Burgundy

Question 1

What climatic hazards are there in Burgundy?

Answer 1

Rain early in the year can disrupt flowering, spring frosts as late as May can occur, hail storm can damage fruit. Pinot Noir is susceptible to fungal diseases like grey rot, downy/powdery mildew etc.

Question 2

How does the climate range from North to South?

Answer 2

Cool continental in the North, moderate Continental in the South.

Question 3

Where will you find Premier and Grand Cru vineyard sites?

Answer 3

Mid Slope, South and South East facing. This is better for drainage and less prone to spring frosts, slopes also protect from westerly wind.

Question 4

Where are the most important plantings of Pinot Noir found?

Answer 4

In the Cote d’Or.

Question 5

What style of Pinot Noir is produced in Burgundy?

Answer 5

Classic Burgundy Pinot Noir is red fruit in its youth that then evolve into game, mushroom and earth over time. 16-18 Months of barrel aging is normal.

Question 6

What percentage of vineyard area is Pinot Noir vs Chardonnay?

Answer 6

Pinot Noir is 33% Chardonnay is 50%.

Question 7

Explain styles of Chardonnay you can find in Burgundy.

Answer 7

Lean, steely high acid in Chablis, complex and expressive in Cote d’Or, full bodied and ripe in Macon.

Question 8

What winemaking techniques are Burgundy associated with being pioneers in?

Answer 8

MLF, Lees stirring (battonage), barrel fermentation and barrel aging.

Question 9

What problem has white Burgundy faced from vintages in the early 00’s?

Answer 9

Premature oxidization, no explanation can be found for this.

Question 10

What other white grape variety is grown?

Answer 10

Aligote, producing neutral high acid wine, can be top quality if reaches full potential.

Question 11

What other red variety is grown?

Answer 11

Gamay, only to be used at regional level, only Pinot Noir can be village level and above.

Question 12

Where is Chablis located?

Answer 12

The most northern part of Burgundy, the village sits in the valley of the River Serein.

Question 13

What might be used to help fight against frosts in Chablis?

Answer 13

Sprinklers and heaters.

Question 14

What difference might you see in a Premier or Grand Cru Chablis compared to village level Chablis?

Answer 14

Riper fruit, from green apple to citrus. Use of oak but only subtle/old oak. More body, texture and flavour. Others may use concrete or stainless steel to retain purity of fruit.

Question 15

Which highland region to the West of the Cote d’Or provides east and south east facing slopes for vineyards?

Answer 15

The Massif Central.

Question 16

Where do you find all of the red grand cru’s (bar one) and where do you find all of the white grand cru’s (bar one)?

Answer 16

Red grand cru sites can be found in the Cote du Nuits, whereas white grand crus can be found in the Cote de Beaune.

Question 17

Name 4 key villages of the Cote de Nuits.

Answer 17

Gevrey-Chambertin, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanee and Nuits-Saint-Georges.

Question 18

Name 7 key villages in the Cote de Beaune.

Answer 18

Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet.

Question 19

Which 2 villages produce white wines only in the Cote de Beaune?

Answer 19

Volnay and Pommard.

Question 20

Cote de Nuits-Villages can be either red or white, what can Cote de Beaune-Villages produce?

Answer 20

Red only. Despite producing many top whites, Cote de Beaune still produces red wine.

Question 21

What are the regional appellations called in the Cote d’Or?

Answer 21

Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits and Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune. Vinyards sit west at higher altitude, less ripeness.

Question 22

Which appellation hierarchy accounts for 50% of total production in Burgundy?

Answer 22

Regional Level.

Question 23

What are the regional level appelations called in Maconnais for reds and whites respectively?

Answer 23

Macon for red and Macon Villages for white.

Question 24

A third of production is made up of which appellation level in Burgundy?

Answer 24

Commune/Village level wines, such as Chablis and Gevrey-Chambertin.

Question 25

What percentage of total production do Grand Crus contribute in Burgundy?

Answer 25

Just over 1%. There 33 Grand Crus in the Cote d’Or and 1 in Chablis.

Question 26

The Cote Chalonnaise is seen as less prestigious than the Cote d’Or, why?

Answer 26

Higher altitiude and vineyards aspect is less consistent to the east, slower ripening and they tend to mature earlier in bottle.

Question 27

What are the 4 villages in Cote Chalonnaise that contain Premier Crus?

Answer 27

Rully (white/red/sparkling), Mercurey (highest rep), Givrey (predominately reds), Montagny (white only).

Question 28

Name two famous village appellations in the Maconnais region.

Answer 28

Pouilly-Fuisse and Saint-Veran.