Burgundy (Mixed) Flashcards
Which Fixin 1er
overlaps into the village of Brochon?
Clos de la Perrière
What was the last vintage under the Clair-Daü label?
no wines were produced after 1983, estate was split up in 1985.
Asian Fruit fly (Drosophila Suzukii) affects grapes how? Which vintages did it have an impact in Burgundy?
It lays eggs under the skin of the grape during vérasion, making it almost impossible to detect. It takes only a day for the eggs to hatch and maggots may feed the inside the fruit as a result. The first indication of their presence may be the vinegary smell of rot. 2004 and 2014.
What producer makes wine from the vineyard “Petit Cazetiers?”
Domaine Dominique Gallois (only producer I can find, but doesn’t seem to be a monopole).
Tell me about Rouchottes Chambertin:
This grand cru sits higher up on the slope, above Mazis. The slope is steep here. The soil is like Chambertin, with white oolites, yet the wine style is like Mazis, but with more mineral and struture. Can be austere in its youth. Shared between eight owners, the biggest was Thomas Bassot, which sold it’s holding in 1976 to Rousseau, Mugneret Gibourg, and MIchel Bonnefond whose parcel is farmed by Roumier.
Describe Morey Saint Denis Soils:
Simlair soils to Gevreys Grand Cru slope: Bajocian limestone layers mixed together with Bathonian at the highter levels. Ostrea Acuminata marl mixes with whiteoolites to form shallow, well-drained soils in the grand cru belt. Iron oxide.
Combe de Morey— Alluvial deposits/ soil
Limestone-based ‘mother rock’
Prémeaux and Calcaire à Entroques
Which three separate Abbey’s planted vineyards at the beginning of the middle ages in Morey Saint Denis?
Cistercians in 1120 CE, Sisters of Notre Dame de Tart in 1184 CE, and the Collegiale with Clos Saint Denis. The Abbey’s maintained ownership until the French Revolution.
Why are most Morey Saint Denis 1er crus blended together instead of bottled as separate vineyards?
On average, the 1ers are very small in size (less than 3 ha). Producers dont make enough single vineyard wine so they blend multiple vineyards selling as Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru.
What is unique about the Lieui-Dit ‘Monts Luisants’ classification?
encompasses all three classifications: village, 1er, and grand cru within its 11.3 ha boundary.
Ponsot’s rare white wine
Highest elevation site within Monts Luissant, it’s a monopole, Morey Saint Denis Clos des Mont
Who owns the the 10% piece of Bonnes Mares located in Morey Saint Denis:
Bruno Clair
Who are the owner’s of Clos des Lambrays?
Domaine Clos des Lambrays owns 97.5%
Taupenot-Merme owns 2.5%
What characterizes wines from the higher elevation vineyards in Morey Saint Denis?
They are structured, powerful, and exhibit Gevrey-style characteristics
What historical event led to Morey Saint Denis gaining its name recognition?
The establishment of the AOC system in the 1930’s
What geological formation characterizes Morey Saint Denis vineyards?
Bajocian limestone with marl mixes
Which notable Pinot Noir clones originated from Morey Saint Denis?
Clones 113, 114, 115, 667, 777
What distinguishes Clos de Tart among the grand crus of Clos Saint Denis?
It’s a monopole vineyard known for rich, robust wines with cherry and spice flavors
What is the largest grand cru in Morey Saint Denis?
Clos de la Roche (41.7 acres)
How is Clos Saint Denis stylistically different from Clos de la Roche?
Clos Saint Denis is more pure, elegant, refined, with more clay in the soil
When did Clos des Lambrays gain grand cru status?
1981
How do the differences in soil composition between Clos de la Roche and Clos Saint Denis influence their respective wine styles?
Clos da la Roche, with brown marls on Bajocian limestone, produces powerful and structured with Clos Saint Denis, with more clay, creates more elegant and refined wines
What is the vineyard area of Morey-Saint-Denis?
369.8 acres / 149.7 hectares
What is the production volume of red and white wine in Morey-Saint-Denis?
5,230 hl red; 258 hl white
How many grands crus and premiers crus does Morey-Saint-Denis have?
5 grands crus; 20 premiers crus
What geological feature contributes to the wine quality in Morey-Saint-Denis?
Excellent geological pedigree
What has historically contributed to the high standard of wine quality in Morey-Saint-Denis?
Fine terroir and a care of high-minded grower/producers
What was the status of Morey-Saint-Denis wines before the AOC system was established?
Practically an unknown name in Bourgogne wine commerce
What was the marketing issue that affected Morey-Saint-Denis wines?
Marketed as Gevrey-Chambertin or Chambolle-Musigny
What geographical feature enhances the terroir of Morey wines?
Combe Grisard and Combe de Morey
What type of limestone primarily composes the geology of Morey-Saint-Denis?
Bajocian limestone layers mixed with Bathonian
What is the elevation difference between Morey-Saint-Denis and Gevrey-Chambertin?
1,050 ft / 320 m versus 919 ft / 280 m
Which religious orders contributed to the vineyard management in Morey-Saint-Denis?
Cistercians, Sisters of Notre Dame de Tart, Collegiale of Saint-Denis de Vergy
What vineyard is associated with the Cistercians in Morey-Saint-Denis?
Clos de la Roche
What is notable about the premier cru Monts Luisants in Morey-Saint-Denis?
Encompasses village, premier cru, and grand cru classifications
What year did Morey-Saint-Denis add the name “Saint Denis” to its name?
1927
What was provided by Laurent Ponsot’s grandfather in 1954?
Mother vines from the Clos de la Roche vineyard
What are the modern internationally used clones derived from Morey-Saint-Denis?
113, 114, 115, 667, 777, 778
Fill in the blank: Morey-Saint-Denis has a total of _______ premier cru vineyards.
20
True or False: Morey-Saint-Denis wines are often blended and sold as Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru.
True
Which of the following is not a red Grand Cru of the Côte d’Or?
Cortons
The red Grands Crus of the Côte d’Or hail from the Côte de Nuits except for Corton.
What is the largest Grand Cru of the Côte de Nuits?
Clos de Vougeot
Clos de Vougeot is recognized as the largest Grand Cru in the Côte de Nuits.
What wine styles can be made in MSD?
Red and white; Chard, Aligote,Pinot Blanc, Pinot Beurot/Gris.
Why is MSD lesser known compared to other villages?
Smaller size, historically largely sold as either chambolle or gevrey. Saint Denis added to Morey in 1927.
What what the village of Morey Saint Denis called before 1927?
Morey-en-Montagne
What are the two main Combes in Morey Saint Denis?
Combe Grisard and Combe de Morey
Who conquered the Burgondes in 534 CE?
Clovis’ son, not Clovis himself
Which Benedictine abbey was established in Chablis in 510CE?
Saint Loup
Which Benedictine abbey was established in Dijon in 587CE?
Saint Bénigne
The Côte de Nuits Combes were formed how?
“The slope of the Côte de Nuits is punctuated by short valleys called “combes” that cut deep
into the hillside (the combes of Vosne-Romanée, Chambolle-Musigny, Gevrey-Chambertin,
etc.); perpendicular to these combes are large tills composed of the boulders and cobbles
from seasonal rivers. These seasonal rivers formed in the springs and summers of the Ice
Ages of the Quaternary period. At this time, the soils of Bourgogne were deeply frozen with
a permafrost of up to 80 ft/24.4 m. As temperatures warmed up, the ice in the upper portion
of the soil melted, but the temperature rise was not enough to thaw the full depth of the
soil. Since there was still a significant depth of ice, the melted water could not drain into the
soil and so, seasonal rivers formed. These rivers flowed towards the plain digging through
the hills and carving out the combes. They carried along clay, sand, gravel, and larger rocks.
At the combe entrance, the rivers spread out and deposited the material they had
accumulated on their journey to form the tills we see today.”
In Chablis, what is the most common vine training method since phylloxera?
Double Guyot
T or F, It is mandatory for label to include the phase ‘’Grand Cru” for all Grand Cru wines.
False, the decision to require the inclusion of “Grand Cru” on the label is made
by the local Organismes de Défense et de Gestion (ODG) and some Grands Crus appellations
have opted to make it optional; e.g., Échezeaux and Clos de Vougeot.
Irancy wine styles?
Only red wine production
What commune is at the Côte de Nuits northern border?
Marsannay
True or False, Clos de Bèze climate is cooler than Chambertin.
False, Clos de Bèze is warmer than Chambertin, not cooler. Clos de Bèze does not get the same influence of the Combe de Lavaux, so it’s warmer and the wines
are slightly more opulent.
What is the waterway that flows through the village of Pommard?
L’Avant Dheune River
What percentage of the Mâconnais is Chardonnay?
80%
Max yield per ha for village level Chablis?
60 hl/ha
Northern vineyards of Morey-Saint-Denis?
Monts Luisants, Clos de la Roche, Aux Charmes, Aux Cheseaux
Southern Vineyards of Morey-Saint-Denis?
En la rue de Vergy, Bonnes Mares/Clos de Tart, Les Ruchots, La Bussière
Please list Morey-Saint-Denis Grand Cru vineyards from largest to smallest:
• Clos de la Roche (16.90 ha)
• Clos des Lambrays (8.84 ha)
• Clos de Tart (7.53 ha)
• Clos Saint Denis (6.92 ha)
• (Bonnes Mares 1.5 ha - Bruno
Clair)
Which is the only commune in the Côte d’Or where Grands Crus continuously stretch across the entire village?
Morey-Saint-Denis
Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Facts:
AOC: 1936
• 16.90 ha
• 3 main parcels; 8 lieux-dits
• “Rock” - mother rock or druid sacrifices?
• Muscley, tightly wound, mineral, red and dark fruits, musk (wild) and feral notes.
Clos Saint Denis Grand Facts
AOC: 1936
• 6.62 ha
• Named after Saint Denis, first bishop of Paris, a gentlemen who had his head cut off in the 3rd century during a persecution of Christians under the Roman Empire. After being beheaded, it is said that Saint Denis picked up his severed head and walked several miles while preaching a sermon.
• Red & dark fruits, floral, silkier tannis
than CDLR, less voluminous and powerful than CDLR.
Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru Facts:
• AOC: 1981 (had been sold in 1938; never applied for GC status)
• “Vin de combe”
• Nicely sloped; more clay at bottom
• “Tête de Cuvée” - Camille Rodier (1920); then underperformer
• Mostly a monopole (+ Taupenot-Merme)
• Moderately deep, perfumed, spicy, lighter than Clos de Tart
• Effected by Combe
Clos de Tart Grand Cru Facts
AOC: 1939
• 7.53 ha (monopole) - only 4 owners since 1141 AD
• includes 0.28 ha Bonnes Mares, apparently its not planted, very close to the wall, maybe about a meter wide.
Only vineyard classed as “Tête de Cuvée by Lavalle in MSD.
