Burgundy Deep Dive

Question 1

What is the overarching characteristic of Burgundy’s wine classifications?

Answer 1

It is terroir-driven: classifications are based on specific vineyards rather than estates or châteaux, emphasizing site expression.

Question 2

Name Burgundy’s major grape varieties.

Answer 2

Red: Pinot Noir, Gamay. White: Chardonnay, Aligoté (notable in Bouzeron). Sauvignon Blanc appears in St-Bris.

Question 3

What are the main subregions of Burgundy?

Answer 3

Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais, and Beaujolais (often included under Greater Burgundy).

Question 4

Which climate type dominates Burgundy (excluding Beaujolais)?

Answer 4

Mostly continental, with cold winters, hot summers, and risk of frost in spring/fall.

Question 5

Describe the soils common to Burgundy’s Côte d’Or.

Answer 5

Limestone and marl dominate, providing excellent drainage and mineral complexity. Clay content varies, influencing body and structure.

Question 6

What type of soil is Chablis especially known for?

Answer 6

Kimmeridgian limestone (fossil-rich), ideal for high-quality Chardonnay, plus some Portlandian limestone in less-prestigious sites.

Question 7

Which wind can influence parts of southern Burgundy and Beaujolais?

Answer 7

The Mistral wind can blow northward into the Saône Valley, bringing drier conditions.

Question 8

How does the Napoleonic inheritance law affect Burgundy’s vineyards?

Answer 8

It forces equal inheritance among heirs, causing extreme fragmentation of vineyard parcels, with many owners in a single cru.

Question 9

What is the basic AOP covering all of Burgundy?

Answer 9

Bourgogne AOP, producing entry-level red (Pinot Noir) and white (Chardonnay) from across the region.

Question 10

Name the four levels of the Burgundy AOP hierarchy.

Answer 10

1) Régionale (e.g., Bourgogne AOP), 2) Village, 3) Premier Cru (a vineyard within a village), 4) Grand Cru (its own AOP).

Question 11

Which region of Burgundy produces only Chardonnay?

Answer 11

Chablis (though small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc exist in neighboring St-Bris). Chablis is 100% Chardonnay by law.

Question 12

What is Petit Chablis?

Answer 12

It is an AOP for lighter, earlier-drinking Chardonnay typically grown on higher or Portlandian limestone soils rather than prime Kimmeridgian sites.

Question 13

How many Grand Crus are in Chablis, and are they contiguous?

Answer 13

There is one overall “Chablis Grand Cru” area, but it contains seven lieu-dits (Blanchot, Bougros, Les Clos, Grenouilles, Preuses, Valmur, Vaudésir), all on a single southwest-facing slope.

Question 14

Which premier cru vineyards in Chablis are especially renowned?

Answer 14

Montée de Tonnerre, Fourchaume, Vaillons, Montmains, and Les Forêts are among the top-rated Chablis Premier Cru sites.

Question 15

Describe the typical style of Chablis wines.

Answer 15

Lean, high acid, mineral, often “flinty,” with little or no oak influence (except in some modern producers’ styles).

Question 16

Where is the Côte de Nuits located, and what is its specialty?

Answer 16

It is the northern half of the Côte d’Or in Burgundy, specializing in age-worthy Pinot Noir from limestone-clay soils.

Question 17

Name two famous villages/AOPs in the Côte de Nuits.

Answer 17

Gevrey-Chambertin and Vosne-Romanée are prime examples, each featuring multiple Grand Cru vineyards.

Question 18

Which village in the Côte de Nuits is known for some of the world’s most expensive wines?

Answer 18

Vosne-Romanée, home to Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, and Richebourg (Domaine de la Romanée-Conti).

Question 19

What is unique about Nuits-Saint-Georges?

Answer 19

It has no Grand Cru vineyards but many highly regarded Premier Crus like Les Saint-Georges and Les Vaucrains.

Question 20

Name a key Grand Cru in Gevrey-Chambertin.

Answer 20

Chambertin and Clos de Bèze are the two most prestigious Grand Crus; others include Mazis-Chambertin, Ruchottes-Chambertin, etc.

Question 21

List two major Grand Cru vineyards in Chambolle-Musigny.

Answer 21

Musigny and Bonnes Mares are the Grand Crus; Premier Cru Les Amoureuses is also highly esteemed.

Question 22

Describe Vougeot’s famous single Grand Cru.

Answer 22

Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru covers over 50 hectares with many different owners, resulting in varied wine quality under one appellation.

Question 23

Which half of the Côte d’Or is typically more Chardonnay-focused?

Answer 23

The Côte de Beaune (the southern half) is known for top white Burgundies (e.g., Montrachet, Meursault).

Question 24

Name a Grand Cru in Aloxe-Corton that produces both red and white.

Answer 24

Corton (red) and Corton-Charlemagne (white) share the same hill; certain parcels can produce either style depending on the vineyard’s designation.

Question 25

Which village produces only red wines in the Côte de Beaune?

Answer 25

Pommard produces exclusively Pinot Noir, known for its sturdy, tannic style.

Question 26

What are Meursault’s top Premier Cru vineyards known for?

