C15 - Burgundy /checked Flashcards
How is the climate of Burgundy best described?
2 areas
- Cool continental in the north around Chablis
2. Moderate continental further south
What negative effects can rain have specifically in Burgundy? (2 separate times of year)
- Disrupts flowering in early summer
2. Disrupt harvest later in the year
Which Burgundy grape is particularly susceptible to GREY ROT ?
Pinot Noir
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?
(2 location characteristics)
- Mid-slope
2. South or east facing exposure
Name a beneficial climatic feature of a vineyard site being mid-slope rather than lower
They are less prone to frost
Other than light exposure, why is it beneficial for the best vineyards to be south or east facing (in the Burgundy)?
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?
Hillsides versus flat valley land
Soil on hillsides are shallower and better drained
Soil on flat land is deeper and more fertile
What are the 4 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
Describe Burgundian Pinot Noir
primary flavours, tertiary flavours, acidity, tannin
Red fruit flavours in youth
Evolve into flavours of earth, game and mushroom
High acidity
Low to medium tannin
Which wine making practice has gradually become more popular in Burgundian vinification of Pinot Noir?
The use of whole bunches
How long is Pinot Noir typically barrel aged in Burgundy’s best wines?
16 to 18 months in barrel
What proportion of vineyard area in Burgundy does Chardonnay usually account for?
Nearly half
Describe the character of Chardonnay in Burgundy
3 areas, 2 characteristics per area
- Chablis: Steely and high acid
- Côte d’Or: Complex and expressive
- Mâcon: Full bodied and riper
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
- Lees stirring
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
flavour, acidity
White grape producing neutral wines with high acidity
What kinds of wines can Aligoté produce?
flavour
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
flavour, tannin
Early drinking red
Ripe berry fruit
Low tannins
What sort of appellations can Gamay be applied to?
Some regional, but nothing higher
Only Pinot Noir is allowed for village level and above
Where is Chablis in Burgundy?
What river runs through it?
Northernmost Burgundy
In the valley of the river SEREIN
What are the lesser Chablis vineyards classified as?
Petit Chablis
What is the major climatic problem in Chablis?
Spring frosts (up to May)
How is Spring frost protected against in Chablis? (2)
- Sprinklers
2. Heaters
What grape varieties are permitted in Chablis?
One: Chardonnay
Describe the aspect of basic, village level Chablis vineyards
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
flavour, acidity
They can be very austere with green fruit and high acidity
Better examples show riper fruit flavours
Describe the flavours of Cru Chablis
flavour, body, acidity
Riper, more concentrated fruit (citrus rather than green apple)
More body
High acidity
Is Chablis oak aged?
SOME Cru producers age Chablis in OLD OAK
What is the effect of ageing Chablis in old oak? (2)
body, flavours
It gives a rounder texture and subtle flavours
How may pure fruit flavours be retained in Chablis?
By fermenting and storing wines in stainless steel or concrete
Which hill/mountain range is nearby to the Côte d’Or? Where is it?
The MASSIF CENTRAL
Along the western limit
What does the Massif Central provide in Burgundy?
Favourable EAST and SOUTHEAST facing hillside locations
What is the Côte de Nuits best known for?
Many of the fullest-bodied, longest-lived PINOT NOIR
What is the Côte de Beaune best known for?
The best CHARDONNAY in Burgundy
Does the Côte de Beaune only produce Chardonnay?
No, it can also produce reds in a fruitier style than those of Côte de Nuits
How many of Burgundy’s red Grand Crus are produced in the Côtes de Nuits?
All but one
How many of Burgundy’s white Grand Crus are in the Côte de Beaune?
