C15 - Burgundy Flashcards
1
Q
How is the climate of burgundy best described?
A
Cool continental in the north around Chablis and moderate continental further south
2
Q
What negative effects can rain have specifically in Burgundy?
A
Frequently disrupts flowering in early summer and harvest later in the year
3
Q
Which Burgundy grape is particularly susceptible to grey rot?
A
Pinot Noir
4
Q
What is the climatic hazard particular to the Chablis area of Burgundy?
A
Spring frosts
5
Q
How late can spring frosts appear in Chablis?
A
May
6
Q
Other than frosts, what else can cause a large problem in Burgundy?
A
Summer hail
7
Q
Where are the more basic, village level vineyards usually located in Burgundy?
A
On flat sites or at the bottom of slopes
8
Q
Where are premier or grand cru vineyards of Burgundy often found?
A
Mid-slope
9
Q
Name a beneficial climatic feature of a vineyard site being mid-slope rather than lower
A
They are less prone to frost
10
Q
What additional locational feature do the very top Burgundy vineyards share?
A
South or east facing exposure
11
Q
Other than light exposure, why is it beneficial for the best vineyards to be south or east facing?
A
They are sheltered from prevailing westerly winds
12
Q
What is the soil type in Burgundy?
A
The soils are very varied
13
Q
Why is there so much soil variation in Burgundy?
A
A result of a large number of geological faults combined with gradual erosion
14
Q
What is the reason linked to subtle changes in wine-style in Burgundy?
A
Variation in soil type
15
Q
How does soil quality vary dependant on topography?
A
Soils on hillsides are shallower and better drained
Soil on flat land is deeper and more fertile
16
Q
What are the grapes used in Burgundy wine production?
A
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Aligoté
Gamay
17
Q
What proportion of total vineyard area does Pinot Noir account for in Burgundy?
A
Over a third
18
Q
Where in Burgundy is Pinot Noir grown?
A
Throughout, but the most important plantings are in the Côte d’Or
19
Q
What flavours does Burgundian Pinot Noir typically express? Acidity and tannin?
A
Red fruit flavours in youth
Evolve into flavours of earth, game and mushroom
High acidity
Low to medium tannin
20
Q
Which practice has gradually become more popular in Burgundian vinification of Pinot Noir?
A
The use of whole bunches
21
Q
How long is Pinot Noir typically aged in Burgundy’s best wines?
A
16 to 18 months in barrel
22
Q
What are Pinot Noirs generally aged in in Burgundy?
A
New oak for a period (though this does depend on the producer)
23
Q
What proportion of vineyard area in Burgundy does Chardonnay usually account for?
A
Nearly half
24
Q
Describe the character of Chardonnay in Burgundy
A
Steely and high acid in Chablis
Complex and expressive in Côte d’Or
Full bodied and riper in Mâcon
25
Where was the modern style of premium Chardonnay production founded?
Burgundy
26
What are the four modern techniques used in Chardonnay production in Burgundy that now contribute to the world's most famous Chardonnays?
Barrel fermentation
Barrel ageing (6-9 months typically)
MLF
Using lees during maturation
27
What is still in high debate when it comes to Burgundian vinification of Chardonnay?
How much new oak ageing is appropriate
| The appropriate amount of toasting for barrels
28
How long can the best Burgundian Chardonnay age for?
Ten years or more
29
What problem was discovered with Burgundian Chardonnays 15 years ago?
They were not ageing as expected
| Some were showing signs of premature oxidation
30
What is the cause of the premature oxidation problem in Burgundy Chardonnays?
It has not been identified definitively
31
Describe the flavour profile of Aligoté
White grape producing neutral wines with high acidity
32
What kinds of wines can Aligoté produce?
Usually neutral, but can produce high quality when grown on sites where it can ripen fully
33
Why does Aligoté rarely produce quality wines in Burgundy?
Appropriate sites are usually taken by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
34
Describe Gamay in Burgundy
Early drinking red
Ripe berry fruit
Low tannins
35
What sort of appellations can Gamay be applied to?
Some regional, but nothing higher
36
Where is Chablis in Burgundy?
