Burgundy

Question 1

What climates influence Burgundy from North to South?

Answer 1

From: Cool Continental (North/ Chablis)
To : Moderate Continental (South/ Mâconnais)

Question 2

What are some weather hazards associated with the climates of Burgundy?

Answer 2

Rain disrupting flowering (spring) and harvest (fall) with the associated humidity fostering rot & fungal diseases.
Spring frosts in the North/ Chablis
Summer hail storm

Question 3

Where are the best vineyard sites in Burgundy according to the AOC system?

Answer 3

The best sites (Premier & Grand Cru sites) are often found on the mid-slope facing south or south-east

Question 4

Why are vineyards on the south or east facing slopes considered better sites in the AOC system of Burgundy?

Answer 4

These vineyards are:
- Less prone to frost due to air movement.
- Offer better potential for RIPENESS because of sunlight exposure & protection from cool western winds
- Soils are shallower and offer better drainage and less fertile, giving more CONCENTRATION

Question 5

What are 2 primary and 2 secondary grapes grown in Burgundy?

Answer 5

• Pinot Noir & Gamay
• Chardonnay & Aligoté

Question 6

What are some winemaking techniques often associated with the 2 main grapes of Burgundy?

Answer 6

Pinot Noir: Whole bunch/ oak maturation
Chardonnay: Barrel Fermentation/MLF/Lees Stirring/Oak maturation

Question 7

To what factors would you attribute the austere green fruit and high acidity character of a Petit Chablis in contrast to a riper, more concentrated, fuller-bodied Chablis Grand Cru?

Answer 7

Petit Chablis is found on north-facing slopes & flat sites
North-facing slopes receive less sun which results in less ripe and more acidity
Flat lands will result in less concentration of flavors

Question 8

The Côte d’Or is split in 2 parts.

Answer 8

Côte de Nuits (long lived Pinot Noir
Côte de Beaune (Top Chardonnays Fruitier Pinot Noir )

Question 9

Name 4 communes of the Côte de Nuits from North to South

Answer 9

Gevrey-Chambertin
Vougeot
Vosne-Romanée
Nuits-Saint-Georges

Question 10

Name 7 communes of the Côte de Beaune from North to South

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Name 3 Grand Crus in the Côte de Nuits (and their villages)

Answer 11

Chambertin/ Clos de Bèze (Gevrey)
Clos de Vougeot (Vougeot)
Romanée Conti/ La Tâche/ La Romantée (Vosne)

Question 12

In the Côte de Beaune, which 2 Village AOC produce ONLY red?

Answer 12

Pommard & Volnay

Question 13

What do the communes of Chassagne & Puligny share?

Answer 13

Montrachet grand cru site

Question 14

What are the two most GENERIC AOC in Burgundy?

Answer 14

Bourgogne Rouge
Bourgogne Blanc

Question 15

What are regional AOC that cover slightly more restricted areas than Bourgogne Rouge or Blanc?

Answer 15

Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits
Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune
Bourgogne Côte d’Or (new)
Bougogne Côte Châlonnaise
Mâcon (for red and white)
Mâcon Villages (white wine only)

Question 16

What is a “Monopole” in Burgundy?

Answer 16

A rare case where a Premier or a Grand Cru site vineyard belongs to one owner only.

Question 17

How many Grand Crus & Premier Crus are in Bourgogne and what is their relative importance in the total production of the region?

Answer 17

33 Grand Crus (a little over 1% of production)
600 Premier Crus (nearly 10% of production)

Question 18

Name 4 Communes in the Côte Châlonnaise and wines they are famous for.

Answer 18

Rully (Mostly White, Sparkling and some red)
Mercurey (Most famous for its red)
Givry (Tiny AOC admired for its red)
Montagny (Specializes in White)

Question 19

What are 2 Villages within the Mâconnais famous for their white wines exhibiting ripe stone fruit and tropical notes sometimes with toasty oak flavors?

Answer 19

Saint-Véran and Puilly-Fuissé

Question 20

What are some differences between Mâcon AOC and Mâcon Villages AOC?

Answer 20

Mâcon can be red and white
Mâcon Villages are chardonnay-based wines coming from one or a combination of several villages with more ripeness, body and character than a simple white Mâcon.