C15 - Burgundy - completed 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 hailstorm
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
- Fabulously complex and expressive in Côte d’Or
- Full bodied and riper-fruited 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
- Use of 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 the more profitable 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 variety 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
Describe the flavours of Cru Chablis
- 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?
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 Noirs
What is the Côte de Beaune best known for?
The best Chardonnays 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
- 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
- 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 are the three Côtes de Beaune villages with the highest reputation?
- Meursault
- Puligny-Montrachet
- Chassagne-Montrachet
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
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)
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
Where is the Côte Challonaise?
To the south of the Côte d’Or
What are the main grapes of the Côte Challonaise?
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
Due to the higher altitude of the vineyards in the Côte Challonaise, harvest is ____ and ____is less reliable
- Later
- Ripening
Why are wines of the Côte Challonaise lighter and earlier to mature?
Less vineyards tend to have an easterly aspect
What are the four village appellations of the Côte Challonaise?
- Rully
- Mercurey
- Givry
- Montagny
Describe wines of Rully
- More wines are white than red
- 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
- The 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 most widely planted grape of the Mâconnais?
Chardonnay
What is the principal red grape of the Mâconnais?
Gamay (though some Pinot Noir is still grown)
What is the regional appellation for the Mâconnais?
Mâcon
What colour is Mâcon?
Red or white
Describe the better white Mâcon wines
- 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
More ripeness, body and character than Mâcon
Which of the Mâcon Village wines has built up the biggest following?
Lugny
Which are the two most famous village appellations in The Mâconnais?
Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran
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
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
How are the ‘Solutré’ wines of the Mâconnais often vinified?
In oak, creating toasty flavours
What is the hierarchy of Burgundy appellations based on?
The quality of the vineyard sites
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 grapes usually make up Bourgogne Rouge and Bourgogne Blanc?
- Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay
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
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
Give two examples of commune appellations in Burgundy
- Chablis
- Gevrey-Chambertin
What proportion of production in Burgundy do commune appellations account for?
About a third
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 appellations in Burgundy above commune?
- Premier Cru
- Grand Cru
What are Cru vineyards?
Vineyards that have consistently made high-quality wines
What is a monopole?
A vineyard which belongs to just one owner
How are vineyards organised in Burgundy?
They are divided between a number of different owners, each owning a different parcel of vines
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’
What other grape varieties are being grown in Burgundy other than Pinto Noir and Chardonnay?
- Aligote
- Gamay
Where in Burgundy produces the most expressive, saught-after Chardonnay?
Cote d’Or
How to tell a white wine from Maconnais is excellent value for money?
white wines labelled “Macon Villages” followed by the name of a particular village. e.g. Lugny