In the valley of the river Serein (northernmost Burgundy)
37
On what sort of aspect is the best Chablis usually planted?
South-facing
38
Some of the lesser Chablis vineyards are known as...
Petit Chablis
39
What is the major climatic problem in Chablis?
Spring frosts
40
How is Spring frost protected against in Chablis?
With sprinklers and heaters
41
How many grapes are permitted in Chablis?
One (Chardonnay)
42
Describe the aspect of basic, village level Chablis
Grown on north-facing slopes and flatter land
43
Describe the aspect of premier cru and grand cru sites in Chablis
South facing hillsides
44
Describe the flavours of Petit Chablis and Chablis
They can be very austere with green fruit and high acidity
| Better examples show riper fruit flavours
45
Describe the flavours of Cru Chablis
Riper, more concentrated fruit (citrus rather than green apple)
More body
High acidity
46
Is Chablis oak aged?
Some Cru producers age Chablis in old oak
47
What is the effect of ageing Chablis in old oak?
It gives a rounder texture and subtle flavours
48
How may pure fruit flavours be retained in Chablis?
By fermenting and storing wines in stainless steel or concrete
49
Which hill/mountain range is nearby to the Côte d'Or? Where is it?
The Massif Central
| Along the western limit
50
What does the Massif Central provide in Burgundy?
Favourable east and southeast facing hillside locations
51
What is the Côte de Nuits best known for?
Many of the fullest-bodied, longest-lived Pinot Noirs
52
What is the Côte de Beaune best known for?
The best Chardonnays in Burgundy
53
Does the Côte de Beaune only produce Chardonnay?
No, it can also produce reds in a fruitier style than those of Côte de Nuits
54
How many of Burgundy's red Grand Crus are produced in the Côtes de Nuits?
All but one
55
How many of Burgundy's white Grand Crus are in the Côte de Beaune?
All but one
56
List the key villages of Côtes de Nuit, running from north to south with their key grands crus sites
Gevrey-Chambertin (Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze)
Vougeot (Clos de Vougeot)
Vosne-Romanée (Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, La Romanée)
Nuits Saint-Georges
57
List the key villages of the Côtes-de-Beaune in order from north to south, with their Grands Crus
```
Aloxe-Corton (Corton, Corton-Charlemagne)
Beaune
Pommard
Volnay
Meursault
Puligny-Montrachet (Montrachet)
Chassagne-Montrachet (Montrachet)
```
58
What colour of wines do the key villages of Côtes de Beaune produce?
Both (all except for Pommard and Volnay)
59
What are the three Côtes de Beaune villages with the highest reputation?
Meursault
Puligny-Montrachet
Chassagne-Montrachet
60
What can qualify for Côtes de Nuits-Villages?
A red or a white wine
| It can be from any village that doesn't qualify as a more famous village appellation
61
What can qualify as a Côte de Beaune Villages?
It must be red
| It can come from any one or several village appellations in Côte de Beaune (with some exceptions)
62
Which regional appellations are to the west and at higher altitudes than the main strip of vineyards? Describe them
Bourgogne Hauts Côtes de Nuits
Bourgogne Hauts Côtes de Beaune
Their higher altitudes and greater exposure to wind gives them a cooler climate and wines with less body and concentration
63
Where is the Côte Challonaise?
To the south of the Côte d'Or
64
What are the main grapes of the Côte Challonaise?
Chardonnay
| Pinot Noir
65
Due to the...of the vineyards in the Côte Challonaise, harvest is...and...is less reliable
Later
| Ripening
66
Why are wines of the Côte Challonaise lighter and earlier to mature?
Less vineyards tend to have an easterly aspect
67
What are the four village appellations of the Côte Challonaise?
Rully
Mercurey
Givry
Montagny
68
Describe wines of Rully
More wines are white than red
| An important centre for sparkling production
69
Describe the wines of Mercurey
Red wines enjoy the highest reputation of the Challonaise
70
Describe Givry and its wines
High reputation red wines
| Smallest appellation of Challonaise
71
Describe the wines of Montagny
These are only white
72
Describe the crus of the Challonaise
All of the communes have premier cru vineyards, but no grands crus
73
What is the regional appellation for the Côte Challonaise?
