Burgundy Flashcards
What are the major wine regions in France?
What characterizes Burgundy’s historical background?
Even though most wines are made with one of only two grape varieties, its intricate and complex system of land ownership makes understanding the region quite difficult.
What are the historical beginnings of Burgundy?
Middle Ages: Land owned by Catholic Church’s Benedictine and then Cistercian Monasteries. Cistercian Monks from the abbey of Citeaux painstakingly studied the vineyards. Identified tiny parcels that yielded superior results. Named and classified wines by their terroir
What caused Burgundy’s complex land ownership?
During the French Revolution, Burgundy’s vineyards were taken away from the church and the aristocracy. Many large properties were broken up and sold as smaller pieces to new owners.
In 1804, the emperor Napoléon instituted a new system of inheritance, requiring that estates be divided equally among male heirs. Named the Code of Inheritance, this system led to the fragmentation of Burgundy’s vineyards, because upon the death of a parent all male children inherited equal amounts of property.
Where is Burgundy located?
Eastern / Central France near the border with Switzerland.
Five sub-regions of Burgundy?
- Chablis
- Cote d’Or (Cote de Nuits / Cote de Beaune)
- Cote Chalonnaise
- Maconnais
- Beaujolais
Burgundy’s climate?
Continental
Burgundy’s topography/aspect?
- Rolling hills
- Côte d’Or slope (The best vineyards are on hillsides facing east/southeast)
What soils characterize Burgundy?
- Chalk
- Calcareous Clay
- Marl
- Limestone
- Granite (in Beaujolais)
What grape varieties are grown in Burgundy?
- Chardonnay
- Aligote
- Pinot Noir
- Gamay
Define Domaine.
Growers/producers that own the vineyards they are producing wine from.
__________ are wine merchants who buy grapes and/or finished wines for blending and bottling under their own labels.
Negociants
Define Clos?
Plot of vineyard land traditionally surrounded with dry-stone walls.
What is a Monopole?
Parcel of land with single ownership.
What characterizes a village wine and its labeling?
One hundred percent of the grapes are grown in and around the named village, in this case Gevrey-Chambertin. In a clever marketing move, many of Burgundy’s wine villages have appended the name of their most famous vineyard onto the name of the village to garner more attention for the village wines.
What characterizes a 1er Cru wine and its labeling?
Village, name of specific vineyard, and “Premier Cru” or “1er Cru” all on label. 100% of grapes come from specific named vineyard.
What characterizes a Grand Cru wine and its labeling?
No village name on the label, only the name of the vineyard. 100% of the grapes come from one of the very best vineyards in Burgundy.
Where is Chablis located?
80 miles north of the Cote d’Or (its actually closer to Champagne than the rest of Burgundy).
Climate in Chablis?
Cool Continental
Soil in Chablis?
Kimmeridgian Clay / Limestone
Grape varieties in Chablis?
100% Chardonnay
What characterizes viticultural practices in Chablis?
Picking time is critical because of late season frosts.
What characterizes vinification practices in Chablis?
No oak is used with lower-tier wines but is often used with upper-tier wines. Malolactic fermentation is common practice.
What is the appellation hierarchy in Chablis?
- Chablis AOP
- Petit Chablis AOP
- Chablis Premier Cru AOP
- Chablis Grand Cru AOP
How many Grand Cru AOP’s are in Chablis?
1 (with seven vineyard designations or seven “climats”)
Where does the Cote d’Or start and end?
30 miles escarpment that starts at Dijon and ends at the village of Santenay.
What are the two subregions of Cote d’Or?
- Cote de Nuits
- Cote de Beaune
Cote de Nuits - Location?
Northern section of the Cote d’Or
Cote de Nuits - Topography/Aspect?
Hillsides and ridges. Top vineyard sites are often in the middle section of the hillside.
Cote de Nuits - Climate?
Continental
Cote de Nuits - Grape varieties?
Pinot Noir
Cote de Nuits - Soil?
- Marl
- Limestone
What does the French word “Cote” mean?
Hillside or slope
What is the primary aspect of terroir in Burgundy?
Hillsides and slopes. Soil compositions and microclimates can vary dramatically.