Burgundy Flashcards
What are the main regions of Burgundy, listed from North to South?
- Chablis
- Côte de Nuits – the night slope
- Côte de Beaune – the slope of Beaune
- Côte Chalonnaise – the slope of Chalon
- Mâconnais – the region of Mâcon
Technically also:
6. Beaujolais
Describe the basic geography of Chablis.
Location, climate, and soil
Chablis is the northernmost part of Burgundy (although it is closer to Champagne in terms of location, climate, and soil). It is 100 miles from the Cote d’Or and 20 miles from Champagne, centered around the river Serein.
The climate is continental, with harsh, cold winters, frosty springs and falls, and hot summers.
The soil is predominantly kimmeridgian clay marl, much like Champagne.
What kind of wine is made in Chablis?
White, with 100% Chardonnay grapes.
How many appelations are in Chablis? What are they?
Three.
- Petit Chablis AOP
- Chablis AOP
- Grand Cru Chablis AOP
Name the climats of Grand Cru Chablis AOP from east to west
Where they are located in Chablis?
There are 7, located just across the river Serein from the city of Chablis. From East to West, they are.
- Bougros
- Les Preuses
- Vaudesir
- Grenouilles
- Valmur
- Les Clos
- Blanchot
What is the difference between a Chateau and a Domaine?
A Chateau is a single estate comprise of a house or building surrounded by vineyards.
A Domaine is a collection of vineyard parcels (usually very small ones) owned by the same family or entity. These parcels are often scattered throughout many villages/appellations, and Domaines typically make a separate wine from each one.
How are Burgundian wines classified?
List in ascending order
- Bourgogne Blanc/Rouge
- Bourgogne Villages
- Premier Cru
- Grand Cru
How many Premier and Grand Cru vineyards are there in Burgundy?
629 Premier Cru vineyards
33 Grand Cru vineyards
When were the vineyards of Burgundy classified?
1861
Name some of the best recent vintages of Burgundy.
1989 1990 2002*** 2005 2009 2010 2014 2015 2016
Describe the geographical layout of Burgundy.
Burgundy is in East-Central France and consists of Chablis, centered on the Serein river, 20 miles south of Champagne, with the main section of Burgundy 100 miles further south. This section stretches 140 miles further south from the city of Dijon. Beginning with the Cote d’Or, subdivided into the Cote de Nuits in the north, and the Cote de Beaune in the south. South of this are the Cote Chalonnais and the Maconnais.
Technically (and politically) Beaujolais to the south of the Maconnais is also part of Burgundy, but in regards to wine it is considered a separate region.
What is a monopole?
A vineyard with only one owner. (These are rare in Burgundy)
What are some trademark “Burgundian Winemaking” techniques?
Name 6
- Harvesting small lots and making each lot separately
- Using indigenous yeasts
- Barrel fermented whites that go through malolactic fermentation
- Long lees contact and batonnage of white wines
- Small open-topped fermenters for red wine
- 15-18 months of oak aging (not usually 100% new)
Describe the basic geography of the Cote d’Or.
Location, geographical landmarks, and soil
The Cote d’Or is a 30 mile long, 1000ft high, east-facing limestone escarpment. It is the most renowned wine region in Burgundy. The northern half of this escarpment is the Cote de Nuits - the southern half is the Cote de Beaune.
The highest third of the slopes of the Cote d’Or are thinner and better drained, with more limestone, but the sun is not ideal (Many Premier Cru vineyards lie here)
The midslope is often called the thermal belt. Limestone and marl is abundant here, and there is a perfect 45 degree sun exposure (The Grand Cru vineyards lie here)
The bottom third of the slopes are the most humble. The soil is heavier, less well-drained, and full of clay (Most village wines are made here)
Describe the general climate and soil of Burgundy.
Burgundy is cool, influenced by the Atlantic. Of all regions famous for red wine, it is the most northerly. It frequently rains in early fall, which poses a concern for winemakers; pick underripe and avoid the rain or aim for ripeness and take the gamble.
The soil is limestone and limestone rich clay called marl.
How many main villages are in the Cote Chalonnaise? What are they?
There are 5. North to South, they are:
- Bouzeron
- Rully
- Mercury
- Givry
- Montagny
What Burgundian AOP is known for production of Aligote? Where is it located?
Bouzeron AOP - 100% Aligote. It is in the northernmost village of the Cote Chalonnaise.
Describe the basic geography of the Maconnais.
Location, geographical landmarks, and soil
South of the Cote Chalonnais, the Maconnais is a large area of low-lying hills, woodlands, and meadows.
Much of the soil is limestone and marl, but the southern end also has granite and schist.
Where is Pouilly-Fuisse? What is it known for?
It is in the southern Maconnais.
It’s known for bold dense chardonnay grown in its generous limestone soils.
What are the main villages of the Maconnais?
St.-Veran
Pouilly-Fuisse (St.-Veran encapsulates Pouilly-Fuisse to the north and south)
Macon
What kind of wine is made in the Cote d’Or?
Red and White
The Cote de Nuits makes red wine almost exclusively.
The Cote de Beaune produced both, but whites dominate.
Home to all but one of the 33 Grand Crus of Burgundy, with the exception of Chablis.
What kind of wine is made in the Cote Chalonnaise?
Red and White
There are no Grand Crus here, but there are several Premier Crus. This region is less expensive than the Cote d’Or.
What kind of wine is made in the Maconnais?
Mostly white.
Lots of basic chardonnay is made here. No Grand or Premier Crus.
Name 5 Grand Crus in the Cote de Nuits.
BONUS: Which village are they in?
- Chambertin (Gevrey-Chambertin)
- Clos de la Roche (Morey-Saint-Denis)
- Musigny (Chambolle-Musigny)
- Romanee-Conti (Vosne-Romanee)
- La Tache, (Vosne-Romanee)
Name a Grand Cru, Premier Cru, and Village Bourgogne Rouge Producer
Domaine Leroy - Clos de la Roche, Morey-Saint-Denis (Grand Cru)
Domaine Dujac - Les Gruenchers, Chambolle-Musigny (Premier Cru)
Aurelien Verdet - En la Rue de Vergy, Morey-Saint-Denis (Village)
Name two Grand and Premier Cru Bourgogne Blanc Producers
Domaine Laroche - Les Blanchots, Chablis (Grand Cru)
Domaine Leflaive - Batard-Montrachet (Grand Cru)
Rene et Vincent Dauvissat - Vaillons, Chablis (Premier Cru)
Domaine Ramonet - Les Ruchottes, Chassagne-Montrachet (Premier Cru)
How many Crus of Beaujolais are there?
Name them from North to South
10
St-Amour Julienas Chenas Moulin-A-Vent Fleurie Chiroubles Morgon Regnie Brouilly Cote de Brouilly
(Some just can’t make fried chicken. Making raw, breaded chicken.)
What are the 3 classifications of Beajolais?
Beaujolais
Beaujolais-Villages
Beaujolais Cru
Describe the basic geography of Beaujolais.
Location, climate, geographical landmarks, and soil
Beaujolais is just South of (and slightly overlapping) the Maconnais.
A 35 mile long, 9 mile wide strip, it is bordered to the west by the Monts de Beaujolais and on the east by the Saone river valley.
The climate in Beaujolais is continental, but slightly warmer and drier than the rest of Burgundy.
The hills in the northern half are full of desirable granite soil - this is where all 10 Crus lie. The plains in the southern half are mostly sedimentary rock and clay soil - this is where basic Beaujolais comes from.
