Bourgogne AOCs -Cote de Beaune

Question 2

Where is the Côte de Beaune located? What is the climate?

Answer 2

It is the southern part of the Côte d’Or. It stretches from Ladoix-Serrigny to Maranges and is 15 1/2(25 km) miles long on the slopes of an escarpment. Climate is continental.

Question 3

What is the elevation and aspect of the slopes in Côte de Beaune vineyards?

Answer 3

Around 720-1150 ft/220-350mtrs. They are generally SE facing. The escarpment is more broken and less consistent than the Côte de Nuits.

Question 4

Which vineyards are on the plateau at the top of the Cote de Beaune escarpment?

Answer 4

Hautes Côte de Beaune producing Bourgogne Hautes Côte de Beaune wines. THIS IS A DGC within Bourgogne AOC.

Question 5

What are the soil types of Côte de Beaune?

Answer 5

Two types:
Heavier more clay-like LIMESTONE-RICH MARL soil in much of the Côte de Beaune which suits RED WINES;
Lighter less clay-like LIMESTONE soils which suit WHITE WINES - they dominate in MERSAULT, PULIGNY AND CHASSAGNE.
The soils are slightly younger than Côte de Nuits soils at 160-150 mya.

Question 6

How do reds from Côte de Beaune differ from Côte de Nuit reds?

Answer 6

They are generally a little lighter, elegant and full of finesse.
Bottlings with more depth and concentration come from Volnay, Pommard, Beaune and Aloxe-Corton.

Question 7

What is the style of whites from Côte de Beaune?

Answer 7

Styles vary from rich and intense to taut and fresh depending on soil and topography.

Question 8

What is red/white production in Côte de Beaune?

Answer 8

Two thirds red, one third white.

Question 9

Name the 8 Grand Cru of Côte de Beaune.

Answer 9

Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, Charlemagne, Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet, Criots-Batard-Montrachet.

Question 10

Name the AOCs of Côte de Beaune.

Answer 10

Ladoix-Serrigny, Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses, Chorey-lés-Beaune, Savigny-lés-Beaune, Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Monthélie, Saint-Romain, Auxey-Duresses, Saint-Aubin, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Blagny, Santenay, Maranges, Côte de Beaune-Villages

Question 11

Which villages in Côte de Beaune have Grand Cru vineyards?

Answer 11

Ladoix - 2 ( both shared);
Aloxe-Corton - 3 (all shared);
Pernand-Vergelesses - 3 (all shared);
Puligny-Montrachet - 4 (2 shared);
Chassagne-Montrachet - 3 (2 shared).
Total = 8

Question 12

Which grape varieties are permitted in Côte de Beaune village AOCs?

Answer 12

White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Red (P) Pinot Noir.

Question 13

What is the famous hill in Côte de Beaune?

Answer 13

The hill of Corton in the north of the sub-region. Its vineyards are shared between Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses (all three), and Ladoix-Serrigny( two only).

Question 14

What are the GC vineyards on the hill of Corton? What style do they produce?

Answer 14

GC Corton - mainly red with some white;
GC Corton-Charlemagne - white only;
GC Charlemagne - white only.
GC Charlemagne is rarely used as it is a sub-zone of Corton-Charlemagne and is entitled to that more famous AOC label.

Question 15

When was Aloxe-Corton AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 15

Awarded 1936 for dry white and red.
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
3 GC and 14 PC.

Question 16

Which GC are shared by Aloxe-Corton?

Answer 16

73% of it vineyards are in GC Corton and GC Corton-Charlemagne. It also shares GC Charlemagne with Pernand-Vergelesses.

Question 17

When was Ladoix AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 17

Awarded 1937 for dry white and red.
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
2 GC and 11PC.
It is entitled to label under Ladoix AOC but sells most of its wine as Côte de Beaune-Villages AOC.

Question 18

Which GC are shared by Ladoix-Serrigny?

Answer 18

A quarter of its vineyards area lies within GC Corton and a small portion in GC Corton-Charlemagne which it shares with Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses.

Question 19

When was Pernand-Vergelesses AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 19

Awarded 1936 for dry white and red.
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
3 GC (shared) and 8 PC.

Question 20

How many appellations are there around Beaune?

Answer 20

There are 4 AOCs:
Chorey-lés-Beaune AOC;
Savigny-lés-Beaune AOC;
Beaune AOC;
Côte de Beaune AOC.

Question 21

When was Chorey-lés-Beaune AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes? How is it labelled?

Answer 21

Awarded 1937 for dry white and red.
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 0 PC.
Mainly bottled as Côte de Beaune-Village

Question 22

Describe Chorey-lés-Beaune AOC.

Answer 22

It lies on flat plains to the north of Beaune. It has a top dressing of alluvial limestone scree from the River Rhoin which increases its potential.

Question 23

When was Savigny-lés-Beaune AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 23

Awarded 1937 for dry white and red.
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 22 PC.
Mainly red production.

Question 24

Describe Savigny-lés-Beaune AOC.

Answer 24

Its vineyards are bisected by the Rhoin River and produce two different styles depending on aspect. Wines from the south facing slopes are structured and generous, whereas those from the north-facing slopes of Bois-de-Noel are elegant and finer. Twelve of the PC lie on the Bois-de-Noel.