Answer 26

Perrières, Genevrières, and Charmes produce rich, complex Chardonnays, often with nutty, buttery notes from oak and bâtonnage.

Question 27

Name two legendary white Grand Crus shared by Puligny and Chassagne.

Answer 27

Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet are among the most revered; also Chevalier-Montrachet and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet.

Question 28

What is the Côte Chalonnaise known for?

Answer 28

Underrated, good value. Produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and some Aligoté in warmer conditions than the Côte de Beaune.

Question 29

Which Côte Chalonnaise AOP focuses on Aligoté?

Answer 29

Bouzeron AOP is unique in Burgundy for producing wine solely from Aligoté.

Question 30

Name an AOP in the Côte Chalonnaise known for sparkling wine.

Answer 30

Rully AOP produces white, red, and notable Crémant de Bourgogne.

Question 31

Which Côte Chalonnaise AOP is considered the best for Pinot Noir?

Answer 31

Mercurey is regarded as producing the most structured and long-lived reds in the Côte Chalonnaise.

Question 32

What grape is grown exclusively in Montagny AOP?

Answer 32

Chardonnay only, producing white wines that can have a steely, mineral edge.

Question 33

Which subregion of Burgundy is influenced by Mediterranean warmth?

Answer 33

The Mâconnais, where the climate is slightly warmer, yielding ripe Chardonnay (and some Pinot Noir, Gamay).

Question 34

Name the main AOPs in the Mâconnais.

Answer 34

Mâcon AOP (includes red, rosé, white), Viré-Clessé, Pouilly-Fuissé, Pouilly-Loché, Pouilly-Vinzelles, and Saint-Véran (all white only).

Question 35

Why is Pouilly-Fuissé considered the top AOP in the Mâconnais?

Answer 35

It produces rich, concentrated Chardonnay from limestone soils around the rock formations of Solutré and Vergisson.

Question 36

Name the major grape of Beaujolais.

Answer 36

Gamay dominates Beaujolais, grown on granite-based soils that impart structure and freshness.

Question 37

How does the Beaujolais climate differ from northern Burgundy?

Answer 37

It is slightly warmer, with more Mediterranean influence, favoring earlier ripening for Gamay.

Question 38

What is the standard hierarchy in Beaujolais?

Answer 38

1) Beaujolais AOP (basic), 2) Beaujolais-Villages AOP (higher quality), 3) Cru Beaujolais (10 individual crus like Morgon, Fleurie).

Question 39

List three of the 10 Beaujolais Crus.

Answer 39

Morgon, Fleurie, and Moulin-à-Vent are three of the most famous, each with distinct styles ranging from fruity and floral to more structured and age-worthy.

Question 40

Which Beaujolais Cru is known for its age-worthy wines often compared to Pinot Noir?

Answer 40

Morgon and Moulin-à-Vent both produce structured Gamay that can develop with cellar age.

Question 41

What is carbonic maceration, often associated with Beaujolais?

Answer 41

A technique where whole grapes ferment in a CO2-rich environment, producing fruity, low-tannin red wines with candy-like aromas.

Question 42

Which rare white grape is permitted in Beaujolais?

Answer 42

Chardonnay is allowed in small amounts for Beaujolais Blanc or Beaujolais-Villages Blanc.

Question 43

Explain the concept of lieu-dit vs. climat in Burgundy.

Answer 43

A lieu-dit is a named vineyard plot; a climat is a specific terroir unit (soil, microclimate) recognized for consistent character. Both terms overlap but climat often implies historical significance and classification.

Question 44

When was the first official AOC in Burgundy established?

Answer 44

1936 saw the start of AOC in France, with regions like Mercurey among the early adopters in Burgundy.

Question 45

How did the Duke of Burgundy’s 1395 edict affect regional grapes?

Answer 45

He banned Gamay in the Côte d’Or to promote Pinot Noir, pushing Gamay south (Beaujolais).

Question 46

What impact did phylloxera (1860s) have on Burgundy?

Answer 46

It devastated vineyards, forcing replanting and influencing rootstock use. Vineyards were rebuilt with grafted vines over decades.

Question 47

What are typical oak regimens for white Burgundy in the Côte de Beaune?

Answer 47

30–50% new oak for Premier Cru, with bâtonnage (lees stirring), imparting a creamy texture and subtle toast.

Question 48

Which domaine is highly revered in Vosne-Romanée for top-tier Pinot Noir?

Answer 48

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) owns Romanée-Conti and La Tâche, producing extremely expensive, collectible wines.

Question 49

Name a top biodynamic producer in the Côte de Nuits.

Answer 49

Domaine Leroy is famous for biodynamic viticulture and high-quality, small-production wines.

Question 50

Which iconic producer in Puligny-Montrachet is known for world-class Chardonnay?

Answer 50

Domaine Leflaive is recognized for its top Premier and Grand Cru whites (e.g., Chevalier-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet).

Question 51

Name a major Burgundy négociant known for quality.

Answer 51

Louis Jadot is a well-established négociant and producer with a broad portfolio of wines from multiple appellations.