Burgundy

Question 1

Describe the climate of Burgundy

Answer 1

Cool continental; spring frost, summer hail, and rain are threats

Question 2

In Burgundy, where are the best vineyard situated?

Answer 2

Mid-slope, facing South or Southeast

Question 3

What varietals are permitted in Burgundy?

Answer 3

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligote (Bouzeron), Gamay (regional only)

Question 4

What are the appellations of Chablis?

Answer 4

Chablis, Petit Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru, Chablis Grand Cru

Question 5

What are the regional appellations of Burgundy?

Answer 5

Bourgogne Rouge, Bourgogne Blanc, Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits, Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune, Cote de Nuits-Villages, Cote de Beaune-Villages, Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise, Macon, Macon Villages (white only)

Question 6

How many single vineyard appellations are in Burgundy?

Answer 6

Over 600 Premiers Crus

33 Grand Crus in Cote d’Or and 1 in Chablis

Question 7

What are the key communes of the Cote de Nuit, and from which Grand Cru do the take their names?

Answer 7

Gevrey- Chambertin (Chambertin, Chambertin clos de Beze)
Vougeot (Clos de Vougeot)
Vosne-Romanee (Romanee-Conti, La Tache, La Romanee)
Nuits-Saint-Georges

Question 8

What are the key communes of the Cote de Beane, and from which Grand Cru do the take their names?

Answer 8

Aloxe-Corton (Corton, Corton-Charlemagne)
Beaune
Pommard
Volnay
Meursault
Puligny-Montrachet (Montrachet)
Chassagne-Montrachet (Montrachet)

Question 9

What are the four village appellations of the Cote Chalonnaise?

Answer 9

Rully (mostly white, sparkling)
Mercurey (known for reds)
Givry (known for reds)
Montagny (whites only)

Question 10

What challenges does the Cote Chalonnaise face?

Answer 10

Though it’s south of the Cote d’Or, higher altitude means later harvest and less reliable ripening

Question 11

Where do the most famous wines of the Maconnais come from?

Answer 11

Pouilly-Fuisse, rich, ripe Chardonnay
also Saint-Veran, Lugny

limestone slopes, Roche de Solutre, suntrap, S/E exposures

Question 12

Describe the ideal growing conditions for Beaujolais.

Answer 12

Gravel soils, which limit yields and produce more concentrated wines

Question 13

What is the appellation hierarchy in Beaujolais?

Answer 13

Beaujolais, Beaujolais Villages (39), Beaujolais Crus (10, including Brouilly, Fleurie, Morgon, Moulin-a-Vent; first two more perfumed, second more structured)

Question 14

What is the gobelet method of pruning?

Answer 14

The traditional method of Beaujolais–vines are pruned back to spurs close to the head, then shoots are tied vertically.

Question 15

What is Beaujolais Noveau?

Answer 15

One of the very first wines released each season, freshy, fruity, simple, often with notes of cinnamon, kirsch and banana from carbonic maceration, a method intended to extract maximum color but not tannin to preserve delicate fruit flavor