• N/S planted in part; east-facing - ‘parcellaire’ approach
• Deep, robust, ripe, dense, muscley, refined, mineral.
• More clay at the top of the vineyard, more limestone towards the bottom of the vineyard. Firmer wines at top of slope, and more elegant wines at the bottom.
Who owns Clos de Tart?
Artemis Group, Francois Pinault
Speaking of orientation, which direction are most vineyards facing in the Côte de Nuits?
Most planted facing east, so row move up the slop. Because of erosion/global warming, some older, steeper vineyards like Clos de Tart and Clos des Lambrays are planted north to south.
** hot vintages with lots of sun, vines planted north to south get less sun exposure than those planted east to west.
What are the Top 1ers of Morey-Saint-Denis
Les Chaffots, Les Ruchots, La Bussière, Les Millandes, Les Faconnières, Les Monts Luisants
Which Morey-Saint-Denis 1er cru is not planted?
Côte Rotie
Les Monts Luisants 1er Facts:
• 5.39 ha
•Only 1 of 3 Lieux-dits with 3 quality level
•340 masl
•Vin de Combe— Combe Grisard, cooling the area.
• only 1er of aligote
•planted to white grapes since the Middle Ages
•Ponsots aligote planted in 1911
• 5 Varietes
• largest 1er cru
MSD: Les Millandes 1er Facts
• 4.20 ha
• 2nd largest 1er in MSD
• Soil: gravelly upper zone; deeper clay at the bottom
• Full-bodied, powerful, robust. Tannins can be rustic. Mineral-driven. A bit more ‘Gevrey’ than ‘Morey’.
Northern Vineyards of Fixin?
En Chenailla, Champs Pedrix, Les Mogottes, Pommier Rougeot, Le Potey,Les Crais De Chêne
Fixin 1ers from north to south
Apples Have Mulchy, Crunchy Pieces Commonly
- Arvelets
- Hervelets
- Meix Bas
- Aux CHEUSOTS (Clos Napoleon)
- Clos de la PERRIÈRE
- CLOS du CHAPTIRE
Which of the six 1er in Fixin are monopoles?
Aux CHEUSOTS (Clos Napoleon) owned by Pierre Gein
Clos de la PERRIÈRE owned by Bénigne Joilet
CLOS du CHAPTIRE owned by Guy Fouleur
Which village in the Côte de Nuits has a connection with Napoleon?
Fixin, with a vineyard, museum, and statue in his honor. Claude Noisot a Fixin aristocrat served as a commander in Napoleon’s guard, even during the time when Napoleon was exiled to Elba. When Noisot returned to his home village after his military service, he honored his former commander by christening, his finest vineyard to Clos Napoleon. This parcel was formally known as Le village and aux cheusots.
Soil in Fixin
Based mostly on hard Bajocian limestone with a mix of limestone scree and slope wash at the surface. There is also a clayey and stony Bathonian limestone patch in the 1er Clos du Chapitre which probably contributes to the wines Burley nature. The soil is stonier and slope is steeper in the 1er section in the southwestern part of the village.
Both, the Cistercian and Cluny monks, cultivated vineyards in Fixin as the early as when?
1142 CE
Which vineyard in Morey-Saint-Denis has the lowest annual production?
Clos de Tart: 218L
What is the vineyard area of Chambolle-Musigny?
442.2 acres/179.1 hectares (33% premier cru)
What is the production volume of Chambolle-Musigny?
6,432 hl red; 270 hl white
What is one of Bourgogne’s most cherished climats included in Chambolle-Musigny?
Les Musigny
How is Chambolle-Musigny often characterized in terms of wine style?
Produces the Côte de Nuits’ most delicate and finesse oriented wines.
What are the only Bourgogne grands crus permitted to produce both red and white wines?
Musigny and Corton
What percentage of Grand Cru Bonnes Mares is in Chambolle-Musigny?
0.9
What is unique about Chambolle-Musigny’s terroir?
It is very different from Morey-Saint-Denis and Vosne-Romanée, a widespread, shallow deposit of fine, gravelly scree spreading all the way to the D974. This light pepply surface layer rests on both Bathonian(higher elevations) and Bajocian (lower elevations) limestone.
What geological feature affects the terroir of Chambolle-Musigny?
The Combe d’Ambin. The lands have been subjected to millennia of torrential flooding.
What type of soil is found in Chambolle-Musigny?
A widespread, shallow deposit of fine, gravelly scree.
How is the wine style of Chambolle-Musigny often described?
Silk and lace
What is an exception to the benchmark style of Chambolle-Musigny?
Grand cru Bonnes Mares, which is bigger and more powerful.
What does the name Chambolle derive from?
“Boiling fields” in French. Alludes to the torrential flooding of the Grone River as it exits the Combe.
When did Chambolle-Musigny become a sister city of Sonoma, California?
1960
Who were the early owners of Chambolle’s vineyards?
The Cistercians
What is the most acclaimed premier cru in Chambolle-Musigny?
Les Amoureuses
What is the largest premier cru in Chambolle-Musigny?
Les Charmes
What are the main characteristics of Chambolle wines?
Models of elegance and finesse with a generous nose of raspberries and violets.
What is the minimum alcohol content for Chambolle-Musigny?
10.5
What is the average annual production of Chambolle-Musigny?
5,953 hl
What is the wine feature of Musigny?
A model of grace and distinction with a complex bouquet.
What is the average annual production of Musigny?
Reds 270 hl; Whites 20 hl
What is the wine feature of Bonnes Mares?
Full-bodied and sappy wine with Morello cherry and blackberry aromas.
What is the average annual production of Bonnes Mares?
509 hl
When was ‘Musigny’ added the the village name of ‘Chambolle Musingy’?
1878
Who gave the the Cistercians the land of Chambolle in 1110 CE, and how long did the Cistercians own it?
Given by the Canon of Saint-Denis de Vergey. Cistercian maintained ownership until the French Revolution. The Canon of Saint-Denis de Vergy was a group of canons who lived in a castle in Vergy, France and built the Clos Saint-Denis vineyard. The canons were dedicated to Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris.
List the 3 climats of Musingy
Les Musigny, Let Petits Musigny, and La Combe d’Orveau.
Largest Landowner of Musigny?
Georges de Vogüé
Musigny Soils?
Upper Portion: Oolitic limestone on top of Ostrea Acuminata marl. Red clay.
Bonnes Mares Soils?
Lower Section: heavier clay and darker in color (terres rouges) Upper Section: Lighter limestone (terres blanches) Both soil types have many stones and pepples and are well drained.
The vineyard name ‘Bonnes Mares’ is derived from what?
’Bonnes Méres’ named after ‘’the good mothers of Notre Dame de Tart”, its earliest owners.
Chambolle Musigny 1ers: (24)N to S, W to E
Les Véroilles Les Fuées Les Cras
——
Les Sentiers Les Baudes Les Lavrottes Les Noirots Derrière la Grange Les Gruenchers Les Groseilles Aux Beaux Bruns Aux Echanges Les Carrières Les Chatelots Les Combottes Aux Combottes Les Charmes Les Plantes Les Feusselottes Les Chabiots Les Hauts Doix Les borniques Les Amoureuses La Comb d’Orveau
What is six AOPs of Mâconnais
Mâcon AOP
Pouilly-Fuissé AOP
Pouilly-Loché AOP
Pouilly-Vinzelles AOP
Saint-Véran AOP
Viré-Clessé AOP
5 village AOC’s of Côte Chalonnaise, North to South
Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey, Givry, Montagny
Côte Chalonnaise white/red production in relation to eachother
50/50 production
Wine styles for Mâconnais village AOCS?
All white
Why is the Côte Chalonnaise referred to as the ‘’lost’’ region of Bourgogne?
Lack of media attention, limited distribution, 1/2 production bottled as Bourgogne Rouge/Blanc AOC
Bouzeron is known as a stronghold of Aligoté, why?
Most vineyards face north giving cooler sites, which suit Aligoté. Vineyards facing south Aligoté is planted on higher cooler sites and PN/Chard get warmer lower sites. Aligoté ripens easily.
Two distinct clones of Aligoté
Aligoté Doree: Higher quality clone, lower yielding, more perfumed, more complexity.
Aligoté Vert: more commercially planted
Why was a new drainage system constructed in Mercurey in the 1980’s?
- In 1956 INAO extended plantings rights
- Bulldozers used to soften the contours
*Lack of care meant poor drainage and storms of 1981 and 1983 triggered the construction of new drainage system.
Givry was once highly regarded. Why did it fall out of favor?
Phylloxera! Replanting was slow and meant Givry lost its favoured position. Young, dynamic new producers are aiming to bring it back.
Today, Montagny AOC is exclusively Chardonnay. When and why did this switch happen?
- PN and and Gamay were extensively planted up until the 1950s.
- Chardonnay’s higher price point drove the switch, which happened over the next 20 years
Viré Clessé is the newest AOC in the Mâconnais, why?
- When the aocs were being set-up, the producers of Viré were concerned about paying higher taxes and declined the offer of its AOC.
- Elevated in 1999
- Before it was the two separate areas: Macon Viré and Macon Clessé.
What are the four communes of Viré Clessé AOC
Viré, Clessé, Montbellet, and Laizé.
What were the criteria applied in determining the 1ers of Pouilly-Fuissé?
- History of cru labeled under vineyard name showing the terrior has a track record of being special.
- Quality assessment, lower yeields, no chemical herbicides
- Soil assessment, perferring Jurassic clay-limestone soils
- Lower yields 56 hl vs 60 hl
- No chemical herbicides
- Max of 400 masl ( wines showing typical profile of Pouilly-Fuissé) riper style
What is Saint-Véran’s marketing advantages?
- Its north and south sections are separated by Pouilly-Fuissé and the proximity highlights the lower prices of Saint-Véran.
Saint-Vérans Northern and Southern communes
Northern: Davayé, Prissé, and Solutré-Pouilly
Southern: Châines, Leynes, Chasselas, and Saint Vérand.
Map of Chânes
Map of Chasselas, Saint Vérand, and Leynes
Map of Davayé
Map of Prissé : part 1
Map of Prissé : part 2
Pouilly-Vinzelles vineyard orientation?
Vineyards face east overlooking Saone plain
Are Co-ops relevant in Pouilly-Vinzelles and Pouilly-Loché?
Incredibly important. 80% of the production of both village AOP’s is made by the vinzelle Co-OP.
Vineyards are steeper in Pouilly-Loché or Pouilly-Vinzelles?
Steeper in Pouilly-Vinzelles
Gamay grown in the Mâconnais may be labeled under what AOC’s?
Any of:
Mâcon AOC, Mâcon + DGC AOC, Bourgogne AOC, Coteaux Bourgognons AOC, Crémant de Bourgogne AOC, Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grain AOC
NOT Mâcon-Villages AOC!
What is Levrouté
- Late harvest style, can have botrytis.
- Traditional in Clessé
*Officially part of Viré-Clessé AOC regulations since 2018.
