by Order of Charles VI) issued an edict of Production (from Sens to Macon- 1416)
- 1443: Hospice de Beaune founded by Nicholas Rolin, under auspices of Phillippe the Good. Charity hospital for the people.
Who were the four Dukes of Burgundy?
Phillippe the Bold (1363- 1404)
John the Fearless (1404- 1419)
Phillippe the Good (1419- 1467)
Charles the Bold (1467- 1477)
The End of the Golden Era- Bourgogne
- 17th Century: Wines 10x expensive. Loire Wines became popular because nobility started to build Chateaux there. Bourgogne reduced in the marketplace.
- 1784: Church lands were confiscated (French Rev.). Given to farmers. Domaines broken up and few monopoles survived.
- 1804: Nepolionic Code mandated inherited land owning. This fractured v/ yard holdings. This never effected Bordeaux (they came up with ways of trying it to the Chateau)
- 1800s: Phylloxera: V/ yards lost, economic activity down, population declined.
The Birth of Modern Bourgogne
- 1847: King Louis- Phillippe, 3rd Empire, granted the village of Gevrey the right to append its name to the v/yard Chambertin. Most Villages followed suit (except for Volnay, Meursault, Pommard)- Ladoix- Serrigny= and exception, as this is two hamlets. Serrigny is not a v/ yard.
- 1859: 1st Wine auction at the Hospice De Beaune. Continues today.
- 1861: 1st v/yard classification system in place. Carried out by Agricultural Committee of Beaune.
- Last part of the 19th Century: 30- 40 yrs of rapid change, in a region that had experienced 300- 400 yrs of tradition. Phyloxera forced the region to replant v/ yards into orderly rows and replant to Guyot trellising (this is where one long cane is used and one spur, this controls production).
- 1930; Bourgogne boundaries were legally defined
- 1936; AOC legislation gave form and structure to Bourgogne’s named parcels or climats.
- 1986; 60% of Bourgogne Production was Red. Today 66% of production is white. This flip was due to huge demand for white wine in the 80s.
Bourgogne on the French Wine Map
- Eastern section of France, two hours from Paris, 1 hour from Lyon
- Lies along the auto route Du Sud (highway to the South)
Climate of Bourgogne
- Semi- continental climate due to Oceanic influences at both its North or South extremities
- Atlantic impacts the north and Mediterranean impacts the South
- Saône River flanks the Côte De Nuits and Côte De Beaune, 12 miles away, no température moderating influence. It runs along the eastern edge of the Côte Challonaise and Macconais
- Bourgogne extends almost 140 miles/ 224 kms (Nth to Sth)- there is significant temperature and climate variation. Bud break is a week earlier in Warmer Macconais than in cooler Chablis. Harvest= early Sept for Macconais, end of September for Chablis.
Grapes of Bourgogne
Primary Grapes
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
Auxiliary Grapes
- Aligote (w)
- Sacy (w)
- Pinot Blanc (w)
- Pinot Gris (Syn; Pinot Beurot) (w)
- Sauvignon Blanc (w)
- Cesar (r)
- Gamay (r)
Varietal Wines and Blends- Bourgogne
- Most of the wine made in Bourgogne is made from straight Varietals but Bourgogne Blanc can have some Pinot Gris in it Due to rogue vines still popping up
- Bourgogne Rouge can be blended products by law:
- Bourgogne Blanc= Chardonnay
- Bourgogne Aligote= Aligote
- Bourgogne Rouge= P/ Noir
- Two more exceptions to the single Varietal rule:
# Passe- Tout- Grains AOC: Mostly Gamay, 1/3 must be composed of P/ Noir and/ or Pinot Liebault. Can contain up to 15% P/ Blanc, P/ Gris and Chardonnay (can be red or rose)
# Cremant De Bourgogne AOC: Can be composed of Sacy, Aligote, Chard, Pinot Noir, P/ Gris, Melon, P/ Noir, Cesar and Gamay
The Soils of Bourgogne
- Part of the Paris basin, like a stack of plates in the middle of France. Each plate represents a layer of soil during a specific geological epoch.
