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WSET 3 (2nd Edition) > Chap 15: Burgundy > Flashcards

Chap 15: 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

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2
Q

What negative effects can rain have specifically in Burgundy?

A

Frequently disrupts flowering in early summer and harvest later in the year

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3
Q

Which Burgundy grape is particularly susceptible to grey rot?

A

Pinot Noir

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4
Q

What is the climatic hazard particular to the Chablis area of Burgundy?

A

Spring frosts

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5
Q

How late can spring frosts appear in Chablis?

A

May

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6
Q

Other than frosts, what else can cause a large problem in Burgundy?

A

localized summer hail storms which can often destroy considerable portions of a grower’s crop

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7
Q

Where are the more basic, village level vineyards usually located in Burgundy?

A

On flat sites or at the bottom of slopes

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8
Q

Where are premier or grand cru vineyards of Burgundy often found?

A

Mid-slope

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9
Q

Name a beneficial climatic feature of a vineyard site being mid-slope rather than lower

A

They are less prone to frost than those on flat land

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10
Q

What additional locational feature do the very best Burgundy vineyards share?

A

South or east facing exposure

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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

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12
Q

What is the soil type in Burgundy?

A

The soils are very varied

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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, means the precise soil type can change significantly over small areas

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14
Q

What is the reason linked to subtle changes in wine-style in Burgundy?

A

Variation in soil type

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15
Q

What tends to be the difference(s) between the soil on the hillsides vs. on flat land?

A

Soils on hillsides tend to be shallower with better drainage vs. soil on flat land tends to be deeper and more fertile

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16
Q

What are the grapes used in Burgundy wine production?

A

Primarily: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Other grape varieties include: Aligoté & Gamay

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17
Q

What proportion of total vineyard area does Pinot Noir account for in Burgundy?

A

Over a third

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18
Q

Where are the most important Pinot Noir plantings in Burgundy?

A

Côte d’Or

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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

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20
Q

Which practice has gradually become more popular in Burgundian vinification of Pinot Noir?

A

The use of whole bunches

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21
Q

How long is Pinot Noir typically aged in Burgundy’s best wines?

A

16 to 18 months in barrel

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22
Q

In burgundy, what are the better Pinot Noirs generally aged in?

A

A portion is generally aged in new oak for a period (though this does depend on the producer)

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23
Q

What proportion of vineyard area in Burgundy does Chardonnay usually account for?

A

Nearly half

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24
Q

Describe the character of Chardonnay in Burgundy in Chablis vs. Cote d’Or vs. Macon

A

Steely and high acid in Chablis
Complex and expressive in Côte d’Or
Full bodied and riper in Mâcon

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25
Q

Where was the modern style of premium Chardonnay production founded?

A

Burgundy

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26
Q

What are the four modern techniques used in Chardonnay production in Burgundy that now contribute to the world’s most famous Chardonnays?

A

Barrel fermentation
Barrel ageing (6-9 months typically)
MLF
Using lees during maturation

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27
Q

What is still in high debate when it comes to Burgundian vinification of Chardonnay?

A

How much new oak ageing is appropriate

The appropriate amount of toasting for barrels

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28
Q

How long can the best Burgundian Chardonnay age for?

A

Ten years or more

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29
Q

What problem was discovered with Burgundian Chardonnays 15 years ago?

A

They were not ageing as expected

Some were showing signs of premature oxidation

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30
Q

What is the cause of the premature oxidation problem in Burgundy Chardonnays?

A

It has not been identified definitively

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31
Q

Describe the flavour profile of Aligoté

A

White grape producing neutral wines with high acidity

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32
Q

What kinds of wines can Aligoté produce?

A

Usually neutral, but can produce high quality when grown on sites where it can ripen fully

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33
Q

Why does Aligoté rarely produce quality wines in Burgundy?

A

Appropriate sites are usually taken by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

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34
Q

Describe Gamay in Burgundy

A

Early drinking red
Ripe berry fruit
Low tannins

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35
Q

What sort of appellations can Gamay be applied to?

A

Some regional, but nothing higher

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36
Q

Where is Chablis in Burgundy?

A

In the valley of the river Serein (northernmost Burgundy)

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37
Q

On what sort of aspect is the best Chablis usually planted?

A

South-facing

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38
Q

Some of the lesser Chablis vineyards are known as…

A

Petit Chablis

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39
Q

What is the major climatic problem in Chablis?

A

Spring frosts

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40
Q

How is Spring frost protected against in Chablis?

A

With sprinklers and heaters are used as protective measures

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41
Q

Which varietals are permitted in Chablis?