*Residual sugar: 8-18 g/l
*Demi-sec 4-8 g/l
*Min. 14% - Lower yields
- Aging: until Feb of 2nd year
What vineyards of Savigny-lès-Beaune are bisected by what river?
Rhoin
Which Côte de Beaune AOC has similar soil characteristics with those of the Côte de Nuits?
Pommard
What Mâconnais village was once a part of Beaujolais?
Saint-Vérand
Which of the following statements is incorrect?
a. The Fixin appellation incorporates the village of Brochon
b. Fixin and Brochon are two of ive last la proce
c. Fixin has no Premier Cru monopoles
d. Fixin has no Grands Crus
C.
Example essay question : How did Phylloxera impact Gevrey-Chambertin
Compare and Contrast
Explain how abc impacted xyz
Discuss controversies, exceptions wine law loop holes.
Know key points in each village.
Current trends/Climate Change could be asked.
Short answer q’s: read the question slowly.compare and contrast, better list similarities and difference. Cover everything. Have check list. Hit soil, climate, history, law. Make every sentence count.Back opinions with facts, producer examples. No points for fluff. Looking for an essay, dont list bullet points. Less is often more. Don’t write 1000 words.
What obstacles prevented
Monthèlie, Auxey-Duresses and Saint-Romain from enjoying the same fame as their neighbors, Meursault and Volnay?
Consider 3 separate sections
- Monthèlie
- Factual statement on location
- Obstacle:
- largely planted to Gamay up until the 19th century and impression wines were inferior
- Inherent quality issue?
- Soils well suited to reds
- Helped by switch to PN
- Auxey-Duresses
- Factual statement on location
- Obstacles:
- before AOC, most wines went to market as Volnay, Pommard or Meursault
- Inconsistent quality in reds (majority of production and 92% 1ers Crus are reds)
- Inherent quality issue?
- white wines described as junior Meursaults
Saint-Romain
* Factual statement on location
* Obstacles:
* side valley and village does not have the open exposure to the east or south
* Elevation - 1,148-1345 ft/350-410 m, well above the 820-984 ft/250-300 m sweet spot where most premiers crus and grands crus are found
* Inherent quality issue?
* Elevated from Hautes-Cotes de Beaune regional classification to a village appellation in 1947
* Whites are Chablis-like
Reds are delicate with bright acidity - climate change?
Sample Essay: What factors contribute to the structure and flavor/ aroma profile of Pinot Noir grown in Bourgogne?
Typical: great acidity, restrained fruit. There are differences where they sit on the AOC hierarchy. Bourgogne level ripe and juicy and approachable. Grand cru level more complexity and tannin.
Use your checklist! :Look for 10 points to get a full 10 points!
- Climate, soils, viti. vini..?
- Grapes amass less sugar than in warmer climates bring more moderate alcohol,less phenolic development, less color, less tannin.
- Less phenolic development than in warmer climates
- Limestone-rich marl soils - maintain acidity. Alkaline soils. Adding Freshness and lift.
- Tradition of wild yeast fermentations
- Hands-off winemaking
- Less oak or lots oak?
- Wild yeast fermentation adding more complexity and depth, vs using a commercial yeast.
- Stems or no Stems
- Hands-off winemaking-making.
- Lower extraction.
- Summarize! Bring up any good points. Add something about clones if you have that level of detail. Show your work, by understanding what’s behind the question.
At what commune in the Côte Chalonnaise do the limestone-rich marls of the Côte d’Or transition into
the geologically older sandier limestones of the Mâconnais?
Givry
Which of the following does not accurately pair an AOC with the wines produced under its AOC
banner?
A. Rully: dry white and red wine (Crémant and Mousseux are REGIONAL bottlings!)
b. Bouzeron: white wine only
c. Mercurey: red wine only
d. Montagny: white wine only
C.
Which Côte Chalonnaise village is known for its production of crémant?
Rully
At one time, the Côte Chalonnaise was alternatively called the…
a. Région de Mercurey
b. Région de Montagny
c. Région de Rully
d. Région de Givry
A.
Which Côte Chalonnaise village was extensively planted to Pinot Noir and Gamay until the 1950s?
Montagny
Which Mâconnais village produces Levrouté?
Viré-Clessé
Which Mâconnais village received 22 Premiers Crus in 2020?
Pouilly-Fuissé
What lies at the base of the Rock of Solutré
Horse Bones
Grape of Red Mâcon plus DCG are…
100% gamay
How many ha planted in Côte Chalonnaise
774 ha planted
Cote Chalonnaise annual production?
77,648 hl (village level)
Which AOC in Côte Chalonnaise was divided by Demarcation zone during WWII
Montagny (line between occupied France and free France)
Ha Planted of Côte Chalonnaise AOCS
Bouzeron 56ha
Rully 368ha
Mercurey 647ha
Givry 283ha
Montagny 326ha
Côte Chalonnaise Wine Style Percentages (red vs white) Per AOC
Bouzeron 100% white
Rully 34% red 66% white
Mercurey 85% red 15% white
Givry 84% red 16% white
Montagny 100% white
How many 1ers in Bouzeron?
none
Which AOC’s in Côte Chalonnaise produce only white wine?
Bouzeron and Montagny ( Bouzeron is furthest north and Montagny is furthest south, the bookends are solely white wine)
What two communes make up the Bouzeron AOC
Bouzeron and Chassey-le-Camp (tiny slice)
Vineyard Exposures of Bouzeron
E/SE/W/NW
Bouzeron is what % of white wine of Côte Chalonnaise
8% of white wine of Côte Chalonnaise, 4% of Côte Challonaise total production.
Soil types in Bouzeron
white marl or light brown marl-clay on Oxfordian mother rock (limestone)
Rully AOC created when?
1939
Bouzeron AOC created when?
1998 (replaced Bourgogne Aligote Bouzeron)
Rully AOC Facts
AOC: 1939
368 ha; 26% 1er
2 communes
15,962 hl (21% of Côte Chalonnaise)
Two zones of 1er: North side/ east- Richer, denser
South side- Mineral, taut, pure (cooler) Better for whites
Reds- fruity, perfumed; less tannic than Givry/mercurey but can still be rustic.
- Known for cremant de Bourgogne
Which AOC in Côte Challonaise is known to create Crémant de Bourgogne?
Rully AOC
Top 1ers in Rully?
Cloux 1er: Northen
* 10.68 ha Red
*red and white wines
*Expo: E/SE
*Clay-limestone with gravel
*rounder wines with good flesh and refinement
(Domaine de Villaine make it)
Grésigny 1er: Southern
*6.43 ha
* White wines - high active limestone
*Expo: SE
* Cooler site
* Racy wines with good mineral backbone
(D. Janthial makes it)
Climatic differences between northern and southern Rully
North is warmer creating richer, rounder wines, south is cooler making fresher, crisper wines
Mercurey AOC Facts
- AOC:1936
- exceptional reputation for many years; from the dukes of burgundy.
*Robust wines like pommard
*647 ha- various expos
*Produces about 35% of the cote Chalonnaise wines
*Two different communes ( Mercurey and Saint-Martin) - names after the Roman GOD “MERCUREY”, there once was a Roman temple there, God of Trade and Commerce.
- First 1ers in 1943, then 1988.
- Reds are generally the richest and most age worthy of cote Challonaise, whites tend to be less fruity then Rully or Montagny. Whites planted higher up on the slope with thinner top soil.
Top 1ers of Mercurey
Clos du Roi 1er: Southern
* 10.08 ha
* Wraps around a hillside - E to SW (Complex like Corton)
* 1 of 5 original 1ers
* Red and white wines
*Chalky, marl, alluvial soils
*Refined, red-fruited, moderately earlier but with depth
Les Naugues 1er: North Central
* 4.11 ha
*SW facing
* Warm site
*Darker limestone-clay soil and gravel
*Rich, well-fruited; the Chambolle Musigny of Mercurey
Givry AOC Facts
AOC: 1946
* 283 ha - 48% 1er
* 3 Communes ( Dracy-Le-Flort, Givry, Jambles)
* 18% of Côte Challonais production
* One of the most sought after wines pre-phylloxera, the preferred wine of Henri IV
* Mostly Red (85%)
*Often viewed as more refined than Mercurey- terrior or vines?
(Francois Lump makes wine here and says they have better vine material than Mercurey)
Givry Top 1ers:
Clos Jus 1er:
* 6.56ha
* Shallow, deeply colored, red-iron soil with rocks
*Expo: E but warmer site
* Dark colored, powerful, fleshy but firm, spicy, ages well
Crausot 1er:
*5.22 ha
*Red (deeper, lower) and white wines (upper, thinner, rockier soil) - lots of active limestone.
* Cooler site
*Fresh, mineral, uplifting
*Francois Lump makes wine here
Montagny AOC Facts
AOC: 1936
* 4 communes (Buxy, Montagny-Lès-Buxy, Jully-Les-Buxy, Saint-Vallerin)
* gateway to the Mâconnais, the furthest south in Côte Challonais.
* Divided by demarcation zone in WWII through the commune of Buxy.
* 326 ha - 62% 1er, 23% of Côte Chalonnaise production
*Limestone dominates soil, highly slopped. South has more clay.
*Fresh zesty, Chablis-like wines. Peach and apricot
* lots of Chardonnay Muscaté (Chardonnay clone: peachy flavors)
Montagny 1er:
Les Burnins 1er:
*11.59 ha
* Expo: S/SW, steep
* Limestone, clay, gravelly soil
*Taut, chiselled, mineral-driven, powerful
* Made by Stéphane Aladame
Les Coères 1er:
* 28.20 ha- largest (3 communes)
* more clay than limestone
*expo: mostly east
* Full, ample, rounded wines with less minerality - can be powerfully or lighter depending on site.
Mâconnais Facts
- named after the town of Macon
- 50 Km long
- 80% Chardonnay
- Rolling valleys in north, rocky, in south
- Village AOCS: 5 — all white wines
- Regional AOCs
- Average annual prouduction 7% red of Regional Macon
- Cooperatives
- In free zone during WWII
- Abbaye of Cluny— most famous abbey, where cistercians launched their own wing. A Benedictine monk community.
