Bourgogne - Location,Climate & Geology Flashcards
What is the overall climate of Bourgogne?
It has a continental climate. There are Atlantic influences in the north around Chablis and Mediterranean influences in the most southerly around Maconnais.
What effect does the climate variation between north and south Bourgogne have on bud break and harvest?
Bud break happens a week later in the Chablis than in Maconnais and harvest comes in early September in Macon and late September in Chablis.
What are the two main climate/weather threats in Bourgogne?
Spring frosts and severe summer hail.
Where in France is Bourgogne? How big is it?
It is a spreadout region in eastern France. It streches 140 miles/224 km north to south.
What are the five sub-regions of Bourgogne?
Chablis, Cote de Nûits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, Maconnais
Which river flows along the length of Bourgogne? What influence does it have on the vineyards?
The Saône river. It has no temperature moderating influence as it is too far away from the vineyards.
Decribe the geology of Bourgogne in general?
It is fundamentally a granite massif which has layers of mainly sedimentary soils of limestone and marl from many geological epochs including when this area was covered by a shallow sea.
How was Bourgogne formed?
It is a graben formed from the last European upheaval. The Alps rose and the Bresse Plain sank. It is bounded by the uplifts of the Morvan uplands, the Côte d’Or escarpment and the Jura Mountains. It is not a river valley. Soils are colluvial not alluvial.
Why is there such a varied soil age and juxtaposition in Bourgogne?
Earths movement up, down, left and right disrupted the chronological layers, coupled with soil erosion and slope wash.
Where are most vineyards planted in Cote d’Or?
On the slopes. However there are vineyards on the crests of the Côte d’Or escarpment among forests. These produce the Hautes Côtes de Beaune/ de Nuits wines.
What is soil and water retention like at the top of the slopes.
The tops of slopes have the thinnest soil and least water retention. Soils can be of good quality but steepness is not ideal. Rainfall runs off before it can be fully absorbed. Normally PREMIER CRU are grown here and some VILLAGE-level.
What makes mid-slope optimal for Grand Cru?
They capture the maximum sunlight, have adequate water and moderate amount of topsoil. Ideal for Grand Cru vineyards.
Why might different soils and slopes be found in a single or neighbouring vineyard sites in Bourgogne?
Due to faulting. E.g. Clos de Vougeot has 13 climats.
What soil is preferred for:
a) Pinot Noir
b) Chardonnay.
What style of wine do they deliver?
PN - limestone or marls with high limestone content - gives lightly pigmented but elegant wines;
Ch - marl - delivers powerfully dense, age worthy whites with concentration of flavour.
