Burgundy - Overview and history

Question 1

When did winemaking begin in Burgundy?

Answer 1

Late 1st century CE, after Roman conquest

Question 2

Who were the first burgundians and when did they arrive?

Answer 2

Germanic barbarian tribesmen—arrived in the fifth century as the Western Roman Empire was crumbling, and they embraced viticulture

Question 3

Who founded the first era of Burgundy as we know it today?

Answer 3

The Catholic Church (Cistercians) who acquired lage vineyard holdings in the 12th century, many becoming modern day Grand Cru vineyards

Question 4

What famous grand cru vineyard did the Cistercians acquire in Burgundy?

Answer 4

Clos Vougoet

Question 5

By which century were most of Burgundy’s greatest vineyards converted to viticulture?

Answer 5

14th Century

Question 6

Who were responsible for cultivating Burgundy’s terroir during the Middle Ages?

Answer 6

The Cistercians and Benedictine Monks

Question 7

When did the wines of Burgundy become a symbol of quality and luxury?

Answer 7

15th Century

Question 8

Which ruling family recognized the importance of Burgundy wines in the 15th century?

Answer 8

The Valois dukes, who ruled Burgundy from 1363 to 1477

Question 9

What action did Duke Philip the Bold take to improve Burgundy wine quality?

Answer 9

He ordered Gamay vines to be replaced with Pinot Noir

Question 10

What did Duke Philip the Good promote to enhance Burgundy wine production?

Answer 10

He promoted hillside viticulture

Question 11

What historic charitable institution did Nicolas Rolin found in 1443?

Answer 11

The Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune

Question 12

What annual wine auction is held at The Hotel-Dieu

Answer 12

Hospice du Beaune

Question 13

What event led to the seizure and auction of noble and clerical lands in Burgundy?

Answer 13

The French Revolution in the early 1790s

Question 14

How did Napoléon’s Napoleonic Code impact vineyard ownership in Burgundy?

Answer 14

It required inheritances to be split equally among heirs, leading to fragmented vineyard ownership

Question 15

How many growers currently own sections of the grand cru Clos Vougeot?

Answer 15

Over 80 growers

Question 16

What role did négociants play in Burgundy’s wine industry?

Answer 16

They purchased grapes from fragmented vineyards and combined them to create commercially viable wines

Question 17

When did négociants first appear in Burgundy?

Answer 17

In the early 18th century

Question 18

Why were négociants important for Burgundy growers?

Answer 18

They handled the costs of making and marketing the wine for growers with fewer vines

Question 19

What were the two main types of land-leasing arrangements in Burgundy?

Answer 19

Métayage (sharecropping) and fermage (leasing)

Question 20

What development reduced négociants’ control over Burgundy wine sales?

Answer 20

The advent of domaine bottling in the 1920s

Question 21

What is the historical significance of the Napoleonic Code for Burgundy vineyards?

Answer 21

It set the foundation for the fragmented ownership structure still present today

Question 22

How did vineyard fragmentation affect Burgundy’s wine industry?

Answer 22

It created a patchwork of small vineyard plots, making négociants essential for commercial production

Question 23

How many cases does Domaine de la Romanée-Conti produce annually?

Answer 23

6,000 to 8,000 cases divided among eight grand cru bottlings

Question 24

How does Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s production compare to Château Lafite-Rothschild’s?

Answer 24

DRC produces 6,000–8,000 cases of multiple wines, while Lafite-Rothschild produces about 16,000 cases of a single grand vin annually

Question 25

How do négociant wines generally compare in price to domaine wines?

Answer 25

They are generally less expensive but may lack the excitement of domaine wines

Question 26

What advantage do négociants have in difficult vintages?

Answer 26

They have more fruit at their disposal and more options for correcting issues

Question 27

Which négociant sources nearly 80% of its fruit from its own family domaine?

Answer 27

Maison Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-Georges

Question 28

Who is the largest landowner in the Côte d’Or?

Answer 28

Bouchard Père & Fils, with 130 hectares of vines

Question 29

Name two newer négociants that command domaine prices for small outputs

Answer 29

Remoissenet and Lucien le Moine

Question 30

Which houses offer both domaine and négociant wines handled identically?

Answer 30

Domaine Leroy, Dujac, and Hubert de Montille

Question 31

What are the four tiers of the AOP system, unique to Burgundy?

Answer 31

Regional, Village, Premiere Cru and Grand Cru

Question 32

How much of burgundy’s wine production falls under Regionale designation?

Answer 32

50%

Question 33

How much of burgundy’s wine production falls under Grand Cru designation?

Answer 33

2% (including Chablis Grand Cru AOP)

Question 34

Is Burgundy’s Premiere Cru it’s own AOP?

Answer 34

No. they are legally defined geographic designations for village AOP wines

Question 35

What grape varieties may be included in Regional AOP wines in Burgundy?

Answer 35

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, as well as Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Cesar but typically play a supporting role.