Recap: Mâconnais regional AOCs
Mãcon AOC:
* 78 ha (white), 208 ha (red)|
* Red, white, rosé
* Mãcon-Villages AOC:
* 83 communes, 2043 ha
* White wines only (Chardonnay)
* Mâcon + geographical designation: 27 - white &
red/rosé
* 1647.50 ha
* Declassification: Mâcon-Villages, Mâcon, Bourgogne, Coteaux Bourguignons
* Warmer than northern sub-regions
* White: supple, round
* Red (Gamay): fresh, fruity
Macon AOC hierarchy, list from lowest to highest in quality:
Mâcon-Villages, Mâcon, Bourgogne, Coteaux Bourguignons
Coteaux Bourguigons, Bourgogne, Macon, Macon-Villages
Macconias Village AOC(s) 5:
Viré-Clessé
Saint-Véran
Pouilly-Vinzelles
Pouilly Loché
Pouilly-Fuissé (+ 22 1ers)
**whites only
Viré Clessé AOC Facts
- AOC 1999, replaced Macon-Clessé and Macon-Viré
*4 communes - 437 ha
- 24,588 hl (23% of village-Mâconnais)
- Viré-Clessé or VC + climat
- No 1er crus…yet
- 200-440 masi |
*Expo: mostly SE
*Soils: Upper Jurassic strata on Bajocian base - Viré = more mineral, taut
- Clessé = richer, rounder
Clessé Map
Why did Viré turn down the offer for its own AOCin 1937
the fear of having to pay higher taxes
4 communes of Viré Clessé
Montbellet
Viré
Clessé
Laizé
Name the sweet wine produced in Viré Clessé
Levrouté:
*Late harvest style, can have botrytis
*Tradintional in Clessé, promoted by Jean Thenevet (Domaine de la Bongran)
*(RS 8-18 g/l , Demi-sec: 4-8 g/lt)
* min 14% abv
* Lower yields- 48 hl vs 62-64 hl/ha)
*(Long aging (until Feb of 2nd year)
Saint-Véran AOC facts
*AOC since 1971
* 743 ha
*37% of Village-Mâconnais
* 8 communes: Prissé, Davayé, Solutré, Pouilly, Chasselas, Leynes, Saint-Vérand, Chânes
* 2 zones: by Pouilly-Fuissé, and north of beaujolais.
Saint- Véran AOC
- Davayé- excellent terrior
- various styles
- ‘pommards’ lieu-dit
Limestone soil, above old quarry, expo: NE, ripens well, Upper slope is Pouilly-Fuissé
Saint-Véran vs Pouilly-Fuissé Map
Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC
- AOC:1940
- 1 commune
- 61 ha
- 2,818 hl (2.6% of village Mâconnais; 6.5% of ‘Pouilly)
- Can have climat on label
*Cooler micro-climate
*Steep slopes (210-280 masl)
Pouilly-Vinzelles wines, how do they drink?
- Generally the most mineral, taught of all the Pouilly’s wines. Some can even be aggressive.
- Exceptions - e.g. Lews Longeays is much rounder, lower acidity (clay rich)
Pouilly-Loché AOC facts
*AOC: 1940
* 1 commune
* 1.5 % of village-Mâconnais
* Expo: South
* Warm microclimate
* Less steep slopes
* Soil: gravelly northern side; more clay southern side.
* Usally the richest of the ‘Pouilly’ wines
* Lower acidity, can be heavy
Pouilly-Fuissé AOC facts
- AOC: 1936
*759 ha - Very large - 36 % of Village-Mâconnais; 90% of ‘Pouillys’
- 4 communes
- Good richness, sometimes opulent, generally ‘frandest’ wine of the Mâconnais in terms of weight and complexity.
- Can age but tends to evolve faster than wines from farther north
Pouilly-Fuissé 1ers
- 4 communes
- 22 ‘’Crus’’ since 2020 Vintage
- 193 ha
- lower yields 56 hl vs 60 hl
- No chemical herbicides
- Qualifications for 1er: History of cru labeled under vineyard name, Quality assessment, Jurassic clay limestone soils
- Max of 400 masl
- Pros and Cons?
Vougeot AOC created when?
1937
What is Vougeot AOC named after
Vouge River
What is the total production of Vougeot AOC
3% of cote de Nuits, grand cru makes up most of it. 2,332 hl
Wine styles for Vougeot AOC for Grand cru, 1er, and village
Grand Cru red only
1er and village red or white
Clos Vougeot size
50.97 ha
Ha of 1er and Village level Vougeot
3.22 ha of Village
12 ha of 1er
How many 1er in Vougeot, what are they?
Four 1ers
* Clos de Perrieres
* La Cras
*Petit Vougeot
* La Vigne Blanche
Who created the Clos de Vougeot
The monks of the Abbaye de Cîteaux (Cistercians) in 1098.
Benedictine monks from Cluny came in but quickly decided to do there own thing and settled in Citeaux, about 10 minutes drive east of Vougeot, where I believe they are known for making cheese.
Cistercian monks valued hard work/manual labor as much as prayer.
Benedictine monks valued prayer most.
The Clos of Clos de Vougeot was built when?
sometime between 12th-15th century
After the French Revolution who bought Clos de Vougeot
in 1791 it sold at auction, it passed through various hands, in 1818 Julien Jules Ouvard purchased it. Son of Napoleons banker.
He kept it for a while.
What event in the 19th century devastates the vineyards of Burgundy?
Phylloxera, arrives in 1884
Who owns Clos de Vougeot after Julien Jules Ouvard
In 1889, Julien sales Clos to 5-6 negociants, then to another 11
Who was the largest owner of Clos de Vougeot when it was sold in 1889?
Léonce Bouquet. Owned most (15 ha including the chateau). He didn’t replant on phylloxera resistant rootstock so vineyard dwindled.
When and to who did Léonce Bouquet sale his large piece (15ha) of Clos de Vougeot?
His heirs sold to 22 different buyer in 1920, organized by etienne camuzet of Meo Camuzet
Who creates the l’Ordre de la Confreire des Chevaliers du Tastevin at Clos de Vougeot and when?
Georges Faively and Camille Rodier (famous wine critic) in 1934
How many Lieux dits in Clos de Vougeot?
16 Lieux dits
What’s the highest point in Clos de Vougeot
Plante Labbé (266 m)
Soils of Clos de Vougeot
Top: stony with sand and clay; less deep (erosion) good drainage - can have hydric stress.
Bottom: More clay, deeper soils, marlstone; retains water.
Clos de Vougeot in the glass?
Robust, powerful, austere, compact, can have rustic tannins, but can become velvety and perfumed with age
Why is ‘Le Clos Saint Jacques’ a top 1er cru? (Essay style question)
Why is ‘Les Amoureses’ considered a top 1er cru? (Essay style question)
The vines of Les Amoureuses lie immediately below those of Musigny. The vineyard lies mostly on a plateau just above the village of Vougeot. The name means “female lovers,” suggesting something of passion and delicacy. Any deeper significance in Chambolle history is unknown.
Resting between 853-919 ft/260-280 m elevation, the vineyard’s slope is distinctive in being convex rather than concave (which is the norm on the côte). This, together with a largely southern exposure, results in day-long sunlight. It receives even more sunlight than neighboring Musigny!
Despite exposure to wind, this orientation results in early budding and ripening. The lower, easterly section, close to the Vouge stream, is cooler and more humid than on the plateau.
In general, Amoureuses shares the same soil types as Musigny. The top section is a continuation of Musigny. The topography is characterized by several, step-like faults which bring the terrain down towards Vougeot. There is a predominance of active limestone in the soil that may account for the wine’s abundant finesse and silkiness. The upper portion of Amoureuses has a very rocky, shallow topsoil—only 8-23 in/20-60 cm—on a bedrock of Comblanchien limestone with a lot of pebbles at all levels. At deeper depths, the soil is more yellow and brown in color with a stony surface and generous clay content.
How many ha is ‘Les Amoureuses’ and how many owners?
Who is the largest owner?
5.4 ha
17 owners
Vogué 0.56 ha
Mugnier 0.53 ha
Groffier 1 ha (LARGEST)
Drouhin 0.6 ha
Amiot-Servelle 0.45 ha
Roumier 0.4 ha
‘Les Amoureuses’ in the glass?
Very close to Musigny in tase and charm, ages slowly and beautifully.
Christophe Roumier believes Amoureuses is “a wine with silky tannins, delicate texture…a wine of natural gracefulness and ethereal character.”
Les Amoureuses does show a slight tendency toward inconsistency. When it delivers at the highest level, it is spectacular, but it does not invariably deliver. The character of the vintage marks Amoureuses more so than either Musigny or Bonnes Mares.
Explain why ‘Aux Malconsorts’ is considered a top 1er cru (essay style question)
Situated at the southern end of the Vosne-Romanée commune and abutting La Tâche to the north, Aux Malconsorts is somewhat underrated.
This is explained by past significant ownership of underperforming domaines and the nature of the wine itself. Aux Malconsorts wines are among Vosné-Romanée’s least expressive in their youth.
However wich about 1 pears of In addition
today there is a cadre of quality-minded producers who have made Aux Malconsorts one of Vosne-Romanée’s most distinguished premier cru wines.
It is only challenged by Cros Parantoux as the finest of Vosne’s 14 premiers crus.
The name “Malconsorts”
refers to a patch
of ground covered with thorn bushes. This can explain why Aux Malconsorts was one of Vosne-Romanée’s last premier cru sites to be cleared and planted. It was planted in 1610—late by village standards.
The vineyard is about the same size as La Tâche, its grand cru neighbor to the north. Like La Tâche, it is bisected by a vigneron’ road which marks the division point between two types of soil. Above the road, the soil is lighter and has more sand. Below the road, the soil is darker and reddish in color and more compact. Soil depth varies from 4-39 in/10-100 cm with scattered limestone rocks and sandstone pebbles mixed in the soil’s surface layers. Generally speaking, the lower portion of the vineyard has more compact soil with less sand.
How many ha is ‘Aux Malconsorts’, how many owners and who is largest owner?
5.86ha
6 owners
• A. Bichot 1.78 hectares (LARGEST)
• Hubert de Montille 1.37 hectares
• Domaine Dujac 1.33 hectares
• Sylvain Cathiard 0.74 hectares
• Lamarche 0.50 hectares
• Hudelot-Noëllat 0.14 hectares
Describe ‘Aux Malconsorts’ in the glass
Needs time!Aux Malconsorts-often seen as Les Malconsorts-creates the biggest and most powerful wine of all the Vosne premiers crus and is often the most long-lived. Its tannins are typically dense and firm, but not harsh. The wine normally requires 15 or more years to fully evolve. What it may lack in finesse, it makes up in volume and power.
Explain why ‘Les Saint Georges’ is considered a top tier 1er cru. (Essay question)
With 41 premiers crus, the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges has an abundance of excellent vineyard land. The supremacy of Les Saint-Georges as the finest of Nuits® premiers crus is not in doubt. Les
Saint-Georges has it all. It lies mid-slope on a 6-8% incline, is reasonably sheltered by a hilltop forest, and is ideally placed to ripen fruit. Its deep brown clay soil provides weight to the wine, while the proliferation of small stones confers minerality.
The stones also assist in drainage.
Les Saint-Georges is one of Nuits’ oldest vineyards, having already been planted in 1000 CE. It was given to the monastic chapter of Saint-Denis at Vergy in 1023 CE. Today, it is in the hands of ten owners.
