Burgundy

Question 1

Côte de Nuits: Appellations

Answer 1

Fixin
Gevrey-Chambertin
Morey-St-Denis
Chombolle-Musigny
Vougeot 
Vosne-Romanée
Nuits-St-Georges

Question 2

Burgundy vintages: 2015

Answer 2

Reds: Excellent year, low yields, small berries, early harvest; acid levels may be critical

Whites: Richer year with lower acids; Chablis affected by hail

Question 3

Burgundy vintages: 2014

Answer 3

Red: Mild winter and cooler, wet summer, some saving sun in September; lighter wines. Devastating hailstorm on the Côte the Beaune in late June

White: Promising; cool summer allowed slow ripening and good acidity; excellent in Chablis

Question 4

Burgundy vintages: 2013

Answer 4

Red: Cold winter, late start to season, cool summer, patchy sun in September the saving grace; devastating hail-storm in late July on the Côte de Beaune, especially for Savigny le Beaune (parts of Corton did better, for example); small quantities, some potential, especially Côte de Nuits

White: Cold spring, erratic summer; careful selection required, so quality-focussed producers are worth seeking out.

Question 5

Burgundy vintages: 2012

Answer 5

Red: Erratic weather with a damp summer, rot/mildew issues, low volumes of variable quality; some very good results, however. Overall a softer year.

White: Challenging weather, small harvest; wines of good (very good?) quality, however.

Question 6

Burgundy vintages: 2011

Answer 6

Red: Erratic weather, variable results with many disappointments.

White: Tricky vintage, lower ripeness, chaptalization often required.

Question 7

Burgundy vintages: 2010

Answer 7

Red: Small, ripe crop with better acidity after plush 2009s; September storm meant timing/sorting critical.

White: Lower than average volumes, but some excellent results, with higher acidity than 2009

Question 8

Burgundy vintages: 2009

Answer 8

Red: Dry, warm year means riper, softer wines that are/were approachable early.

White: Warm, ripe year, with larger harvest meaning balanced grapes and wines; a match for 2005?

Question 9

Burgundy vintages: 2008

Answer 9

Red: Extremely difficult year (couture, mildew, hail); some September sun, but a high-acidity year.

White: Challenging, but high acidity a positive for the better whites, with good freshness.

Question 10

Burgundy vintages: 2007

Answer 10

Red: Summer dampness led to serious rot issues; selection was critical, quality unspectacular.

White: Wet summer, but drying August winds a saving grace; crisper than 2005 or 2006.

Question 11

Burgundy vintages: 2006

Answer 11

Red: A poor summer led to vine health problems; some pure, expressive wine, but much austerity.

White: Early September good weather produced fleshy, early-maturing wines.

Question 12

Burgundy vintages: 2005

Answer 12

Red: An exceptional vintage; wines may require some time to mellow.

White: A potentially great year; great concentration.

Question 13

Burgundy vintages: standouts pre-2005

Answer 13

2002(W), 2000(Chab), 1999(R!,W), 1995(R,W), 1993(R), 1992(W), 1990(R!,Chab), 1989(R,W!), 1988(R/), 1985(R/,W), 1978(R!)