Burgundy - France - CMS Intro Somm Flashcards
What is Burgundy often considered in the context of wine regions?
One of the world’s most difficult wine regions to understand
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.
Which two grape varieties are most wines in Burgundy made from?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
What historical institutions primarily owned much of the vineyard land in Burgundy during the Middle Ages?
The Catholic Church’s Benedictine and then the Cistercian monasteries
What did Cistercian monks from the abbey of Cîteaux do in the 11th century in Burgundy?
Studied the vineyards, identifying often tiny, superior parcels that produced wines of distinct character
These vineyard plots would eventually become many of Burgundy’s most prestigious appellations and produce its greatest wines.
How are Burgundy’s vineyards named and classified?
By their terroir
What major event led to the redistribution of Burgundy’s vineyards away from the church and aristocracy?
The French Revolution
Many large properties were broken up and sold as smaller pieces to new owners.
In what year did the emperor Napoléon institute a new system of inheritance?
1804
This was called the Code of Inheritance.
What was the impact of the Napoléonic Code of Inheritance instituted in 1804?
Estates were divided equally among male heirs, leading to fragmentation of vineyards
Upon the death of a parent, all male children inherited equal amounts of property.
What is Clos Vougeot?
A single, walled 125-acre vineyard once managed by Cistercian monks
How many different plots does Clos Vougeot have today?
Nearly 80 different plots with different owners
Some of whom own only enough vines to make a case or two of wine per vintage.
What does the AOP law allow for the different owners of Clos Vougeot?
All owners can use the Grand Cru Clos de Vougeot designation on their labels
Even though the quality, style, price, and reputation of the different owners’ wines can vary widely.
Fill in the blank: Burgundy’s vineyards are classified by their _______.
[terroir]
Where is Burgundy located?
Eastern/Central France near the border with Switzerland
What are the five sections of Burgundy listed from north to south?
- Chablis
- Côte d’Or - Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune
- Côte Chalonnaise
- Mâconnais
- Beaujolais
What type of climate does Burgundy have?
Continental
What is the topography of Burgundy characterized by?
- Rolling hills
- Côte d’Or slope
Where are the best vineyards located in Burgundy?
On hillsides facing east/southeast
What are the main soil types found in Burgundy?
- Chalk
- Calcareous clay
- Marl
- Limestone
What soil type is primarily found in Beaujolais?
Granite
What is the main white grape variety in Burgundy?
Chardonnay
Which white grape variety is found in small plots in Burgundy?
Aligoté
What are the main red grape varieties in Burgundy?
- Pinot Noir
- Gamay (mostly Beaujolais)
Which red grape variety is primarily grown in Beaujolais?
Gamay
What is the basis of Burgundy’s Appellation System?
Specific vineyard sites and their location
In the Burgundy AOP Pyramid, what happens as the area gets smaller?
Quantity decreases and, in theory, quality increases
What are the designations of Burgundy’s classification system from top to bottom?
- 33 Grands Crus (2%)
- 550-600 Premiers Crus (12%)
- Village Wines (30%)
- Regional Appellations (56% of total production)
What percentage of total production do Grands Crus represent in Burgundy?
2% (33)
Grands Crus are the highest classification of Burgundy wines.
What is the percentage of Premiers Crus in Burgundy’s total production?
12% (550-600)
Premiers Crus are the second highest classification in Burgundy wines.
What percentage of Burgundy’s total wine production is made up of Village Wines?
30%
Village Wines are wines produced from grapes grown in specific villages.
What percentage of Burgundy’s wine production consists of Regional Appellations?
56%
Regional Appellations are the broadest classification of Burgundy wines.
What is a Domaine in the context of Burgundy wine?
Grower/producers that own the vineyards they are producing wine from.
The entire process from growing the grapes to aging and bottling the wine is done by the Domaine itself.
Define Négociants in the context of Burgundy wine.
Wine merchants who buy grapes and/or finished wines for blending and bottling under their own labels.
This word rarely appears on a label.