The most prominent:
Thibaut Liger-Belair 2.1 hectares
Henri Gouges 1.08 hectares
Robert Chevillon 0.63 hectares
The vineyard’s soil combines oolite, Comblanchien and Premeaux limestones with deep, brown limestone-based ferruginous soils which includes a significant fine clay component. The topsoil is stony with a mix of limestone pebbles. The southwest corner is particularly stone-rich; while the northeast is characterized by an alluvial fan.
Les Saint-Georges main premier cru rivals are Les Cailles, located immediately to the north, and Les Vaucrains, higher on the slope and situated immediately to the west and northwest.
Describe ‘Les Saint Georges’ in the glass.
Saint-Georges combines the qualities of its neighbors, incorporating the finesse of Cailles and the powerful structure of Vaucrains.
It is the fullest and richest of the Nuits-Saint-Georges premiers crus. Its notable tannins tend to be well-covered in flesh. A great Les Saint-Georges from Henri Gouges or Robert Chevillon is unquestionably of grand cru caliber.
Explain why ‘Rugiens’ in Pommard is considered a top tier 1er cru. (Essay question)
Pommard-Rugiens is the most sought after of Pommard’s vineyards. However, there is a marked difference in potential quality between its two halves. The upper part, Les Rugiens Hauts makes decent, but unremarkable Pommard wine.
The lower part, Rugiens du Bas, is arguably Pommard’s greatest vineyard with only Clos des Épeneaux in contention. Rugiens du Bas is the lower, southeasterly sector of Rugiens and it most consistently produces Pommard’s top level wines.
Rugiens du Bas is situated below the 984 ft/300 m contour line. The slope is steep, rock-strewn and prone to erosion with an Upper Jurassic soil type dolomitic limestone—only encountered in Pommard. There is also a high proportion of active magnesium-laced limestone in the soil whereas most limestones are calcium-based.
List prominent owners of Rugiens du Bas
• de Courcel 1.07 hectares
• de Montille 1.02 hectares
• Michel Ganoux 0.69 hectares
• Louis Jadot 0.36 hectares
Describe ‘Rugiens du Bas’ in the glass
The wines have a reputation for being powerful, structured, and age worthy.
They tend to be wines of considerable depth while retaining more finesse than those from Rugiens Hauts. Rugiens du Bas wines usually show more class, intensity and completeness than those of the acclaimed Epenots premier cru.
Explain why Volnay ‘Les Caillerets’ is considered a top tier 1er cru. (Essay format)
The vineyards and wines of Volnay have a long history of royal ownership and patronage. This is especially true of Les Caillerets which was owned by the Duke of Burgundy, himself, during the Middle Ages. There is a local saying “if you don’t have vines in Cailleret, then you don’t know what Volnay is.” What makes this site special is both its situation-mid-slope and protected from the colder air from above—-and its very thin topsoil which imparts remarkable finesse to the wine. The subsoil is mainly Ladoix limestone.
The vineyard sub-divides into three parts over an elevational change of 131 ft/40 m (820-951 ft/250-290 m).
From top to bottom the subdivisions are as follows:
• Clos des 60 Ouvrées (monopole of Dom. Pousse d’Or) 5.9 acres/ 2.39 hectares
• Cailleret Dessus 22.43 acres/9.08 hectares
• En Cailleret 7.1 acres/ 2.87 hectares
The name “Cailleret” derives from “cailloux” meaning stony. The “ret” suffix is a diminutive, therefore, “caillerets” translates as “little stones.” This is a reference to the small pebbles which embellish the vineyard’s soil by improving drainage and reflecting heat. The vineyard is beautifully exposed to the south and east along Volnay’s southern boundary. It is on a moderate slope with a mix of marl and limestone soil.
How many owners/ha of Volnay ‘Les Caillerets’
14.33 ha
12 owners
Principal owners of Volnay ‘Les Caillerets’
• Bouchard Pere et Fils 4 hectares
• Pousse d’Or 2.39 hectares
• Henri Boillot 0.72 hectares
• d’Angerville 0.46 hectares
• Chandon de Brialles 0.40 hectares
• Lafarge 0.28 hectares
Describe Volnay ‘Les Caillerets’ in the glass
Caillerets rises above the other stellar Volnay premiers crus with its intricate fusion of structure and elegance which epitomizes the finesse and class associated with Volnay’s finest wines. Caillerets is quintessentially finesse and delicacy-all red fruits, silk, and lace. In the right hands, and with a few years in bottle, it represents Volnay at its best.
Explain why Meursault ‘Les Perrières’ is considered a top tier 1er cru. (Essay format)
Les Perrières vies with Genevrières and the upper part of Les Charmes as Meursault’s best vineyard site. Perrières primacy is due to its position on the slope more so than its soil. Its position gives it the edge on ripening its grapes. Not only is it earlier ripening, it is more advanced in ripeness than either Genevrières or Charmes, yet also comes with excellent acid retention, essential for development in the bottle.
The vineyard is divided into three parts, Perrières-Dessus, Perrières-Dessous, and Clos des Perrières. The latter two sections are considered the best parcels. Clos des Perrières (2.35 ac/0.95 ha) is a monopole belonging to the Bardet family and is produced under the Domaine Albert Grivault label. As a walled parcel containing more clay and white marl than the rest of Les Perrières, the Bardet’s believe it stands apart.
The word “perrières” is descriptive of the presence of stones in the vineyard’s soil and is a reference to a former quarry that was located at the site.
Les Perrières has a perfect east-southeast exposure which contributes to the ripeness of its fruit and the excellence of its wines. The vineyard soil is typically redder than that of Genevrières with a higher proportion of gravelly scree. It is is located on Meursault’s southern border with Puligny-Montrachet and rests upon a moderate slope in the direction of Les Charmes. Perrières soil is typically redder than that of Genevrieres with a high proportion of gravelly scree. It is well-drained and has a high percentage of active limestone (the highest in Meursault), which contributes to the power and intensity of the wine. Its subsoil is comprised of Chassagne limestone which is the Côte de Beaune equivalent of the Côte de Nuits’ white oolite and Comblanchien.
How many ha/owners of Meursault ‘Les Perrières’
13.72ha
25 owners
Principal owners of Meursault ‘Les Perrières’
• Albert Grivault 2.49 hectares
• Bouchard Pere et Fils 1.2 hectares
• Comtes Lafon 0.77 hectares
• Yves Boyer-Martenot 0.69 hectares
• Matrot 0.53 hectares
Describe Meursault ‘Les Perrières’ in the glass
combines the minerality of Genevrières and the rounded appeal of Les Charmes with greater power and intensity. It is tighter in mouthfeel and structure while exuding elegance, raciness, and complexity. Its steely, stony and peachy character epitomizes Meursualt at its best. Les Perrières has a particular reputation for graceful aging out to 20 years or more.
Explain why Puligny-Montrachet ‘Le Cailleret’ is considered a top tier 1er cru. (Essay format)
Le Cailleret forms the northern extension of Le Montrachet and lies immediately downslope from the northern end of Chevalier Montrachet. The vineyard includes Clos du Cailleret and Les Demoiselles ( not to be confused with Chevalier Montrachet Les Demoiselles).
The word Cailleret has the same origins as in the Volnay Caillerets referring to the abundance of small stones populating the vineyard soil.
Les Cailleret continues the gently sloping topography of Le Montrachet but with a more easterly orientation, rather than Montrachet’s south-east exposure. The underlying rock type is similar to its illustrious neighbor, the top soil is stonier.
How many ha/ owners of Puligny-Montrachet ‘Les Cailleret’
3.93 ha
8 + owners
Principal owners of Puligny Montrachet ‘Les Cailleret’
• Jean Chartron 1.04 hectares (Clos du Cailleret-including 0.18 ha of Pinot Noir
• de Montille 0.85 hectares
• Pousse d’Or 0.73 hectares
• Domaine Lambrays 0.37 hectares
Guy Amiot-Bonfils 8 Michel Colin-Deleger
0.63 hectares (Les Demoiselles)
Explain why Puligny Montrachet ‘Les Pucelles’ is considered a top tier 1er cru. (Essay format)
Along with Le Cailleret, Puligny’s Les Pucelles stands apart and above the village’s other premiers crus. The elevated status of Pucelles is largely attributed to the consistently fine quality produced by Domaine Leflaive which owns nearly one half of the vineyard.
The vineyard is located just below Le Cailleret and immediately north of Bâtard and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. Pucelles’ soil looks similar to
Bâtard, Le Montrachet, and Bienvenues, but it is deeper and stonier.
The lower section of the vineyard-Clos des Meix—is the most productive as it is fed by an underground reservoir which collects rainwater.
However, it does not have the best quality potential. That accolade goes to the section nearest to Bâtard and Bienvenues.
“Les pucelles” means “the maidens” or “the virgins.” Its origin may derive from a fanciful tale from the Middle Ages that is often told as part of Puligny’s legacy. In the story, the Seigneur of Puligny is depicted as a chevalier (knight), who seduces les pucelles (the female twins) out of wedlock. In turn, they give birth to the bâtards (bastards) who are welcomed (bienvenue) by the populace.
Principal owners of Puligny Montrachet ‘Les Pucelles’
• Domaine Leflaive 3.06 hectares
• Jean Chartron 2.87 acres/1.16 hectares (Clos de la Pucelle)
• Paul Pernot 0.99 acres/0.40 hectares
• Vincent Girardin 0.67 acres/0.27 hectares
• Philippe Chavy 0.49 acres/0.20 hectares
Describe Puligny Montrachet ‘Les Pucelles’ in the glass
According to author, Remington Norman, in tastings, Les Pucelles can sometimes be mistaken for grand cru Bâtard. The commonalities are many…aromas of white flowers, honey, a rich nuttiness, and a broad, fleshy palate sustained by classic Puligny minerality. Bâtard is a shade more intense than Pucelles, which is more reticent than the more obviously rich and plump Bâtard.
Define the Geological term “Horst”
Horsts referring to areas that have been broken by faults, that have been uplifted.
Example, the formation of the Alps around 60 million years ago.
Morey Grand Cru Soils
Bajocian Limestone, below layers of Ostrea Acuminata marl and white Oolite providing perfect drainage
Largest most well-known MSD Grand Cru
Clos de la Roche
Well sheltered and deeps soils— up to 80 cm’s in some places.
More than tripled in size since the late 19th century, growing to include neighboring climate
Smallest MSD Grand Cru
Clos Saint Denis
Which combe affects Clos Saint Denis?
Combe de Morey
Soils of Clos Saint Denis
Similar to Clos de la Roche, deeper soils up to 80 cm in some places, more gravel and scree washed down from the Combe.
Clos de Lambrays Soils
More sand and pure limestone rather than marls compared to its norhtern neighbors.
It sits at up to 320m.
How many times has Clos de Tart changed hands between owners?
Only for the 4th time since 2017
Similarities between Clos de Tart and Bonnes Mares
Clos de Tart continues into Bonnes mares. Both wines could be Robust, and the most full bodied wines created in Morey.
What villages does the Grand Cru ‘Corton’ incompass?
