Burgundy - Overview and history Flashcards
When did winemaking begin in Burgundy?
Late 1st century CE, after Roman conquest
Who were the first burgundians and when did they arrive?
Germanic barbarian tribesmen—arrived in the fifth century as the Western Roman Empire was crumbling, and they embraced viticulture
Who founded the first era of Burgundy as we know it today?
The Catholic Church (Cistercians) who acquired lage vineyard holdings in the 12th century, many becoming modern day Grand Cru vineyards
What famous grand cru vineyard did the Cistercians acquire in Burgundy?
Clos Vougoet
By which century were most of Burgundy’s greatest vineyards converted to viticulture?
14th Century
Who were responsible for cultivating Burgundy’s terroir during the Middle Ages?
The Cistercians and Benedictine Monks
When did the wines of Burgundy become a symbol of quality and luxury?
15th Century
Which ruling family recognized the importance of Burgundy wines in the 15th century?
The Valois dukes, who ruled Burgundy from 1363 to 1477
What action did Duke Philip the Bold take to improve Burgundy wine quality?
He ordered Gamay vines to be replaced with Pinot Noir
What did Duke Philip the Good promote to enhance Burgundy wine production?
He promoted hillside viticulture
What historic charitable institution did Nicolas Rolin found in 1443?
The Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune
What annual wine auction is held at The Hotel-Dieu
Hospice du Beaune
What event led to the seizure and auction of noble and clerical lands in Burgundy?
The French Revolution in the early 1790s
How did Napoléon’s Napoleonic Code impact vineyard ownership in Burgundy?
It required inheritances to be split equally among heirs, leading to fragmented vineyard ownership
How many growers currently own sections of the grand cru Clos Vougeot?
Over 80 growers
What role did négociants play in Burgundy’s wine industry?
They purchased grapes from fragmented vineyards and combined them to create commercially viable wines
When did négociants first appear in Burgundy?
In the early 18th century
Why were négociants important for Burgundy growers?
They handled the costs of making and marketing the wine for growers with fewer vines
What were the two main types of land-leasing arrangements in Burgundy?
Métayage (sharecropping) and fermage (leasing)
What development reduced négociants’ control over Burgundy wine sales?
The advent of domaine bottling in the 1920s
What is the historical significance of the Napoleonic Code for Burgundy vineyards?
It set the foundation for the fragmented ownership structure still present today
How did vineyard fragmentation affect Burgundy’s wine industry?
It created a patchwork of small vineyard plots, making négociants essential for commercial production
How many cases does Domaine de la Romanée-Conti produce annually?
6,000 to 8,000 cases divided among eight grand cru bottlings
How does Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s production compare to Château Lafite-Rothschild’s?
DRC produces 6,000–8,000 cases of multiple wines, while Lafite-Rothschild produces about 16,000 cases of a single grand vin annually
How do négociant wines generally compare in price to domaine wines?
They are generally less expensive but may lack the excitement of domaine wines
What advantage do négociants have in difficult vintages?
They have more fruit at their disposal and more options for correcting issues
Which négociant sources nearly 80% of its fruit from its own family domaine?
Maison Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-Georges
Who is the largest landowner in the Côte d’Or?
Bouchard Père & Fils, with 130 hectares of vines
Name two newer négociants that command domaine prices for small outputs
Remoissenet and Lucien le Moine
Which houses offer both domaine and négociant wines handled identically?
Domaine Leroy, Dujac, and Hubert de Montille
What are the four tiers of the AOP system, unique to Burgundy?
Regional, Village, Premiere Cru and Grand Cru
How much of burgundy’s wine production falls under Regionale designation?
50%
How much of burgundy’s wine production falls under Grand Cru designation?
2% (including Chablis Grand Cru AOP)
Is Burgundy’s Premiere Cru it’s own AOP?
No. they are legally defined geographic designations for village AOP wines
What grape varieties may be included in Regional AOP wines in Burgundy?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, as well as Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Cesar but typically play a supporting role.