- The heart (bottom plate) is granite Massif that surfaces in Beaujolais
- 180 millions years ago, the central part of France was semi- tropical and covered by a warm and shallow sea. Shellfish abundant, they died and settled at the bottom. Under pressure, became limestone and limestone rich clays= Marl
- Each epoch was dominated by different sealife, hence different limestones and marls.
- These Soils, resting on top of one another are sedimentary in nature. The oldest deposits are located to the south in Macconais, the youngest to the Nth in Chablis
A telling Topography Atop A Fractured Geology- Bourgogne
- During the last period of Continental upheaval in Europe, Alps rose and the Besse plain sank, forming a Graben, whose uplift include the Côte d’ Or, the mountains of the Jura
- Although the Saône runs the way through it is no River Valley. Not made by water. Possess colluvial Soils (formed from Rain Driven Slope wash), rather than alluvial (formed from River sediment)
- Eight fault lines in the Côte d’ Or. lead to upheaval in the land.
- The difference in the Soils is significant. So different that the Burgundians name the different marls by the fossils found
- Most v/ yards on the slopes. In the Côte d’ Or, the crests of the Hilltops are always slated for Hautes Cotes d’ Beaune or Hautes Cotes De Nuits Production. These are v/ yards interspersed with forests
- Top of the slope has the thinnest topsoil (recieves the least amount of rain). These are usual Premier Cru
- Middle of the slope has moderate amount of topsoil and recieves an adequate amount of water. Getting rain, absorbing the additional rainwater racing down the slope from above Grand Cru v/yards.
- Bottom Slope; deepest soils, most amount of rain. Ample rainfall means lots of v/ yard growth. Plains grow grapes with the least amount of distinction and character
- This all realised by the Monks in the Middle Ages- Wines made from upper slopes= cardinals, middle= pope, Wines at the base= bishops
- Aspect is also important in Bourgogne it is east facing slopes so it catches the morning sun. This exposure dries the morning dew and quickly warms the soil
- Variation in Soils from v/ yard to v/ yard, but even within a v/ yard Clos De Vougeot has 13 climats. Variations in Soil and in slope gradients within the site
- Different Soils Can contribute to quality levels (ie In Chablis Kimmeridgian Marl is considered more superior to Portlandian limestone)
Grapes As Interpreters Of The Soil- Bourgogne
- Pinot Noir; Prefers Limestone Soil or marls with high limestone content.
- Pinot Noir + Limestone= light pigment, subliminary elegant wines; highly aromatic.
- Pinot Noir + Marl= less elegant reds with more structure and fruit
- Pinot Noir + Clay= less aromatic and less complex reds with plenty of body. Need 5- 7 yrs of bottle age to evolve and express themselves
- Chardonnay prefers marly soils
- Chardonnay + Marl= powerfully dense whites with tremendous concentration of flavour, age- worthy
- Chardonnay + Clay= Wines of structure and depth, round, earthy
- Chardonnay + Limestone= high acid whites with aromas of citrus fruits and mineral.