What does the term ‘Clos’ refer to in the context of Burgundy?
A plot of vineyard land traditionally surrounded with dry-stone walls.
Clos Vougeot, a Grand Cru vineyard next to the tiny village of Vougeot, is a famous example.
What is a Monopole (Monopoly) in Burgundy wine terminology?
Parcels of vineyard land with single ownership.
They are less common than you might think. Most vineyards in Burgundy have multiple owners.
What is the significance of a Village Wine in the context of Burgundy wine labels?
One hundred percent of the grapes are grown in and around the named village.
Many villages append the name of their most famous vineyard to gain attention.
What distinguishes a Single Vineyard Premier Cru (1er Cru) or Grand Cru wine in the context of Burgundy wine labeling?
One hundred percent of the grapes come from a specific vineyard, one of the very best vineyard sites in the case of a Grand Cru.
The label will only have the name of the vineyard in the case of a Grand Cru.
True or False: The village name appears on the label of a Grand Cru wine.
False
Where is Chablis located?
80 miles north of the Côte d’Or and closer to Champagne than to the rest of Burgundy
What is the climate of Chablis, Burgundy?
Cool continental
What type of soil is found in Chablis, Burgundy?
- Kimmeridgian clay
- Limestone
What grape variety is used in Chablis, Burgundy?
100% Chardonnay
Why is picking time critical in Chablis, Burgundy?
Because of late season frosts
Is oak used in lower-tier wines of Chablis, Burgundy?
No, but it is often used with upper-tier wines
What is common in the vinification of Chablis wines?
Malolactic fermentation
Name the AOPs of Chablis, Burgundy
- Chablis AOP
- Petit Chablis AOP
- Chablis Premier Cru AOP
- Chablis Grand Cru AOP
How many vineyards are designated as Premier Cru in Chablis, Burgundy
40 vineyards
How many vineyard designations are there for Chablis Grand Cru?
7 vineyard designations
Les Clos is a top example
What is the topography of most of the Chablis Grand Cru vineyards?
Most have a south/southwest exposure to maximize sunshine
What is the Côte d’Or?
A 30-mile-long escarpment in France that runs north to south from Dijon to Santenay.
What geographical feature does the Côte d’Or contain that is broken into two sections?
A narrow ridge of limestone
It is broken into the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune
What does the French word ‘côte’ mean?
Hillside or slope.
Where are the villages and vineyards of the Côte d’Or situated in relation to the geography?
They hug the hillsides.
One of the primary aspects of terroir in this region is the location of the vineyard on the slopes.
What factors vary in the Côte d’Or depending on the exact location of the vineyard?
- Soil compositions
- Microclimates.
What are the two sections of the Côte d’Or, Burgundy?
- Côte de Nuits (north)
- Côte de Beaune (south)
What is notable about the topography/aspect of Côte de Nuits (Côte d’Or, Burgundy)?
- Hillsides
- Ridges
Where are the top vineyard sites often situated in Côte de Nuits (Côte d’Or, Burgundy)?
In the middle sections of the hillsides
What is the climate of Côte de Nuits (Côte d’Or, Burgundy)?
Continental
What is the primary grape variety in Côte de Nuits (Côte d’Or, Burgundy)?
Pinot Noir
What type of soil is found in Côte de Nuits (Côte d’Or, Burgundy)?
- Marl
- Limestone
What are the threats to viticulture in Côte de Nuits (Côte d’Or, Burgundy)?
- Frost
- Summer hail
- Excessive rain in the fall
What are the vinification practices in Côte de Nuits (Côte d’Or, Burgundy)?
- Use of French oak, often new
- Some producers ferment with whole grape clusters, others completely de-stem
What is the appellation hierarchy in the Côte d’Or, Burgundy?
- Regional Appellations — Bourgogne AOP
- Bourgogne Cote d’Or AOP
- Côte de Nuits-Villages AOP
- Village AOP
- Premier (1er Cru) AOP
- Grand Cru AOP
What is the main difference between Bourgogne AOP and Bourgogne Cote d’Or AOP?