Bourgogne Côte Challonaise
74
What is the most widely planted grape of the Mâconnais?
Chardonnay
75
What is the principal red grape of the Mâconnais?
Gamay (though some Pinot Noir is made)
76
What is the regional appellation for the Mâconnais?
Mâcon
77
What colour is Mâcon?
Red or white
78
Describe the better white Mâcon wines
Fresh apple or citrus fruit
Medium acidity
Medium to full body
Some possible creaminess from MLF
79
Describe red Mâcon
Light and fruity
| Made for early drinking
80
Describe wines labelled Mâcon Villages or Mâcon followed by a village name
More ripeness, body and character than Mâcon
81
Which of the Mâcon Village wines has built up the biggest following?
Lugny
82
Which are the two most famous village appellations in The Mâconnais?
Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran
83
Describe the wines of the village appellations in the Mâconnais
Ripe notes of tropical and stone fruits
| Most matured for a time in barrel to enhance texture and add flavour
84
Where are the grapes of the best wines of Mâconnais's best village appellations often planted?
On the limestone slopes of the Roche de Solutré with east and southeast exposures
85
What is unique about the shape of the vineyards on the Roche de Solutré that is good for the wines? What effect does it have on the wines?
The slopes are amphitheatre-like and act as natural sun traps
Produces some of the richest and ripest Chardonnays in Burgundy
86
How are the 'Solutré' wines of the Mâconnais often vinified?
In oak, creating toasty flavours
87
What is the hierarchy of Burgundy appellations based on?
The quality of the vineyard sites
88
What is the lowest rank in the burgundy appellation hierarchy?
Regional appellations:
Bourgogne Rouge
Bourgogne Blanc
89
Where do Burgundy's regional wines come from?
Vineyards that do not have the right to a superior appellation
Regions which have been declassified from a superior appellation
90
Why may a Burgundy region be declassified?
Excessive yields
| A quality minded producer may want to preserve the prestige of an appellation by not including lower-quality wines
91
What grapes usually make up Bourgogne Rouge and Bourgogne Blanc?
Pinot Noir
| Chardonnay
92
Name Burgundy's regional appellations which cover a slightly more restricted area
```
Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits
Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune
Bourgogne Côte Challonaise
Mâcon
Mâcon Villages
```
93
What colour wines are from Mâcon?
Red and white
94
What colour wines are from Mâcon Villages?
White only
95
What is the next highest rank after regional appellations in Burgundy?
Commune appellations
96
Give two examples of commune appellations in Burgundy
Chablis
| Gevrey-Chambertin
97
What proportion of production in Burgundy do commune appellations account for?
About a third
98
What else may appear on a Burgundy commune wine other than the commune name? Why?
Vineyard name
| If the wine comes from a single vineyard and the vineyard is not a Cru
99
What term is sometimes used in Burgundy instead of commune?
Village
100
What are the appellations in Burgundy above commune?
Premier Cru
| Grand Cru
101
What are Cru vineyards?
Vineyards that have consistently made high-quality wines
102
What is a monopole?
A vineyard which belongs to just one owner
103
How are vineyards organised in Burgundy?
They are divided between a number of different owners, each owning a different parcel of vines
104
How many premiers crus are spread between Chablis, the Côte d'Or and the Challonaise?
More than 600
105
What fraction do the the premiers crus of northern Burgundy provide of Burgundy's total production?
A tenth
106
What may also appear on a premier cru label (other than premier cru)?
The name of the vineyard
| If the wine comes from a single vineyard
107
When may there be no vineyard name on the label of a Burgundy premier cru vineyard?
If the wine is a blend of wines from various premier cru vineyards within a village
108
What is the very top of the Burgundy appellation hierarchy?
Grand Cru
109
What is the percentage of total production of Burgundy's grand cru vineyards?
Little more than 1%
110
How many grand cru vineyards are there in Burgundy? Where are they?
33
| Côte d'Or and Chablis
111
How can the grand cru wines of Burgundy be recognised?
| What else must appear?
Only the vineyard appears on the label
| 'Grand Cru'