Question 25

When was Beaune AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes? Where are the vineyards located?

Answer 25

Awarded 1936 for dry white and red.
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 42 PC.
Mainly red production. 75% is 1er Cru level.
Most of the vineyards are found on a large contiguous SE-facing slope to the west of town.

Question 26

Why is Beaune an important commercial centre?

Answer 26

It is home to the Hospice de Beaune and many major negociants.

Question 27

When was Côte de Beaune AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes? Where are the vineyards located?

Answer 27

Awarded 1937 for dry white and red.
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 0 PC.
Split evenly red and white production.
Most of the vineyards are found on higher elevation slopes around the town. Not to be confused with Côte de Beaune-Villages or Hautes Côtes de Beaune

Question 28

When was Pommard AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 28

Awarded 1936 for red only.
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 28PC.

Question 29

What makes the terroir of Pommard unique within Côte de Beaune?

Answer 29

It has a high concentration of clay and active limestone (high lime content) which is more similar to that of Côte de Nuit. It improves soil structure and drainage and gives the vine more access to nutrients. It produces powerful robust wines.

Question 30

When was Volnay AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 30

Awarded 1937 for red only.
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 29 PC.

Question 31

How does Volnay soils differ from those of Pommard? How does this affect the wines?

Answer 31

It has less clay and more chalk, giving, generally, aromatic, soft, supple and silky wines. More tannic examples can be found near the border with Pommard.
Volnay wines have been recorded and sought after since the 1300’s

Question 32

When was Monthélie AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 32

Awarded 1937 for dry white and red. (Mainly red).
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 15 PC.

Question 33

Where is Monthélie AOC located and why was it overlooked historically.

Answer 33

Surrounded by Volnay, Meursault and Saint-Romain has been historically overlooked because it was mainly planted to Gamay in the 19th century. Occupies prime real-estate.

Question 34

When was Saint-Romain AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 34

Awarded 1947 for dry white and red .
White (P) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 0 PC.
Split 1/3 red and 2/3 white

Question 35

Describe Saint-Romain AOC.

Answer 35

Set back away from the main Côte in a side valley at high elevation no exposure to south or east. Results in whites with piercing acidity similar to young Chablis.
It is the smallest wine producing village of the Côte.

Question 36

When was Auxey-Duresses AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 36

Awarded 1937 for dry white and red .
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 9 PC.
Split 2/3 red and 1/3 white

Question 37

Why does Auxey-Duresses lack fame?

Answer 37

It is located away from the main Côte. Prior to the AOC system it’s wine was marketed as Volnay, Meursault or Pommard.

Question 38

Which is the largest wine-producing village in the Côte d’Or?

Answer 38

Meursault with over 120 producers.

Question 39

When was Meursault AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 39

Awarded 1937 for dry white and red .
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 19 PC.
Split 97% white - 1/4 PC level 3/4 Village level

Question 40

How many Grand Cru vineyards on the hill of Montrachet?

Answer 40

Total of 5:
Le Montrachet (shared);
Batard-Montrachet (shared);
Bienvenue-Batard-Montrachet;
Chevalier-Montrachet;
Criots-Batard-Montrachet.

Question 41

How are the vineyards on Montrachet shared?

Answer 41

Puligny-Montrachet:
Chevalier-Montrachet and Bienvenue-Batard-Montrachet;
Chassagne-Montrachet:
Criots-Batard-Montrachet
Shared:
Le Montrachet and Batard-Montrachet.

Question 42

What is Puligny-Montrachet AOC claim to fame?

Answer 42

It possesses most of the Montrachet hill and also has more white-only Grand Crus than any other village in Bourgogne.

Question 43

When was Puligny-Montrachet AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 43

Awarded 1937 for dry white and red .
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
4 GC (2 shared) and 17 PC

Question 44

When was Chassagne-Montrachet AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 44

Awarded 1937 for dry white and red .
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
3 GC (2 shared) and 55 PC
66% white, 33% red.

Question 45

When was Blagny AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 45

Awarded 1937 for red only.
White (S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC (2 shared) and 7 PC

Question 46

Although Blagny AOC only makes red wines it also has white wine. How are these labelled?

Answer 46

Because Blagny straddles both Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet its village reds are labelled Blagny. Depending on where its grapes are grown, its white wines are labelled as Meursault-Blagny, Meursault or Puligny-Montrachet.

Question 47

When was Santenay AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 47

Awarded 1936 for dry white and red.
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 12 PC
Produces mainly red due to fertile soils. Yield managed by cordon pruning.

Question 48

When was Maranges AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 48

Awarded 1989 for dry white and red.
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, (Pinot Blanc not permitted);
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 7 PC
Southern most appellation of the Côte de Beaune. Almost entirely red production.

Question 49

When was Côte de Beaune-Villages AOC awarded? For which style? Which grapes?

Answer 49

Awarded 1937 for red only.
White (P or S) - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc;
Gris/Rosé (S);
Red (P).Pinot Noir.
0 GC and 0 PC
EXCLUSIVELY RED

Question 50

Which villages are not permitted to use the Côte de Beaune-Villages AOC labelling?

Answer 50

All villages can use it except for BEAUNE, ALOXE-CORTON, POMMARD AND VOLNAY.