The Soil and Site As Translated By AOC Law- Bourgogne
- All AOC Wines undergo an annual chemical analysis and blind tasting to verify typicity before receiving certification
- ALL BOURGOGNE WINE
- All Bourgogne is at the top of the Appellation System= AOC
- The Bourgogne Wine Quality Pyramid: G/ C AOC: 33, Premier Cru AOCs: 635 Climats, Village AOC: 44 AOCs, Régional AOCs: 23 AOCs
- Burgundians classify the v/yards themselves; single unclassified v/yards all have names that respect their unique terroir. Good quality= Premier Cru, Great v/yards= Grand Cru
- Point of difference is always the terroir, have due to Nepolonic laws= producer is just as important
Regional Wine- Bourgogne
- Usually uses the word Bourgogne in the name (Macon- Village, Macon exceptions)
- Can be grown anywhere in Bourgogne. However a Macon can be labelled Bourgogne Blanc, but a Bourgogne Blanc is not neccessarily entitled to be labelled Macconais
- 23 régional AOCs within Bourgogne representing 52% of Bourgogne’s total production
- Regional Wines can indicate a wealth of specific information:
# The Grape Variety: Ex: Bourgogne Aligote
# The Production Method: Ex: Cremant De Bourgogne
# The Region Of Production; Ex: Macon
# The Production Area: Ex: Bourgogne Citry
# The climat: Ex: Bourgogne Côte- Saint- Jacques - Midst The 23 Regional AOCs is the Coteaux Bourguignons (formerly known as AOC Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire). The most général of all Regional AOCs. Under this appellation, White Wines can be made from Chardonnay, Aligote, Melon De Bourgogne and Sacy. Red wines can be made from Gamay and/ or P/ Noir. Can be grown anywhere in Bourgogne (including Beaujolais) Alc must be between 9- 12% for reds, 9.5- 12.5% for whites AOCs original name references “Grand” because it allowed for fruit from Grande Bourgogne which stretches from Chablis to Beaujolais and “ordinaire”
- Regional Bourgogne Blanc only allows for Chardonnay. Regional Bourgogne Rouge only accounts for Pinot Noir, but allows Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc (provided they represent no more than 15% as a field blend), plus a maximum of 10% Cesar (from the Yonne) and 30% max of Gamay. Min/ Max of Alc = 10- 13%. Both Bourgogne Rouge and Bourgogne Blanc may pull fruit from certain authorised Communes within Beaujolais
- 85% or more Gamay will now be labelled “Bourgogne Gamay”
- A new specificity AOC has been created called Bourgogne Cote D’Or, this encompasses inexpensive Wines from the Cote De Nuit and th3 Côte De Beaune
Village Wines- Bourgogne
- Wines from grapes from a particular region. The wines have narrower in sense of terroir than Regional Wines
- If the village wine come from one particular v/ yard the w/ maker might put down that particular climat
- 44 village Wines indicatory 36% of Production
Premier Cru- Bourgogne
- Premier Cru represents a single v/ yard or climat with a reputation for producing high quality wine
- If the village name appears on the label with Premier Cru, but does not list the v/ yard it is a blend of parcels within that village
- 635 Premier Cru v/ yards in Bourgogne responsible for 10% of the total production
Grand Cru- Bourgogne
- Single vineyard with a reputation for producing exceptional wines
- Name Of v/ yard appears on the label along with Grand Cru. The exception is in Chablis where the village of Chablis is always listed on the label along with Grand Cru v/yard name
- 33 Grand Cru v/yards in Bourgogne responsible for 2% of the production
Chablis, Grand Auxerrois, and the Chatillonnais- Bourgogne
- Red and Whites, lean and possess a racy acidity. Nervousness to them, a kinetic electric energy they vibrate
Chablis, Grand Auxerrois and the Chatillonnais- Specific Location and Climate
- Chablis= located on slopes of the Serein River Valley, Grand Auxerrois v/ yards are located around the town of Auxerre, Tonnerre, Vezelay and Joigny. V/ yards of The Chatillonnais to the east of Chablis.
- Continental Climate influenced by the Atlantic. Landscape is flat and winds swept inland along the plains. This allows cloud cover, which lowers temps and slows ripening. This allows high acid, with a reserved aromatics
- Maritime influence impacts weather patterns in Spring and Fall. Frost bookends the growing season, shortening its length
- Spring frosts kills tender shoots and lowers yields, frosts in the autumn result in leaf fall (leaves fall from the vines and the vines are no longer productive photosynthetically).
Chablis, Grand Auxerrois and the Chatillonnais- Grape Varieties
- Chardonnay (Beaunois): Chablis, Chatillonnais, appellation Of Grand Auxerrois
- Sauvignon Blanc: St Bris AOC
- Sacy: Chatillonnais
- Aligote; Chatillonais
- P/ Noir; Chatillonnais, AOCs Of Grand Auxerrois
- Cesar; Irancy AOC
- Gamay; Chatillonais
Unique Attributes of the Soils Of Chablis
- Grand Cru/ Premier Cru Of Chablis= Kimmeridgian Marl (sedimentary Soil a special kind of limestone- rich clay formed 160 million years ago)- Wines are almost electric)
- Chablis AOC and Petit Chablis AOC located on Portlandian marl. Sedimentary soil formed 140- 150 million yrs ago. Crafts high acid whites with more broad, less- chiselled flavours than Kimmeridgian soils.
