C15 - Burgundy Flashcards
How is the climate of burgundy best described?
Cool continental in the north around Chablis and moderate continental further south
What negative effects can rain have specifically in Burgundy?
Frequently disrupts flowering in early summer and harvest later in the year
Which Burgundy grape is particularly susceptible to grey rot?
Pinot Noir
What is the climatic hazard particular to the Chablis area of Burgundy?
Spring frosts
How late can spring frosts appear in Chablis?
May
Other than frosts, what else can cause a large problem in Burgundy?
Summer hail
Where are the more basic, village level vineyards usually located in Burgundy?
On flat sites or at the bottom of slopes
Where are premier or grand cru vineyards of Burgundy often found?
Mid-slope
Name a beneficial climatic feature of a vineyard site being mid-slope rather than lower
They are less prone to frost
What additional locational feature do the very top Burgundy vineyards share?
South or east facing exposure
Other than light exposure, why is it beneficial for the best vineyards to be south or east facing?
They are sheltered from prevailing westerly winds
What is the soil type in Burgundy?
The soils are very varied
Why is there so much soil variation in Burgundy?
A result of a large number of geological faults combined with gradual erosion
What is the reason linked to subtle changes in wine-style in Burgundy?
Variation in soil type
How does soil quality vary dependant on topography?
Soils on hillsides are shallower and better drained
Soil on flat land is deeper and more fertile
What are the grapes used in Burgundy wine production?
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Aligoté
Gamay
What proportion of total vineyard area does Pinot Noir account for in Burgundy?
Over a third
Where in Burgundy is Pinot Noir grown?
Throughout, but the most important plantings are in the Côte d’Or
What flavours does Burgundian Pinot Noir typically express? Acidity and tannin?
Red fruit flavours in youth
Evolve into flavours of earth, game and mushroom
High acidity
Low to medium tannin
Which practice has gradually become more popular in Burgundian vinification of Pinot Noir?
The use of whole bunches
How long is Pinot Noir typically aged in Burgundy’s best wines?
16 to 18 months in barrel
What are Pinot Noirs generally aged in in Burgundy?
New oak for a period (though this does depend on the producer)
What proportion of vineyard area in Burgundy does Chardonnay usually account for?
Nearly half
Describe the character of Chardonnay in Burgundy
Steely and high acid in Chablis
Complex and expressive in Côte d’Or
Full bodied and riper in Mâcon
Where was the modern style of premium Chardonnay production founded?
Burgundy
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
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
How long can the best Burgundian Chardonnay age for?
Ten years or more
What problem was discovered with Burgundian Chardonnays 15 years ago?
They were not ageing as expected
Some were showing signs of premature oxidation
What is the cause of the premature oxidation problem in Burgundy Chardonnays?
It has not been identified definitively
Describe the flavour profile of Aligoté
White grape producing neutral wines with high acidity
What kinds of wines can Aligoté produce?
Usually neutral, but can produce high quality when grown on sites where it can ripen fully
Why does Aligoté rarely produce quality wines in Burgundy?
Appropriate sites are usually taken by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Describe Gamay in Burgundy
Early drinking red
Ripe berry fruit
Low tannins
What sort of appellations can Gamay be applied to?
Some regional, but nothing higher
Where is Chablis in Burgundy?
In the valley of the river Serein (northernmost Burgundy)
On what sort of aspect is the best Chablis usually planted?
South-facing
Some of the lesser Chablis vineyards are known as…
Petit Chablis
What is the major climatic problem in Chablis?
Spring frosts
How is Spring frost protected against in Chablis?
With sprinklers and heaters
How many grapes are permitted in Chablis?
One (Chardonnay)
Describe the aspect of basic, village level Chablis
Grown on north-facing slopes and flatter land
Describe the aspect of premier cru and grand cru sites in Chablis
South facing hillsides
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