Aloxe Corton, Pernand Vergelesses, Ladoix-Serrigny
Highest elevation of Corton
388m, 270 degrees of exposure
Describe the differences between the 3 Grand Crus of Corton
Corton (dominantly red)
Corton Charlemagne (white only) farmed by up to 70 different producers, blending across a distinct climat. Thinner limestone soils of Jurassic origin.
Charlemagne (obscure and white only)
28 climat total, Chard dominates planting at top of the slope, as well towards the village of Pernand where vinyards face west.
Pinot noir doesn’t like the broad temperature swings brought by cool shady mornings and intense afternoon sun.
En Charlemagne Climat
nine unique soil types, white only grand cru so reds labeled as “Corton”
Jules Lavalle in his 1855 classificatin sited which Corton sites as Tete de Cuve?
Les Chaumes, Clos du Roi, Corton Renardes, Le Corton
They all enjoy a near perfect east/southeast exposure and generally more mid slope position
Chardonnay when planted outside the boundaries of the Corton Charlemagne area is located as what?
Corton Blanc
What is beneficial to Meursault having a deeper water table compared to other villages
Most houses are built with deep cellars because they aren’t too close to the water table. Major upside to being able to age more wine in barrel for a longer period of time.
Meursault in the glass
Less hazelnut and buttery character as the wines have been historically, but the shape of the wine is still round. Now there are more vineyards further up the hill, more of a nervous style of meursault than use to be the case.
Does Meursault deserve any GC?
Maybe Perrieres but they are not actively looking to add GC’s to this village.
The other two great 1ers are Charmes and Genevrieres
Meursault historically has had single vineyard bottlings at the village level? Who did this?
Merchants would bottle their own wines according to single plot, which is still rare among the other white villlages like Puligny and chassagne at the village level.
Meursault, Pulingy, and Chassagne in the glass differences
Meursault: Rounder textures
Puligny: intense rigid mineral backbone, sprouted by floral aromatics.
Chassagne: Kind of like MSD, where you bounce it of of its neighbors. More rectangular in shape. Too many of the vineyards should be red wine for soil reasons.
Le Montrachet hits the sweet spot of the clay limestone mix. Faultline between Montrachet and Chevalier. Chevalier above has more limestone. Another fault line below, at the road, between Montrachet and Batard. Batard has much more clay. Montrachet has red soil (iron).
Why would you go to Chassagne Rouge over Volnay or Pommard
At the moment, you wouldn’t.
Volnay has brilliant Pinot noir material. Not clones, these vines are pre-clonal.
Two family’s:
The angervilles and the Boillots maintained this really high quality Pinot.
Most of the Pinot Material in the villages of Chassagne, Santenay, and Mercurey on the whole, is not good. People have learned to tame it. They have moved away from Guyout training, and onto Cordon which reduces the vigor. You can make decent red wine.
Some people are making fine wine. Clonal material needs to match, can’t be too fine, or too low quality. Needs to be just right.
Santenay top vineyards
Clos de Tavannes and Gravieres
Maranges in the glass
A little more muscular and tannic, a couple good producers. Nice 1ers. Lots of value. Slope starts to moved into the next department.
Haut Côte potential
14th century very well regarded, better than volnay. They are somewhat coining into their own. The haut cote de Beaune planted to typical low trained vines.
Haut cote de Nuits, high trained vines which make nice attractive wines which are easier to maintain.
The vineyard up there are cooler but are not able to retain water as well because soils are not clay heavy like further down the slope.
Middle Jurassic epoch is approximately how many years ago? Upper Jurassic?
Middle: 160-170 mil years ago
Upper: 150-160 mil years ago
White Oolite and Comblanchien Limestone are what soil age?
Middle Bathonian, from Middle Jurassic Epoch (160-170 million years old)
‘Compact limestone’ layer is how old?
Portlandian, Upper Jurassic (150-170 million years old)
Explain the significance of ‘Kimmeridigian’ (essay format)
‘’Kimmeridgian specifically refers to a geologic age between 157-152 million years ago. The type of Kimmeridgian rocks relevant to wine are French and found (most notably) in Chablis, Champagne, Sancerre, and Burgundy. Other Kimmeridgian (age) soils exist (in England and other parts of the world), deposited at the same time, but are not the characteristic rocks we associate with French wine regions.
Kimmeridgian “limestone” rocks are identified as dark chalky marl with layers of marly limestone and many lenses rich in seashells. The most common seashell fossils are small comma-shaped oysters, Exogyra virgula. Virgule is the French word for comma. The term “marl” refers to a lime-rich mud or mudstone, most commonly composed of calcium carbonate minerals (calcite). Limestone is a (calcium carbonate) rock composed of skeletal fragments of corals, forams, and mollusks.”
Rocky Limestone Layers from oldest to youngest
Bajocian
Upper Bajocian
Lower Bathonian
Middle Bathonian
Upper Bathonian and Callovian
Callovian Oxfordian
Oxfordian
Kimmeridgean
Portlandian
The Côte was formed how long ago?
30 million years ago, after the valley from from Alsace to Beaujolais collapsed.
Coarse Limestone Scree
erosion caused by rain, frost, and wind has given the landscape stony matters spread on vineyard slopes. Scree, clayey products of mudflow formed from the intense frosts of the last glacial period (20,000 years ago). On these surface formations, the structure of the soils got more complex. This can explain in part the diversity of the terrior.
Define Cuesta
An asymmetrical ridge, one side is softer and the other side sharper, earthy layers decomposing/eroding at different speeds
Vèzelay soil age
Bathonian marl and limestone
Châtillonais soil age
Oxfordian limestone and marl (approx. 150-160 million years old from upper Jurassic, same period as Kimmeridgian and Portlandian but older than both)
Oxforidan- 157- 163 mil
Kimmeridgian- 152 -157 mil
Portlandian- 145-152 mil
Auxerrois and Tonnerrois (Irancy, Saint Bris) soil age
Oxfordian limestone
Chablis and Petit Chablis Soils
Kimmeridgian and Portlandian Soils
TIP: Chablis typically tastes younger, sharper than other Chardonnay. The soils above are the youngest. Young wine, young soil.
Explain the differences of the soils between the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune (essay format)
The Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, share a geological foundation of limestone and marl but exhibit distinct differences in soil composition. These variations contribute to the different wine styles found in each subregion.
Côte de Nuits
The Côte de Nuits is primarily composed of Middle Jurassic limestone, including crinoidal limestone rich in fossil fragments (Bajocian) and Ostrea acuminata marls with small oyster fossils. Additionally, the region features Prémeaux limestone with siliceous nodules and Comblanchien limestone (Bathonian), which is more compact. The slopes are punctuated by short valleys known as “combes,” which introduce diversity by bringing down glacial till and cobbles, increasing soil heterogeneity. This complex mixture of limestone and marl contributes to the structured, long-lived Pinot Noirs of the region.
Côte de Beaune
The Côte de Beaune features limestone and marl formations from the Middle to Late Jurassic, including the limestone of Chassagne, Pholadomya belona marl (Bathonian), and various rock formations such as those in Ladoix (Callovian) and Saint-Romain (Oxfordian). The presence of limestone from the Mountain of Beaune and Nantoux adds to the complexity. A key feature of the Côte de Beaune is the juxtaposition of limestone and marl, which supports both great white wines like Meursault and Montrachet and subtle red wines like Volnay and Pommard. The hill of Corton is an example where Pinot Noir grows on Callovian limestone, while Chardonnay thrives on the marl of Pernand.
Key Differences
• Limestone Composition: The Côte de Nuits has crinoidal and Comblanchien limestone, while the Côte de Beaune features a broader range of limestone formations, including Pholadomya belona marl.
• Marl Presence: The Côte de Beaune has a more varied marl composition, which supports both red and white varieties, whereas the Côte de Nuits is more focused on marl-limestone combinations ideal for Pinot Noir.
• Glacial Influence: The Côte de Nuits’ “combes” bring additional geological complexity by depositing glacial till, while the Côte de Beaune’s soil variations are more tied to different limestone and marl layers.
• Wine Suitability: The Côte de Nuits’ limestone-heavy soils favor structured and tannic Pinot Noir, while the Côte de Beaune’s marl and limestone mix allows for both white and red wine production, depending on the exact soil composition.
Conclusion
The soils of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune reflect their geological histories and shape the wine styles of each region. While the Côte de Nuits is dominated by limestone formations that produce age-worthy Pinot Noirs, the Côte de Beaune’s mix of limestone and marl allows for world-class Chardonnay and softer, more elegant red wines.
Explain the differences of the soils between the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais (essay format)
Côte Chalonnaise
Situated just south of the Côte d’Or, the Côte Chalonnaise is defined by multiple faults that divide the terrain into panel that slope it down towards the Bresse plain. The region’s soils are predominantly limestone mixed with clay and sand, with occasional iron deposits. The vineyards are interspersed among rolling hills at altitudes between 230–320 meters, providing diverse microclimates. Notably, around Mercurey, soils have a high concentration of iron-rich marl, contributing to the deep color and fuller body of the red wines produced there.
Mâconnais
Located further south, the Mâconnais region exhibits a varied topography with a series of hills aligned from north-northeast to south-southwest, leaning towers the clay-rich Bresse plain. An example is the Rock of Solutré, faults bring together terrains that are varied in nature (clay, limestone, marl, sandstone) and age (Triassic,Jurassic, Cretaceous, Tertiary), and which accomade both red and white grapes.
The soils here are diverse, comprising limestone, marl, and clay. The presence of granite is also notable, particularly in areas favorable to the Gamay grape (volcanic/granitic soils from Triassic epoch). The hills of the Mâconnais form a linked series along an axis from north-northeast to south-southwest, contributing to the region’s varied terroir.
Largest Côte d’Or wine producing village?
Meursault
Soils and expo for northern vineyards of Meursault
Vineyards sloping SE, soils here are a brown, stony debris, with a greater proportion of clay that proves more suited to red grapes that white.
Southern vineyards of meursault
Lighter in color, and much rockier than northern vineyards.
Top 1ers of Meursault
Les Perrières:
* 13.72 ha
* Stony
*foucused, powerful, mineral, taut
*Grand Cru quality but does have the richness of grand cu which makes it unique
most famous. Dr Lavalle considered this plot only second to Le Montrachet. Site of former quarry, top soil is rocky with excellent drainage. It benefits from the protection of Montmellian forest above.