- Chatillonais/ Grand Auxerrois mostly Portlandian Marl, yielding white Wines with more broad flavours; less nervosity.
Production- Chablis, Grand Auxerrois and Chatillonais
- Chablis; 100% White
- Grand Auxerrois; 67% white, 33% Red
- Chatillonnais; 95% white, 5% Red
The AOCs of Chablis
- 4 Different AOC catégories hierachy is based on soil type/ Location (site/ Aspect)- Grand Cru, Premier Cru, Chablis and Petit Chablis
Chablis Crand Cru AOC
- 7 Climats Located on one SthWSt facing slope, they share a single hillside. This is why they are one Grand cru
- Kimmeridgian Marl
Bougros- Chablis Grand Cru
Easy to approach Chablis with well balanced fruit and minerality
Les Clos- Chablis Grand Cru
Lean Wines that need bottle age to develop maximum flavour
Grenouilles- Chablis Grand Cru
Complex, multi- faceted Chablis
Blanchot- Chablis Grand Cru
Powerful, rich Chablis
Les Preuses- Chablis Grand Cru
Age- worthy Wines of intense minerality
Valmur- Chablis Grand Cru
Rich Wines with immense minerality
Vaudesir- Chablis Grand Cru
Powerful, rich Chablis with rich flavour
Chablis AOC and Petit Chablis AOC
- Some Chablis v/ yards are located on the slopes; some are on the plains around Chablis
- Most Petit Chablis is Located on the plains
- As a rule the poor/ thin soils of Chablis slopes produce wines of more character
- Soils are Portlandian Marl
Chablis Premier Cru
- 89 Climats, spread along the banks of the Serein River; v/ yards all Located on slopes in close proximity to the river
- Kimmeridgian Marl
Bourgogne Côte Saint- Jacques AOC (Red, White, Rose, Vin Gris)- The Principal AOCs Of Grand Auxerois
- Cote Saint Jacques, Most Nth of the Burgundian v/ yards. Overlook the town of Joieny. Reds, Roses and vin Gris crafted from P/ Noir and p/ gris, whites from Chardonnay
Bourgogne Citry- Near Auxerre (SthWSt of Chablis)- The Principal AOCs Of Grand Auxerois
Red and White
Reds are crafted from Pinot Noir and Whites from Chardonnay. Roses must be bottled as Bourgogne Rose or Clairet
Bourgogne Cotes D’ Auxerre AOC (near Auxerre, SthWSt Of Chablis)- The Principal AOCs Of Grand Auxerois
Red, White, Rose
Bourgogne Cotes D’ Auxerre crafts reds and roses, Pinot Noir= Red, Chardonnay= Whites
Bourgogne Coulanges- La Vineuse AOC (near Auxerrois, SthWSt Of Chablis)- The Principal AOCs Of Grand Auxerois
Reds= Pinot Noir, Whites= Chardonnay. Roses are produced but must be bottled as Bourgogne Rose or Bourgogne Clairet
Saint Bris AOC (near Auxerre, SthWSt Of Chablis)- The Principal AOCs Of Grand Auxerois
White
Saint Bris crafts whites out of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris. The only appellation in Bourgogne planted to these two grapes
Irancy AOC (near Auxerre, SthWSt Chablis)- The Principal AOCs Of Grand Auxerois
Red
Signature Red is crafted from Pinot Noir and optionally blended with up to 10% Cesar
Bourgogne Epineuil AOC (near Tonnerre, nthest Of Chablis)- The Principal AOCs Of Grand Auxerois
Red
Crafted from Pinot Noir. Although whites are produced from Chardonnay they are not part of the Bourgogne Epineuil AOC. Roses crafted from P/ Noir/ P/ Gris but bottled as Bourgogne Rose or Bourgogne Clairet
Bourgogne Tonnerre AOC (Near Tonnerre, nthest Of Chablis)- The Principal AOCs Of Grand Auxerois
White
Wines produced from Chardonnay
Bourgogne Vezelay AOC (Near Vezelay, south of Chablis)- The Principal AOCs Of Grand Auxerois
White
Produced from Chardonnay
Principal AOC of Chatillonais
- Regional bottlings Only
- East Of Tonnerre/ Nthwst Of Dijon
