Burgundy (General Knowledge) Flashcards by Judy Frels

Is Burgundy renowned for its blends or single-varietal wines? What grapes are the most significant?

Single-varietal wines made from Pinot Noir (red wines) and Chardonnay (white wines)

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When does Burgundy’s viticultural history begin?

Some time during the Roman Empire’s control of the region

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What is a climat? When did the term originate? By whom?

An individually named vineyard plot. The concept originated during the time of the great Catholic monasteries, around 1,000 CE.

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Burgundy comprises which winemaking areas?

Chablis

Côte d’Or

Côte Chalonnaise

Mâconnais

Beaujolais

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Where is Burgundy situated?

The Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais occupy a relatively narrow strip of land running approximately north to south between Dijon and Mâcon (roughly 130 km).

Chablis is 110 km northwest of Dijon around the town of the same name in the Yonne departément.

Beaujolais is south of Mâcon.

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What are the divisions of the Côte d’Or?

Côte de Nuits

Côte de Beaune

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From north to south, name the villages of the Côte de Nuits.

Two are coming up…
1. Marsannay
2. Fixin
The rest…
3. Gevrey-Chambertin
4. Morey-St.-Denis
5. Chambolle-Musigny
6. Vougeot
7. Vosne-Romanée
8. Nuits-St.-George

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From north to south, name the villages of the Côte de Beaune.

Aloxe-Corton
Beaune
Pommard
Volnay
Gaining popularity
Auxey-Duresses
Saint-Romain
Continuing southward…
Meursault
Puligny-Montrachet
Chassagne-Montrachet
St. Aubin
Santenay

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Excluding Beaujolais, what plantings dominate Burgundy’s vineyards?

Chardonnay (50%)

Pinot Noir (41%)

Aligoté (6%)

Other (3%)

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What is the quality level and pricing of Burgundy wines?

Wide range of quality levels, but typically good to outstanding from mid- to super-premium pricing.

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What factors have led to the average prices of Burgundy remaining high?

Limited supply and surging worldwide demand.

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What percentage of Yonne département plantings comprises Chardonnay?

80%

Chablis is produced in the Yonne departément

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What percentage of Côte d’Or plantings comprises Pinot Noir?

Over 60%

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What is a négociant in Burgundy?

In Burgundy, négociants traditionally purchased wine to elevate and/or bottle, or purchased grapes to turn into wine, to sell to retailers.

Today, négociants have started to purchase land which has blurred the lines between négociants and domaines.

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What is a domaine in Burgundy?

A domaine is the collective holdings of a wine producer. Some domaines are beginning to purchase wines from other producers, blurring the distinction between domaines and négociants.

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Where do many of the red and white Burgundy clones originate from?

The Dijon family of clones developed at the University of Burgundy in Dijon.

What is the profile of cool climate white Burgundy?

Apple, pear, lemon, and lime aromas with stone notes, medium body, and high acidity. This is the typical style of Chablis.

What is the profile of moderate climate White Burgundy?

Ripe citrus, melon, stone fruit, with medium to medium (+) body and medium (+) to high acid

What is the profile of red Burgundy?

strawberry, raspberry, red cherry,
light oak notes (village or above),
high acidity
low to medium tannins with medium (+) for some Grand Crus
medium alcohol

What is the quality hierarchy of Burgundy wines?

Regional or Generic Appellations

Village Appellations

Premier Cru*

Grand Cru

*Premier Cru wines are not their own AOC but are rather released under the Village AOC. Nonetheless, these climats are recognized as an improvement in quality.

Excluding Beaujolais, how many appellations are there in Burgundy? How many are Grand Cru, Village, and Regional?

84 appellations, of which there are

33 Grand Crus

44 Village Appellations

7 Regional Appellations

In Burgundy, how are wines that come from more than one 1er Cru in the same village labelled?

Village 1er Cru. There is no vineyard named.

In Burgundy, all Grand Cru vineyards are a distinct AOC except where?

Chablis. Chablis Grand Cru is an AOC that includes 7 climats.

Do 1er Crus belong to their own appellations?

No. They are additional geographic denominations of Village Appellations.

How many Premier Crus are there in Burgundy?

640

Is the quality hierarchy in Burgundy indicative of quality?

Yes and no. Wines higher in the hierarchy are considered better than those lower in the hierarchy, but some top-tier appellations are larger than others which leads to high variability among those wines.

How does the classification system in the Côte d'Or reflect the position of the vines in the region? Where are these classifications most often found?

It largely is indicative of where in a slope the vineyard sits. Hautes Côtes appellations are generally on the higher flat lands above the slope. Generic appellations are usually located in the lands at the bottom of slopes. Village appellations are typically on the lower part of the slopes. Grand Crus are predominantly in the middle of slopes with 1er Crus surrounding them.

Where are the Hautes Côtes appellations located (geographically) and how does this affect quality?

In Burgundy on the high, flat lands above the slopes. The grapes experience cooler temperatures, poorer sunlight interception, richer soils, and a lack of protection from weather. Vine vigor is higher, wines are less concentrated, and grapes can even struggle to ripen in cool years.

Where are Burgundy's village appellations located (geographically)? How does this affect quality?

At the lowest part of a slope, typically above Village level wines. The soils are richer and less well drained than 1er Cru and Grand Cru sites. The fruit does not reach the same level of ripeness as 1er Cru and Grand Cru wines, but still produces very good, characterful wines.

Where are Burgundy's generic appellations located (topographically)? How does this affect quality?

They are usually on the flat land at the bottom of a slope. The grapes here are often used in Crémant production though they can also produce good quality still wines.

Where are Burgundy's Grands Crus and 1er Crus located (topographically)? How does this affect quality?

The Grands Crus are typically found in the middle of a slope with 1er Crus surrounding it. Full ripeness is achieved nearly every year. Soils are shallow and less fertile, there is good sunlight interception, and good drainage. With good winemaking, this leads to wines of exceptional concentration, complexity, and longevity.

Why are some villages in Burgundy hyphenated?

To celebrate the Grand Cru vineyard connected to the village.