Les Genevrieres:
* 16.48 ha
* named after juniper
* 4 Lieux dits
*Quintessential Meursault, Balance and power, flesh, and minerality
Les Charmes:
* 31.12 ha- largest and best known
* 2 Lieux dits
Dessus is UPPER stonier, thinner - 1er cuvée lavalle
Dessous is LOWER flatter,heavier soil, less stony
Charme- ‘hornbeam’, or ‘field’ (Chaume)
*Round, full, often sumptuous, less mineral. Can lack edge with warmer vintages 2
Poruzot:
*11.43 ha
*3 Lieux dits: Dessus is best - village vineyard enclosed
*Cooler site with forest above
*Good density, less fragrant, not as refined firmer
List the 4 lieu dits of Perrières vineyard in Meursault
Les Perrières Dessus
Les Perrières Dessous
Clos des Perrières (Monopole of Albert Grivault)
Aux Perrières
Meursault AOC Fact
AOC:1936
One Commune, one hamlet
Mostly white with a some red wines
NO grand crus
Annual production: 18,310hl
* 2% red
* 11% of CdB wines
* 27% 1er
List a 1er cru red from Meursault (not Blagny)
Les Caillerets, a fingertip vineyards (1 ha) sticking out of Volnay into Meursault. Light stony soils on Bathonian limestone. Coche dury and Francois Mikulski make this wine.
Explain the quirky wine law of Blagny red/white for these vineyards:
Les Ravelles
La Jeunelotte
Sous Blagny
La Pièce Sous Le Bois
Sous Le Dos d’Ane
Meursault Blagny 1er or Meursault 1er for white
Blagny 1er for red
Exception: Les Ravelles (Meursault 1er for white, Blagny village for red, not 1er)
Explain the quirky wine law of Santenot’s red/white for these vineyards:
Les Plures
Les Santenots Blanca
Les Santenots du Milieu
Les Santenots Dessous
Les Santenots is sold as Meursault Santenots if white and Volnay Santenots if red, as it usually is.
Volnay Santenots 1er if red,
Meursault-Santenots 1er if white
Exception: Les Santenots Dessous:
Volnay Santenots 1er or Volnay 1er if red
Meursault Village if white
Meursault in the glass
Tricky with different soil types, exposures, soils depths, and wine making.
Meursault generally ample, broad, pear, lemon, biscuity, brioche. Can be moderately rich and structured, more mineral.
Wines more chiseled over past 20 years
Meursault historically has been richer and rounder, now more mineral and taught
Chassagne more fleshy
Meursault in the glass
Tricky with different soil types, exposures, soils depths, and wine making.
Meursault generally ample, broad, pear, lemon, biscuity, brioche. Can be moderately rich and structured, more mineral.
Wines more chiseled over past 20 years
Meursault historically has been richer and rounder, now more mineral and taught
Chassagne more fleshy
Notable Meursault ‘Village Level’ Vineyards
Chevalières Villlage
*8.78 ha
* Bottom more clay, top thin, mother rock
*Poised, mineral with substance
Other great vineyards:
* Tessons
* Rougeot
* Tillets
* Narvaux
Blagny AOC Facts
AOC: 1937
* 4.46 ha- red wine only for Blagny on label, white wine its labeled as Meursault .
* 7 1er crus (92% of land)
* Divided by Meursault (4), Puligny-Montrachet (3)
Blagny La Pièce Sous Le Bois 1er:
*11.15ha
*Planted to both white (top) and red (bottom)
*Medium full bodied, spicy, Ligheter than Santenots
Which village was the center for Dukes of Burgundy?
Volnay
Which climats/ vineyards retained their name since the 11th Century in Volnay
Clos de Ducs
Clos de Chateau des Ducs
Clos de la Cave des Ducs
Which Duke of Burgundy stated no gamay to be planted in Volnay
Phillip the Bold
Volnay AOC Facts
AOC: 1937
Red wines only (sort of)
* 29 1er crus
* Average Annual Production - 7,711 hl - 5% of CdB wines (but 10.5% of CdN)
* Numerous monopoles and Clos (10)
* Two communes: Volnay and Meursault
* 213 ha (54% 1er)
* Thick band of 1ers
*Expo: SE, E
* Known for limestone (Pommard known for Clay)
* North side is in the Hail Zone
* Santenots is 29 ha
Explain the four sections of 1ers of Volnay
Four sections:
* Border of Pommard -Lower vineyards, sturdier wines
* Around the village - several were labelled as ‘Le village’ until 1985.
* Lower slopes
* South of village /Meursault
Explain Combes
Valleys created by erosion, carried soil and alluvial stones from glaciers
Allows cool air to descend into vineyards from Hautes Côte like a funnel
Combe in Volnay?
La Petite Combe
Volnay in the glass
Medium deep ruby
Refined, elegant, sometimes fleshy and mineral
Chambolle of CdB
Silky texture
Notable 1ers of Volnay
Les Caillerets 1er:
*14.36 ha
*EXPO: SE
*Soil: marl and limestone
*Tete de Cuvée (Lavalle)
* Today greatest vineyard in Volnay
* Power but not muscles; mineral spine. Long lived.
Clos de Chenes 1er:
15.42 ha
* high upslope, steep at top, little soil. Pure white limestone and brown gravel.
* Robust, powerful, mineral
*2ème (Lavalle)
Taillepeids
*7.13 ha (2 sections)
* one of the steepest vineyards in Volnay
* “Cut feet” - rocks
* more iron oxide - lower parcel
* delicate and powerful, can be austere
En Chapman:
11.19 ha- 4th largest
* Slight slope
* Tete de Cuvée (Lavalle)
* Stoney/ Mark; red brown soil; well draining soil (not super deep)
* quintessential Volnay
Explain Santenots 1er
- 29 ha - largest
- Actually in Meursault
- Heart of the vineyard - Santenots du Milieu (8 ha) Great reputation
- Lots of clay
- Powerful, rich, ample wines
Explain Meursault Santenots 1er
- Chardonnay ‘version’ of Volnay Santenots
- smaller quantity
- Most from Plures/Pitures
*Rich, sometimes heavier whites, less mineral than other zones
Burgundy is prone to what pests, diseases, and weather hazards?
Downy (peronospora) and powdery (oïdium) mildew, trunk disease, botrytis
Phylloxera(1878)
Grape worms(caterpillars)
Red spiders (panocychus ulmi)
Yellow spiders (Eotetranychus carpini)
Grey rot (caused by botrytis)
Eutypa dieback
Hail
Spring fe
First three negociant houses in Bourgogne
Downy (peronospora) and powdery (oïdium) mildew, trunk disease, botrytis
Phylloxera(1878)
Grape worms(caterpillars)
Red spiders (panocychus ulmi)
Yellow spiders (Eotetranychus carpini)
Grey rot (caused by botrytis)
Eutypa dieback
Hail
Spring Frost
Which vintages had botryits in Bourgogne
‘15
‘16
‘17
‘18
‘19
Hail vintages
‘12
‘13
‘14
‘18 ( little damage)
Hail could quickly turn into grey rot, if this happens around harvest time, the only way to save crop is to harvest immediately like Chablis 2018
How is global warming affecting spring frost
First leaves of season /bud burst are coming earlier and earlier, because burgundy is gerttting warmer and warmer.
This makes bigger risk to spring frost.
‘16
‘17
‘19
‘21
Chablis sprays water on frost which helps
Candles in vineyards
In November 2024, which 4 new
Premiers Crus (PCs) were approved for Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC and Pouilly-Loché AOC:
Pouilly-Vinzelles: Les Longeays, Les Pétaux and Les Quarts
o Pouilly-Loché: Les Mûres
Clos de Beze vs Chambertin: which is a cooler climate?
Clos de Bèze is warmer than Chambertin, not cooler. Clos de Bèze does
not get the same influence of the Combe de Lavaux, so it’s warmer and the wines are slightly more
opulent.
Chardonnay Synonyms
Pinot Chardonnay (historical)
Morillon (Yonne)
Beaunois (Chablis)
Aligote Synonyms
Griset Blanc (Beaune)
Plant Gris (Meursault)
Giboudot Blanc (Rully)
Chaudent Gras (Côte Chalonnaise)
Chardonnay vs Aligote, similarities and differences
CHARDONNAY buds early, susceptible to spring frost and ripens early, usually avoiding autumn rains.
Vigorous vine requiring high density of planting or severe pruning to keep vegetative growth in check.
The clusters ripen to high sugar levels which delivers wines of high alcohol levels. Juice is generally high in extract, but aromatically subdued. Acid levels fall quickly as grape ripens.
Its primary fruit typically consists of apple and citrus with secondary and tertiary aromas of butter, nuts, ginger, vanilla, and nutmeg.
It’s pale white to yellow gold in color depending on age and its specific terroir. The wine responds favorably to stint in oak.
ALIGOTÉ is a vine of average vigor, yet it is more productive than Chardonnay.The wines it creates are aromatic, with medium-body and high acid levels. It delivers a wine with pretty jasmine and vanilla perfume. There are two important clones of the grape: Doré and Vert.
Doré is superior as its more generous and elegant aromatics and yields less fruit. Historically planted extensively though Bourgogne. As recently as 1979, Aligote comprised more than have of the white grape vines in the Côte d’Or.
What is Gevreys steepest Grand Cru?
Ruchottes, poor soils as thin as 20 cm in some areas create austere wines in their youth. Mazis, below is much flatter but benefits from cool air from Combe lavaux.
Clos de Beze first planted when? Soils?
640, premaux limestone and calcare a entroques (bajocian and bathonian)
Moderately steep incline increasing sun slight, shielded by forest above
Chapelle and Griotte similarities
Both vineyards on top of old quarry, lighter more finessed expression providing excellent drainage. Vineyards likely filled from human activity, deeper soils.
Why is there little Mazoyeres-Chamberitn in the market?
Mazoyeres growers can release their wines as Chamres, and they do because it’s more marketable. Resulting in little Mazoyeres in the market.
Regional AOCs make up how much of Bourgogne’s total volume?
About 52%
Four regional AOCs of Coteaux Bourguigons
All can be declassified, downward until the lowest of the hierarchy (Coteaux Bourguigonons)
1: Macon AOC
2: Bourgogne AOC + DGC
3: Bourgogne AOC (Bourgogne + method of production: Aligote , passe-tout-grains, cremant, mousseaux) (Can be declassified into Cousteax Bourguigons)
4: Coteaux Bourguigonons AOC
Cote de Nuit Village and Cote de Beaune Village are Village level AOC’s!
Coteaux Bourguignon AOC
AOC: 2011, replaced Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire/ Bourgonge Ordinaire (1937)
- 269 ha
- red, white and rosé
- Area of production all 4 departments: Yonne, Cote d O’r, Saone-et-Loire, Rhône)
- Varieties: most relaxed of regional AOCs
- Vineyards: distinct from Bourgonge AOC, different vineyards!
Bourgonge AOC
AOC since 1937
- 2,653 ha
- red, white, and rose
- area of production: all 4 departments of Bourgogne (Yonne, Côte d’Or, Saione et Loire, and Rhône)
- Can have ‘Pinot Noir’ or ‘Chardonnay’ added to label (min. 85%, otherwise 70%)
- ‘Gamay’ must be added if min. 85% (grapes must originate from Beaujolaios cru vineyards)
- 13 DGCs (Bourgogne Chitry, Bourgogne Côtes d’Auxerre, Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise, Bourgonge Côtes du Couchois, Bourgogne Côte d’Or, Bourgogne Côte Saint Jacques, Bourgogne Coulanges-la-Vineuse, Bourgogne Epineuil, Bourgogne Haut Cotes de Beaune, Bourgogne Hautes Côte de Nutis, Bourgogne La Chapelle Notre Dame, Bourgogne Motrecul, Bourgogne Tonnerre.