- Bourgogne AOP is for Pinot Noir or Chardonnay from anywhere in the entire Burgundy region
- Bourgogne Cote d’Or AOP is a sub-appellation for Pinot Noir or Chardonnay grown more specifically in Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune
What is the Côte de Nuits-Villages AOP?
A general appellation for wines from five small areas in the Côte de Nuits
Red wine (Pinot Noir) only appellation
What is the Village AOP in the context of the Côte d’Or, Burgundy?
100% of the grapes are grown in and around the named village
What are the nine villages in Côte de Nuits?
- Marsannay
- Fixin
- Gevrey-Chambertin
- Morey-St. Denis
- Chambolle-Musigny
- Vougeot
- Vosne-Romanée
- Flagey-Echézeaux
- Nuits-Saint-Georges
What is a Premier (1er) Cru AOP in the context of the Côte d’Or, Burgundy?
- 100% of the grapes are grown in a specific, individually named premier cru vineyard
- If no vineyard name is on the label, the wine can be a blend of grapes from any of the premier cru vineyards in that village
How many Premiers (1er) Crus are there in the Côte de Nuits?
More than 130
What does Grand Cru AOP mean in the context of the Côte d’Or?
100% of the grapes are grown in the named grand cru vineyard site
How many grands crus vineyards are in Côte de Nuits?
24
There are 33 total grands crus vineyards in Burgundy.
List five examples of grands crus vineyards in Côte de Nuits.
- Chambertin
- Bonnes-Mares
- Musigny
- La Tâche
- La Romanée
What are the top recent red vintages in the Côte de Nuits?
- 2005
- 2009
- 2010
- 2014
- 2015
What are the top recent white vintages in the Côte de Nuits?
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
What is the climate of Côte de Beaune?
Continental, with a wide range of microclimates
Microclimates range from village to village and even vineyard to vineyard
What are the soils of the Côte de Beaune?
- Marl
- Limestone
What grape varieties are found in Côte de Beaune?
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
What vessels are commonly used in the Côte de Beaune?
Oak, often new, is used for both reds and whites
What are some well-known villages in Côte de Beaune?
- Aloxe-Corton
- Beaune
- Pommard
- Volnay
- Meursault
- Puligny-Montrachet
- Chassagne-Montrachet
Generally how many Premier Crus (1er Crus) vineyards are there in the Côte de Beaune?
Hundreds
How many of Burgundy’s Grand Cru vineyard sites are in the Côte de Beaune?
8
What are four examples of Grands Crus vineyards in the Côte de Beaune?
- Corton
- Corton-Charlemagne
- Montrachet
- Bâtard-Montrachet
What are the top recent red vintages of Côte de Beaune?
- 2005
- 2009
- 2010
- 2014
- 2015
What are the top recent white vintages of Côte de Beaune?
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
Where is Côte Chalonnaise located?
Directly south of the Côte d’Or in Burgundy
What geographical feature is absent in Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy that affects its vineyards?
No hillside escarpments to protect the vineyards from east winds
What type of climate does Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy have?
Continental
What is the primary soil type found in Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy?
Limestone
What white grape varieties are grown in Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy?
- Chardonnay
- Aligoté (in small volume)
What red grape variety is commonly found in Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy?
Pinot Noir
What vinification practice is noted for wines from Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy?
Little to no new oak used for whites and reds
What are the five main villages in the Chalonnaise?
- Montagny
- Bouzeron
- Rully
- Givry
- Mercurey
Each village has its own AOP.
What type of wine is produced in Montagny AOP (Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy)?
White wine only — Chardonnay
What type of wine is produced in Bouzeron AOP (Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy)?
White wine only — 100% Aligoté
What types of wines are produced in Rully AOP (Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy)?
- White wines — Chardonnay
- Red wine — Pinot Noir
- Sparkling wines — Crémant de Bourgogne
What types of wines are produced in Givry AOP (Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy)?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
What types of wines are produced in Mercurey AOP (Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy)?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
What is a characteristic of wines from the Chalonnaise compared to those from the Côte d’Or?