All but one
List the key villages of Côtes de Nuit, running from north to south with their key grands crus sites (4)
- Gevrey-Chambertin (Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze)
- Vougeot (Clos de Vougeot)
- Vosne-Romanée (Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, La Romanée)
- Nuits Saint-Georges
List the key villages of the Côtes-de-Beaune in order from north to south, with their Grands Crus (6)
- Aloxe-Corton (Corton, Corton-Charlemagne)
- Beaune
- Pommard
- Volnay
- Meursault
- Puligny-Montrachet (Montrachet)
- Chassagne-Montrachet (Montrachet)
What colour of wines do the key villages of Côtes de Beaune produce?
Both (all except for Pommard and Volnay)
What can qualify for Côtes de Nuits-Villages?
colour, what village
RED or WHITE wine
It can be from any village that doesn’t qualify as a more famous village appellation
What can qualify as a Côte de Beaune Villages?
colour, what village
RED wine only
It can come from any one or several village appellations in Côte de Beaune (with some exceptions)
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 LESS CONCENTRATION
Where is the Côte Challonaise?
To the south of the Côte d’Or
What are the 2 main grapes of the Côte Challonaise?
- Chardonnay
2. Pinot Noir
Due to the X of the vineyards in the Côte Challonaise, harvest is Y and the Z is less reliable
X = Higher altitude Y = Later Z = Ripening
What are the four village appellations of the Côte Challonaise?
- Rully
- Mercurey
- Givry
- Montagny
Describe wines of Rully
More wines are white than red
Also an important centre for sparkling production
Describe the wines of Mercurey
Red wines enjoy the highest reputation of the Challonaise
Describe Givry and its wines
High reputation red wines
Smallest appellation of Challonaise
Describe the wines of Montagny
These are only white
Describe the crus of the Challonaise
All of the communes have premier cru vineyards, but no grands crus
What is the regional appellation for the Côte Challonaise?
Bourgogne Côte Challonaise
What is the principal red grape of the Mâconnais?
Gamay (though some Pinot Noir is made)
What colour is Mâcon?
Red or white
Describe the better white Mâcon wines
flavour/aroma, acidity, body, secondary flavour
Fresh apple or citrus fruit
Medium acidity
Medium to full body
Some possible creaminess from MLF
Describe red Mâcon
Light and fruity
Made for early drinking
Describe wines labelled Mâcon Villages or Mâcon followed by a village name
ripeness, body
More ripeness, body and character than Mâcon
Which of the Mâcon Village wines has built up the biggest following?
Lugny
Which are the 2 most famous village appellations in The Mâconnais?
- Pouilly-Fuissé
2. Saint-Véran
Describe the wines of the village appellations in the Mâconnais
flavour, maturation
Ripe notes of tropical and stone fruits
Most matured for a time in barrel to enhance texture and add flavour
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
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
What is the lowest rank in the burgundy appellation hierarchy?
Regional appellations:
- Bourgogne Rouge
- Bourgogne Blanc
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
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
What colour wines are from Mâcon?
Red and white
What colour wines are from Mâcon Villages?
White only
What is the next highest rank after regional appellations in Burgundy?
Commune appellations
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
What term is sometimes used in Burgundy instead of commune?
Village
What are the 2 appellations in Burgundy above commune?
- Premier Cru
2. Grand Cru
What are Cru vineyards?
Vineyards that have consistently made high-quality wines
What is a monopole?
An area entitled to a certain name (e.g. grand cru vineyard or AOC) which belongs to just one owner
It is rare for only one winery to produce all the wine from an area entitled to a certain name.
How many premiers crus are spread between Chablis, the Côte d’Or and the Challonaise?
More than 600
What fraction do the the premiers crus of northern Burgundy provide of Burgundy’s total production?
A tenth
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
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
What is the very top of the Burgundy appellation hierarchy?
Grand Cru
What is the percentage of total production of Burgundy’s grand cru vineyards?
Little more than 1%
How many grand cru vineyards are there in Burgundy? Where are they?
33
Côte d’Or and Chablis
How can the grand cru wines of Burgundy be recognised?
What else must appear?
Only the vineyard appears on the label
‘Grand Cru’