How many AOCs total in Bourgonge
So the equation moving forward is 7 regional AOCs, 44 village-level AOCs, 33 grand cru AOCs (7+44+33=84). The new AOC count in Bourgogne is 84.
The 13 DGC’s of Bourgonge AOP are on there own AOPs
Differences between Coteaux Bourguignons AOC and Bourgogne AOC
- different vineyard plots
*Min ABV: Coteaux: 10%, Bourgonge: 10.2-11%
- Varieties :
Coteaux (main): Gamay, Pinot, Cesar (Yonne), Aligote, Chard, Melon, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sacy
Bourgogne (main): Pinot, Chard, Pinot Blanc - Price: lower for Coteaux
Regional AOCs with Prodcuiton Decree
*Bourgogne plus 13 DGCs
* Bourgogne Aligote
*Bourgogne Mousseux
*Bourgogne Pass-Tout-Grains
*Coteaux Bourguignons
*Cremant de Bourgonge
*Macon, Macon-Villages, Macon + Villages
Bourgogne Aligoté AOC
AOC: 1937
*100% Aligoté
*1577 ha (produces 50% of Bourgogne blanc) 97,345hl
* spans 3 departments (Yonne, Côte d’Or, Saone-et-loire)
* two main clones: Doré and vert
*High acidity, sibling of Chardonnay
Bourgonge Passe-Tout-Grains AOC
AOC: 1937
* 229 ha
* Pinot Noir (min 30%), Gamay (min 15%, max 2/3), most producers still to 50/50
Bourgogne Mousseux AOC
AOC: 1943
* Historically the appellation for all sparkling wine in Bourgogne
* traditional method
* 51 hl
* Red only
* Pinot Noir (mostly), Gamay, Cesar, Tressot (Yonne)
Crémant de Bourgogne AOC
AOC:1975
*2,673+ ha
*white, rose
*tradtional method
*spans 4 departments (Yonne, Côte d’Or, saione et loire, Rhône)
* Eminent/ Grand Eminent
Eminent: min 2 years lees aging
Grand Eminent: 3 years lees aging
Brut style only, panel tasting for approval, for white cremant only Chardonnay and Pinot noir, Rose allows up to 20% Gamay. Only 75% of extracted juice allowed in production.
Bourgogne AOC + Delimited Zones
Bourgogne Côtes d’Auxerre (1993 - Yonne)
• 241 ha - 5 communes
• Red, white, rosé
Bourgogne Côte d’Or (2017)
• 341 ha - 36 communes
• Red (100% PN), white (100% Chardonnay)
Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise (1990)
• 533 ha - 46 communes
• Red, white, rosé
Bourgogne Côtes du Couchois (2000 - Saone-et-
• 11.5 ha - 6 communes
S. of Hautes Côtes/Maranges; W. of “Côte Chalonnaise
•only Reds for now
Two combs of Savigny
Combe d’orange
Combe de Barboron
River that flows near Epineuil and Tonnerrois
Armançon
Regions in the Yonne Department
Chablis
Auxerrois
Jovinien
Vezelien
Tonnerrois
What department is Chatillonnais located in
Côte d’Or
Paris Basin
Sedimentary Basin, with the city of Paris at its center. Sediments formed when France was a shallow tropical sea. Drainage part of many rivers. Many layers of limestone and marls.
Big dip at the basin, not because of tetonic activity but because of the weight of sediment on top.
Older soils are exposed on outter ends of basin. Younger soils collected in center of basin.
Example: Chablis (portlandian)
Côte d’Or soils up to 20 million years older.
Chablis/Grand Auxerrois- Jurasssic
How do many different layers of soils/strata affect the topography?
Erosion happens at different speeds/ rates causing asymmetrical landscape, like a sharp edged land and soft, round land. (Questas)
What was the influence of the monks in Chablis?
510 CE the Abbey of Saint Loup was established. Monks started ranking vineyards focusing on Chardonnay and Pinot production.
Cistercian & Benedictine Monks –
• The Cistercian monks from the Abbey of Pontigny, founded in 1114, were the most influential in developing the reputation of Chablis’ vineyards. Vines were planted during Roman times.
What impact does the Serein river have on the vineyards of Chablis?
Moderates the vineyards, heat reflects off the water.
Adds humidity which increases risk for frost.
Transportation from Chablis to Paris promoting early trade.
How did the events of the 19th and 20th centuries affect the commercial standing of Chablis?
Powdery and downy mildews
Phylloxera
railway system (opened 1856)
(No longer the only dog in the race)
World wars
Low labor available
What helped Chablis recover from the slump of the 19th and 20th century, post 1960s
Frost protection methods (reservoir of water near the grand cru hill to protect vines from frost, growers will spray the vines)
Mechanization
INAO expansion of production area (1978)
5,700ha of vineyard today
What are the quality questions raised by the expansion of Chablis?
Yields (60 ha to high?)
Farming and Viticulture techniques
Hand picked vs mechanical harvest
Vineyard location appropriate?
Chablis GC climat from west to east
Bougros
Preuses
Vaudesir
Grenouilles
Valmur
Les Clos
Blanchot
Which Chablis GC climat has the deepest top soils
Preuses
Which Chablis GC climat is an amphitheater shape collecting heat
Vaudésir
1ers right bank Chablis
Montée de Tonnerre
Mont de Milieu
Fourchaume
1ers left bank Chablis
Vaillons
Montmains
Cote de lechet
Why is the right bank of Chablis preferred?
Warmer vineyards resulting in more powerful wines.
Close to the grand cru climat sharing the great S/SW exposure.
Kimmeridgian soils (more Portlandian on left bank)
Saint Bris and Vézelay wine styles
White only
Which village is a crémant stronghold?
Chatillonnais
Bouzeron
Hard to know on the label where the wine come from because labels as ‘Cramant de Bourgogne’
Which 1er in Savigny sits right between two Combes
Aux Guettes
Hospices de Beaune created when
1443
Originally created as a hospital to help the poor and orphans
Which négociants are based in Beaune
Jadot, Drouhin, Bouchard, Bichot, Chanson, Champy, Louis Latour
Beaune Monopoles and Owners
Clos de la Mousse - Bouchard
Clos des Ursules - Jadot
Les Fèves - Chanson
A l’Ecu - Faivley
Clos Landry, Clos de la Féguine - Jacques Priuer
What style of wine is Beaune known for
84% red
16% white
Styles of Beaune’s three sections:
North - more sand, lighter wines
Center - the best, mid slope
South - flatter, can lack energy, best whites
Beaune Combes
Savigny (mild influence)
Bouze
X (unknown name)
Lulunne
Best 1ers in Beaune
Les Grèves:
31.3 ha - largest
* mostly red
*Higher slope, iron oxide soils
* Gravel
* powerful, ample, age worthy
Les Teurons:
21.04 ha, 3 parcels
* Tureau means higher up
* Soil— stonier on the top, good draining, bottom heavier clay
* Muscular, can be austere young, but can have flesh in warm years
Aux Cras:
5 ha
* named after limestone, some iron oxide
*several terraces
*finely tuned, poised, mineral, not as rich
Les Clos de Mouches:
25 ha, 3 parcels
*at Pommard border
* Mouche - Honey Bees
* Rich, Iron-oxide soil, some sand and limestone, good drainage
Made famously by Drouhin (14ha)
* just celebrated 100 years of ownership
* Iconic status
* 50/50 white/red
* White: Synthesis of Corton Charlemange and Puligny
* Red: Plump, nicely balanced, fine
Côte de Beaune AOC
- AOC 1937
- Village appellation (not cote de Beaune Village)
- 66.14ha designated higher up on the slope above village of beaune. Half is planted, 14 ha red, 16 ha white
- Red and white
- Fresh wines, good minerality
Villages for Côte de Beaune-Villages AOC production
All sixteen village communes in cote de Beaune EXCEPT these four villages:
1. Beaune AOC
2. Aloxe-Corton AOC
3. Pommard AOC
4. Volnay AOC
Why Are They Excluded?
• These villages are considered strong enough to stand alone with their own village-level AOCs due to their historical reputation.
Explain differences in how wines taste between the 3 villages of Corton:
Pernand
Aloxe-Corton
Ladoix
Pernand:
Reds/ Whites: Elegant, pure, good minerality, the most polished; but still CdB, ‘vins de Combe’
Aloxe-Corton:
Red: Robust, can be quite burly, rustic, chewy tannins; best examples more polished; more simple examples - ‘blocky’; needs time.
Ladoix: In between; whites mineral, fresh, mod. Elegant. Reds: often fresh, more pronounced tannins than PV, often more refined than AC; some ‘vins de Combe’
Ha breakdown between Corton VIllages:
Pernand
Aloxe-Corton
Ladoix
Pernand: 205 ha
Aloxe-Corton: 129.3 ha
Ladoix: 143.3 ha
Break down of Grand Cru Climats in Corton among villages:
Pernand
Aloxe-Corton
Ladoix
Pernand: 1
Aloxe Corton: 16
Ladoix: 9
26 total
What percentage of Aloxe-Corton is Grand Cru vineyard?
48%!
Aloxe-Corton: red vs white whine production
99% red!
Pernand Vergelesses AOC
AOC: 1936
* red and white wines
* 3.5% of CdB wines (not including GC)
* eight 1ers, three are white only
* 1 grand cru climat
* Combe wines (2); alluvial fan
* 250-300 mask
* Expo: E/W/SW/S/SE
* Good value
Top 1ers in Pernand-Vergelesses:
Ile de Vergelesses:
* 9.41 ha
* @ lieu dits (île des Hauts, Les Basses)
* Mostly red, some white
* Best 1er among the 3 villages
* An island; touches ‘Les Vergelesses’ in Savingy
* Tete de Cuvée (Rodier): 1ère Cuvée (Lavalle)
* Refined, ample, red fruited, mineral
‘Vergelesses’ was added to ‘Pernand’ because Vergelesses is the greatest cru of the village
SOUS Frétille 1er:
*10.25 ha
* white only
*Expo: SE ( but not complete sun exposure)
* Top of hill, lots of limestone
* Mineral, fresh, citrus, and orchard fruits
Aloxe-Corton Facts
AOC 1938
* 2 communes: Aloxe-Corton: Ladoix Serrigny
* Almost all red wine
* Warmer microclimate, shielded from Combe influence
* Lots of red (iron oxide), brown soils, clay, some gravel.
* Expo: S/SE/E
* 14 1ers (6 in Ladoix) - both colors
* 16 grand cru climates
* ‘Les Paulands’ - 3 tier Lieu-dit ( grand cru, 1er, and village)