- Niche Of making Crèmant De Bourgogne out of P/ Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay and Aligote
The Cote De Nuits
- Reds are firmly structured; dark berry fruits/ earth/ spice
- Chambolle- Musigny is the exception= delicately perfumed, gossamer in the palate
- Whites of the Côte De Nuit are elegant and finely structured with apple fruit
Specific Location and Climate- Cote De Nuits
- Extend 12 miles / 19 kms between Dijon and Corgoloin (often referred to as the “Champs- Élysées De La Bourgogne”)
- C De Nuits is an escarpé mtn whose altitutude avgs 1000 ft/ 300 m
- Most v/yards face east
- v/yards of Hautes Cotes De Nuits Regional AOC include a dozen villages above and behind the escarpment- robust and firm with significant tannin, acid and structure, requiring time in the bottle to mature and mellow
- Cote De Nuits/ Côte De Beaune comprise the escarpment or steep slope known as the Cote d’Or (Golden Slope)
- Cote De Nuit (and the Côte De Beaune/ Côte Challonaise)= Continental Climate hallmarked by considerable seasonal and diurnal temp variation
- Summers are hot, Winters are Cold. Vine experiences true dormancy (vital for its health)
- Great diurnal Range. This preserves the grape’s natural acidity (Heat breaks down grape acids)
- Because the growing season is short, every non- sunny day will impact the nature of the harvest
Grape Varieities of the Cote De Nuits
P/ Noir
Chardonnay
Aligote
Pinot Gris (locally known as Pinot Beurot)
Attributes of the soil of Cote De Nuit?
- Limestone
- Limestone rich Marl
- Formed 180 to 170 million years ago
- Cote De Nuit= perfect for Pinot Noir, whilst Cote De Beaune evenly good for both P/ Noir and Chardonnay
Production- Cote De Nuit
- CdN: 84% Red (some villages produce small quantities of white wine: Marsannay, Fixin, Vougeot, Morey-Saint-Denis, Nuits- Saint- George- Marsannay also produces rose
- 24 Grand Crus: Only 1 White Musigny (Bonnes Mares is shared b/ween Chambolle and Morey)
Marsannay- Cote De Nuit
No 1er Cru, No G/C
Best known for its production of delicate fruity rose
Fixin- Cote De Nuit
6 er cru, No G/C
Structured, robust, earthy reds, firm tannins; great for declaring
Gevrey- Chambertin- Cote De Nuit
26 er Cru, 9 G/ Cs
- 20% classified as 1er Cru
- G/Cs: Chambertin, Chambertin Clos De Beze, Chapelle- Chambertin, Charmes- Chambertin, Mazoyeres- Chambertin, Griotte- Chambertin, Latriciere- Chambertin, Mazis- Chambertin, Ruchottes- Chambertin
- Wines carry enough acid, tannin and fruit to have earned a reputation as being age worthy
Morey- Saint- Denis- Cote De Nuit
20 er Cru/ 5 G/C
- G/ Cs: Clos De La Roche, Clos Saint Denis, Clos De Lambrays, Clos De Tart, Bonne Mares
- Located 1/2 way point within Cote De Nuits, this AOC combines power of Gevrey with the delicate nature of Chambolle
Chambolle- Musigny- Cote De Nuits
24 Er Cru/ 2 G/Cs
- Bonnes Mares and Musigny- G/c (Both are red and whites, delicate and racy character)
Vougeot- Cote De Nuit
4 Er Cru/ 1 G/Cs
- Red Wines almost exclusively, 3/4 of the production ends up in its single G/C, Clos De Vougeot
- Develop (with time) complex aromas of berry and hints of Forest under growth, only g/ c in CDN that rests at the base of a slope
Vosne- Romanee- Cote De Nuit
14 Er Cru/ 8 G/C
- 8 of the most prestigious G/Cs are from here; La Romanee, Romanee- Conti, Romanee- Saint- Vivant, Richeborg, La Tâche, Echezeaux, Grands Echezeaux, La Grande Rue
- Velvet, mélange Of berry fruit, violet perfume, shoveled earth