Burgundy * Flashcards
How many subregions in Burgundy - name them
5
1 Chablis (with Grand Auxerrois and Chatellonnais)
2 Cote de Nuits
3 Cote de Beaune
4 Cote Challonais
5 Maconnais
Which need to know appelations are found in Chablis+ subregion
Chablis
Chablis Grand Cru
Petit Chablis
Saint-Bris
Irancy
Vezelay
Which are the need to know appelations in the Cote de Nuits sub-region
There are 9 grouped 2-1-3-1-2
Marsannay
Fixin
Gevrey-Chambertin
Morey St-Denis
Chambolle-Musigny
Vosne-Romanee
Vougeot
Nuit St George
Cote de Nuit St George
Which are the need to know appelations in the Cote de Beaune sub-region
There are 20 grouped
3-4-2-4-3-3-1
Ladoix
Aloxe-Corton
Pernand-Vergelesses
Chorey-les-Beaune
Savigny-les-Beaune
Beaune
Cotes de Beaune
Pommard
Volnay
Monthlie
Saint-Romain
Auxey-Duresses
Saint-Aubin
Meursault
Puligny Montrachet
Chassagne-Montrachet
Blagny
Santenay
Maranges
Cotes de Beaune Villages
Which are the need to know appellations of the Cote Challonais
Bouzeron
Rully
Mercurey
Givry
Montagny
Which are the need to know appellations of the Maconnais
Pouilly Fuisse
Saint Veran
Vire-Clesse
Why is Burgundy so tightly linked to the concept of terroir
Each vineyard parcel has been assessed for its ‘terroir’ combination of soil type and structure, aspect, micro-climate
What was the role of the Church in determining the concept of terroir
Monks of the middle ages assessed each vineyard site in Burgundy
What is the difference between a lieu-dit and a climat
Lieu dit=More Formal =parcel of line within a commune with a geographical or topographical characteristic (a cadastral unit used by geographers)
Climat=parcel of land associated with Premier or Grand Cru (vigneron’s notion of site). Climat=slope/incline
Explain why quality varies greatly midst one Grand Cru parcel
Many owners- different viticultural techniques
Many climats within a single Grand Cru
Who were the 4 main Dukes of Burgundy
Philippe the Bold: He Ruled from 1363 to 1404 and outlawed Gamay in an attempt to promote Pinot Noir.
John the Fearless: He Ruled from 1404 to 1419 and He was the appointed guardian of the future King of France and assassinated for being power-hungry.
Philippe the Good: He Ruled from 1419 to 1467 and captured Joan of Arc and surrendered her to the English. He also established the Hospices de Beaune, a charity hospital for common people.
Charles the Rash: He Ruled from 1467 to 1477 and died attempting to conquer Alsace and Lorraine.
What was the repercussion of King Louis-Philippe granting Gevery the right to append Chambertin to its name
Chambertin was Gevery’s most famous vineyard
Many other villages followed suit
Give examples of how the Napoleonic code impacted Burgundian wine industry
Vineyards have fragmented as a result of the law of equal inheritance among children laid down in the Napoleonic Code.
For example, the grand cru vineyard Clos de Vougeot, which was owned by the Cistercian monks until the late 18th century. It’s now broken up into more than 80 individually owned parcels, some comprising just a few rows of vines.
More growers have led to rise of negociants variable quality and investors
Give examples of how the French revolution has impacted the Burgundian wine industry
After the French Revolution in 1791, the vineyards were sold off, often split between several owners.
Few monopoles survived
Explain the reason for Burgundy’s shift in focus from red to white wine in the 1980s
Increasing world wide demand for white wine - increase Chablis and Maconnais
1986= 60% red
2019=60% white
Why does Burgundy, representing only 4.5% of France’s total wine production, rank as so important on global wine stage
Represents 21% of French wine revenue (still wines)
What is the general climate of Burgundy
Continental
How does the climate in Burgundy vary from North to South
Warmer as travel south
Oceanic influences in North
Mediterranean influences in South
How do the differing climatic influences impact the growing season
In South- eg Maconnais- budbreak and harvest is earlier (week for budbreak, several weeks for Harvest)
In North - eg Chablis and Le Grand Auxerrois enjoy a more semi-continental climate that is wetter, and are often susceptible to springtime frosts- Budbreak and harvest is later
What are the geological forces that formed the Bourgogne region
Jurassic period - area was sea
Later Alps formed, Bresse plain fell
Rift valley formed (graben) - of which Cote d’Or escarpment is part
Many subsequent faults and valleys formed by rivers surrounding
What are the two uplifts of the Saone Graben
Jura (to East)
Morvan uplands (to West) - part of Massif Central
How does vineyard location on the slope relate to wine quality
Top of slope=Stony, eroded (possibly too cold), steep, rainfall falls away too quickly
Bottom of slope = More clay, fertility, water, deep soils
Middle is perfect - also get best sun aspect
How does slope aspect relate to wine quality
Best are South, South East facing
Sun in morning and during day
Protection from westerly winds
Which are the primary grape varities of Burgundy
White=Chardonnay, Aligote
(plus some Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne and Sacy)
Red=Pinot Noir
(plus some Pinot Gris, Gamay and Cesar)