Generally less expensive and often offer great value
True or False: There are grands crus in the Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy.
False
The Chalonnaise has no grands crus, only premiers crus.
What is the climate of Mâconnais, Burgundy?
Slightly warmer and drier than the more northern Burgundy regions.
Describe the topography of Mâconnais, Burgundy.
Relatively large area with low-lying hills and fairly flat farmland
What is the main white grape variety in Mâconnais, Burgundy?
Chardonnay
What are the main red grape varieties in Mâconnais, Burgundy?
- Pinot Noir
- Gamay
What type of wine production is predominant in Mâconnais, Burgundy?
Mainly white wine production
Is there a significant use of new oak in Mâconnais, Burgundy vinification?
Little use of new oak aside from the wines of Pouilly-Fuissé
Fill in the blank: The main grape variety in Mâconnais, Burgundy is _______.
Chardonnay
True or False: Mâconnais has a warmer and drier climate compared to more northern Burgundy regions.
True
Are there grands or premiers crus vineyards in the Mâconnais, Burgundy?
No
List the AOPs mentioned for the Mâconnais, Burgundy.
- Mâcon AOP
- Saint-Véran AOP
- Pouilly-Fuissé AOP
What is the primary type of wine produced in Mâcon AOP (Mâconnais, Burgundy)?
Chardonnay
Mainly white wines only
What type of wine is produced in Saint-Véran AOP (Mâconnais, Burgundy)?
White wine only — Chardonnay
Saint-Véran AOP may also involve the use of new oak.
What are the style and characteristics of the wines of Pouilly-Fuissé AOP (Mâconnais, Burgundy)?
- White wine only — Chardonnay
- Some use of new oak
Pouilly-Fuissé AOP is known for higher pricing compared to other regional wines.
What is the geographical location of Beaujolais?
South of, and slightly overlapping, the Mâconnais; 35 miles long from north to south
What type of climate does Beaujolais have?
Continental; but warmer than the rest of Burgundy
What types of soils are found in northern Beaujolais Cru villages?
Schist and granite
What types of soils are found in southern Beaujolais?
Sandstone and clay
What is the primary white grape variety grown in Beaujolais?
Chardonnay (in small volume)
What is the primary red grape variety grown in Beaujolais?
Gamay
What is the typical viticultural geography and practice in northern Beaujolais Crus?
- Hillside vineyards
- Low yields
What is the typical viticultural geography in southern Beaujolais?
Flatter plains
What vinification method is commonly used in Beaujolais?
Carbonic maceration
What types of fermentation vessels are used in Beaujolais vinification?
- Stainless steel
- Used or older French oak barrels
What are the regional appellations of Beaujolais?
- Beaujolais AOP
- Beaujolais Nouveau
- Beaujolais-Villages AOP
- Beaujolais Crus
What is Beaujolais AOP?
Made from grapes grown anywhere in the region (a small proportion is white)
What are Beaujolais Nouveau wines?
Easy-drinking red wines released on the third Thursday in November following the harvest.
They should be drunk soon afterwards.
When are Beaujolais Nouveau wines released?
On the third Thursday in November following the harvest
They should be drunk soon afterwards.
How many designated villages are in Beaujolais-Villages AOP?
38 designated villages.
The wines do not have individual village names on the labels and are simply designated as villages.
What are Beaujolais Crus?
The region’s best wines
These are red wines only made from the Gamay grape.
How many named villages are there in Beaujolais Crus?
Ten named villages, each with its own AOP.
What type of grape is used for Beaujolais Crus?
Gamay grape.
What type of vineyards are found in Beaujolais Crus?
Hillside vineyards.
What type of soil is characteristic of Beaujolais Crus?
Granite soil.
Give an example of a Beaujolais Cru Village.
Morgon AOP.
Morgon AOP is one of the most well-known Crus in the Beaujolais region.
