Burgundy Flashcards
What is the climate of Burgundy?
The overall climate is Continental.
It ranges from:
cool Continental in north (Chablis)
moderate Continental in south (Chalonnaise + Mâconnais)
What are the 2 main grape varieties of Burgundy?
White: Chardonnay
Red: Pinot Noir
What are 2 other grapes grown in Burgundy?
Gamay
Aligoté
What 3 climatic hazards does Burgundy experience?
・Rain around flowering in early summer and harvest later in the year (which can cause rot).
・Springtime frost
・Summer hail storms
Which Burgundian grape is particularly susceptible to grey rot?
Pinot Noir
Where are vineyards located?
・village-level
・Premier cru or Grand cru villages
・Village-level
Flat sites or at the bottom of slopes.
・Premier cru or Grand cru villages
Mid-slope (Less prone to frost than those on flat land)
・Grand Cru = South or east facing exposure (Protection from prevailing westerly winds)
Soils in Burgundy
Hillsides = Shallower with better drainage
Flat Land = Deeper and more fertile
Pinot Noir from Burgundy
4,5,7,8,12
4 High acidity
5 Low-medium tannins
7 Red fruit
8 Barrel aging (Better quality = New oak). Earth, game and mushroom as matures
12 Use of whole bunches
Which grape dominates the vineyard area in Burgundy?
Chardonnay
Nearly half the total vineyard area.
Chardonnay
Northern and Southern
North (Chablis) = Lean, steely, high acid wines
South (Macon) = Full-bodied, riper-fruited wines
Technique of premium Chardonnay in Burgundy
・Barrel fermentation
・Barrel aging (six to nine months)
・Malolactic convention
・Use of lees during maturation
What is premature oxidation?
In the early aughts, many white Burgundy wines (Chardonnay) started aging faster than normal and no one was or has been able to explain why it happened.
It continues to be an issue.
What are the main regions (areas of production) in Burgundy?
From north to south:
Chablis
Côte d’Or: Côte de Nuits/Côte de Beaune
Côte Chalonnaise
Mâconnais
Beaujolais (technically part of Burgundy)
What is the river that runs through the heart of Chablis?
The Serein River
How is village level Chablis different from Chablis 1er Cru and Chablis Grand Cru in respect to exposure and location?
Village level Chablis vineyards
・Face north
・Located on slopes and flatter land
Chablis 1er + Grand Cru vineyards ・/
・Face south
・Located on hillsides
Less important vineyards in Chablis are classified as _____.
Petit Chablis
These vineyards are in less favorable areas.
What is the main weather hazard in Chablis?
Frost
How do Chablis producers combat spring frost?
・Sprinklers
・Heaters