Burgundy Flashcards
What important topographical feature affects wines throughout the Cote-d’Or?
Combes. In Cote de Nuits the largest are found in Marsannay, Gevery-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, and Nuits-Saint-George
How do Combes in Cote de Nuits compare to those of the Cote de Beaune?
The tend to be narrower and deeper. Causing faster rushing winds that have greater effects on the vineyards around them.
Where are the best vineyards located in Côte d’Or? What vineyards are in these locations?
Coming out of a Combe, with slightly southeast exposure? Clos St-Jacques (Gevrey), Clos St-Denis, Les Fuees and Les Cras (Chambolle), Les Suchots (Vosne)
What are vineyards benefited by being in southeast exposures at the exit of a Combe?
They have ideal sun exposure, with extreme cooling from the vent of the hillside.
What is the difference between clones and Massal Selection?
A clone is from 1 mother vine that is then propagated at an off-site location. This maintains a single clone and creates less diversity. Massal Selection is a selection of vines with desirable characteristics, that are then planted on site. They can come from multiple parent vines and increase the diversity of the vineyard.
What evidence shows that vines have memory?
Research from University of Dijon. Grew a vine in a confined space and created a dwarf. Took cuttings and planted them in open area, and they remained dwarfs for a few generations.
How does the idea of vine memory play toward village identification?
Nearby villages would have shard cuttings. Meaning that regions would have been propagating vines with similar characteristics that slowly adapted. Creating regions of similar character.
What is the Pinot Foundation Project?
Set up by Albert de Villaine, its a group of 40 like-minded domaines that comb their old vineyards in search of “Pinot Fin” (fine Pinot).
What is Fine Pinot?
A collection of Pinot specimens found in old vineyards that strongly display quality-oriented characteristics. Small clusters, not too tight for aeration, small berries, low production.
What cities demarcate the Cote de Nuits?
Dijon to Nuits-Saint-Georges
How many premier crus in Marsannay? Grand Crus?
NONE
Describe the soils of Marsannay.
Thicker topsoils that are a mess of silt, gravel and clay. Makes for wine not suitable for premier/grand cru.
What kind of wine is “excellent” from Marsannay?
Pinot Noir Rose
What are the wines of Marsannay like?
Medium-bodied. Red berry fruits with florals and stony notes. Little more weight, flesh and density. Can be good but not deep or complex.
What are the wines of Fixin like?
Crunchy, lean, bony. Less flesh. Tannin and acid dominate the wine.
What is good about Fixin wines?
They soften over time and can make great bargain wines to age.
How many Grand Crus in Gevrey-Chambertin? What are they?
9: Chambertin, Chambertin-Clos de Beze, Charmes-Chambertin, Chapelle-Chambertin, Mazoyeres-Chambertin, Mazis-Chambertin, Griotte-Chambertin, Ruchottes-Chambertin, Latricieres-Chambertin
What is the famous Combe of Gevrey?
Combe Lavaux
What great Premier Crus are situated on the Combe Lavaux?
Clos St-Jacques, Lavaux St-Jacques
What are classical traits of Gevrey-Chambertin?
Darker, more purple color. Darker fruits. Savory flavors of dried herbs, spices, more gaminess. Densely packed, tightly woven tannins.
Top producers of Gevrey-Chambertin?
Armand Rousseau, Domaine Fourrier, Philippe Pacalet
How many Grand Crus are in Morey-St-Denis? What are they?
5: Clos St-Denis, Clos de la Roche, Bonne Mares (shared with Chombolle), Clos des Lambrays, Clos de Tart (monopole)
The wines of Morey St-Denis are getting better or worse?
“One to keep an eye on” (Better)
Where in Cote de Nuit can you find Aligoté?
Clos does Monts Luisants1
What are the wines of Morey St-Denis like?
Elegant, not as ethereal as Chambolle, yet not as structured and brawny as Gevrey
Best producers of Morey St-Denis:
Domaine Dujac, Domaine Ponsot, Domaine des Lambrays, Cecile Tremblay, Hubert Lignier
How many Grand Crus in Chambolle- Musigny? What are they?
2: Bonnes Mares (mostly Morey), and Musigny
What is the most well known Premier Cru of Chambolle Musigny?
Les Amoureuses
What about the village of Chambolle-Musigny affects the way its wines are structured?
The village sits higher on the slope than any other village making them slightly cooler and (being higher) in more limestone
What soils are found in Chambolle Musigny?
Terres rouges (reddish-brown with more clay) and terres blanches (limestone rich marl)
What is the classic taste of Chambolle-Musigny?
Light, ethereal expression of Pinot. Less extraction, almost look like dark rose.
Best producers of Chambolle-Musigny:
Domaine Georges Roumier, Jacques-Frederic Mugnier
When was the Clos de Vougeot founded? By who?
1100, by Cistercian monks
What is the largest Grand Cru in the Cote de Nuits?
Clos de Vougeot
What is the problem with Clos Vougeot?
It is so big, and vines at the top of the hill in great soils are much better than those in the mud by the road. 80 different owners. Some bad expressions.
How much of the region of Clos de Vougeot is dominated by the Grand Cru Clos? Are there Premier Cru/village?
80% grand cru! yes, great examples exist.
How are the soils laid out in Vougeot?
Uphill, very little clay and a lot of limestone. More clay midslope. Alluvial and not well draining bottom slope.
Best producers of Clos Vougeot:
Domaine Leroy, Domaine Anne Gros, Domaine Mugneret-Gibourg
How many Grand Cru in Vosne Romanee? What are they?
6: La Tache, La Grand Rue, La Romanee, Romanee Conti, Romanee St-Vivant, Richebourg
How many Grand Cru in Flagey-Echezeaux? What are they?
2: Grand-Echezeaux, Echezeaux
What makes the soil of Vosne Romanee so good?
The presence of montmorillonite.
What is montmorillonite?
A special clay mineral that is great for vines. Also found in Pomerol.
What Premier Cru in Vosne Romanee is considered “just below grand cru”?
Malconsorts
What are the biggest names in whole cluster wines from Burgundy?
DRC, Domaine Leroy, and Domaine Dujac