Burgundy - Grapes

Question 1

Name the top 4 grapes most planted in Burgundy (excl. Beaujolais) with percentages

Answer 1

Chardonnay - 50%
Pinot Noir -40%
Gamay - ~6%
Aligoté - ~4%

Question 2

Which Burgundy grape is the most planted white varietal in the world?

Answer 2

chardonnay

Question 3

What is the structure of chardonnay?

Answer 3

medium acidity,
medium (+) alcohol,
medium (+) body

Question 4

What are the budding and ripening times of chardonnay?

Answer 4

Early budding and early ripening

Question 5

Name 5 positives of the chardonnay grape

Answer 5

• Versatile- suited to almost any climate within the wine growing regions around the world and does well in a variety of soils
• can produce INTERESTING wines at HIGH YIELDS
• neutral grape which is excellent at taking on the characteristics of terroir and vinfication technique
• customer recognition of the varietals name
• affinity for oak increases the complexity and ageing potential of the wine

Question 6

Name at least 5 negatives of the chardonnay grape

Answer 6

• early budding so prone to spring frost
• prone to coulure (ie the dropping of flower from the cluster and therefore loss of potential grapes)
• rapid ACIDITY LOSS towards end of ripening making harvest timing critical
• prone to millerandange (some think it a positive as it reduces yields)
• prone to rot due thin skin (though if coulure has occurred, looser clusters allows air movement and lowers chance of rot)

Question 7

What are chardonnay’s parent grapes?

Answer 7

Gouais blanc and pinot

Question 8

Which soil does chardonnay prefer?

Answer 8

Grows well in many but limestone, chalk and clay is where it thrives