A

Only Chardonnay

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42
Q

Describe the aspect of basic, village level Chablis

A

Grown on north-facing slopes and flatter land

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43
Q

Describe the aspect of premier cru and grand cru sites in Chablis

A

South facing hillsides

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44
Q

Describe the flavours of Petit Chablis and Chablis vs. Premium Cru and Grand Cru Chablis

A

Petit Chablis & Chablis- can be very austere with green fruit and high acidity and better examples show riper fruit flavours.

Premier & Grand Cru - Riper, more concentrated fruit (citrus rather than green apple), More body, High acidity

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45
Q

Is Chablis oak aged?

A

Some Cru producers age Chablis in old oak

46
Q

What is the effect of ageing Chablis in old oak?

A

It gives a rounder texture and subtle flavours

47
Q

How may pure fruit flavours be retained in Chablis?

A

By fermenting and storing wines in stainless steel or concrete

48
Q

Which hill/mountain range is nearby to the Côte d’Or? Where is it?

A

The Massif Central

Along the western limit

49
Q

What does the Massif Central provide in Burgundy?

A

Favourable east and southeast facing hillside locations

50
Q

What is the Côte de Nuits best known for?

A

Many of the fullest-bodied, longest-lived Pinot Noirs

51
Q

What is the Côte de Beaune best known for?

A

The best Chardonnays in Burgundy

52
Q

Does the Côte de Beaune only produce Chardonnay?

A

No, it can also produce reds in a fruitier style than those of Côte de Nuits

53
Q

How many of Burgundy’s red Grand Crus are produced in the Côtes de Nuits?

A

All but one

54
Q

How many of Burgundy’s white Grand Crus are in the Côte de Beaune?

A

All but one

55
Q

List the key villages of Côtes de Nuit, running from north to south with their key grands crus sites

A

Gevrey-Chambertin (Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze)
Vougeot (Clos de Vougeot)
Vosne-Romanée (Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, La Romanée)
Nuits Saint-Georges

56
Q

List the key villages of the Côtes-de-Beaune in order from north to south, with their Grands Crus

A 
Aloxe-Corton (Corton, Corton-Charlemagne)
Beaune
Pommard
Volnay
Meursault
Puligny-Montrachet (Montrachet)
Chassagne-Montrachet (Montrachet)
57
Q

What colour of wines do the key villages of Côtes de Beaune produce?

A

Both (all except for Pommard and Volnay)

58
Q

What are the three Côtes de Beaune villages with the highest reputation?

A

Meursault
Puligny-Montrachet
Chassagne-Montrachet

59
Q

What can qualify for Côtes de Nuits-Villages?

A

A red or a white wine

It can be from any village that doesn’t qualify as a more famous village appellation

60
Q

What can qualify as a Côte de Beaune Villages?

A

It must be red

It can come from any one or several village appellations in Côte de Beaune (with some exceptions)

61
Q

What can qualify as a Bourgogne Côte d’Or?

A

A red or white produced from any of the villages in the Cote d’Or

This is a recently introduced AOP

62
Q

Which regional appellations are to the west and at higher altitudes than the main strip of vineyards? Descirbe:
* The Climate
* The climatic influence(s) & the resulting effect on the wine

A

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
Q

Where is the Côte Challonaise?

A

To the south of the Côte d’Or

64
Q

What are the main grapes of the Côte Challonaise?

A

Chardonnay & Piniot Noir

65
Q

What are the climatic influences in the Côte Challonaise?
What impact does this have on the harvest?
What impact does it have on the final wine?

A

Has higher altitude so the harvest is later and ripening is less reliable.
Also while they are on hillsides, their aspect is less consistently to the east. As a result, the wines are lighter and tend to mature easier–> they are seen as less prestigious than those of the Cote d’Or.

66
Q

What are the four village appellations of the Côte Challonaise?

A

Rully
Mercurey
Givry
Montagny

67
Q

Describe wines of Rully

A

More wines are white than red

An important centre for sparkling production

68
Q

Describe the wines of Mercurey

A

Red wines enjoy the highest reputation of the Challonaise

69
Q

Describe Givry and its wines

A

High reputation red wines

Smallest appellation of Challonaise

70
Q

Describe the wines of Montagny

A

These are only white

71
Q

Describe the crus of the Challonaise

A

All of the communes have premier cru vineyards, but no grands crus

72
Q

What is the regional appellation for the Côte Challonaise? What are the requirements?

A

Bourgogne Côte Challonaise - Pinot Noir for Red and Chardonnay for White, but can be from anywhere in the region.

73
Q

What is the most widely planted grape of the Mâconnais?

A

Chardonnay

74
Q

What is the principal red grape of the Mâconnais?

A

Gamay (though some Pinot Noir is made)

75
Q

What is the regional appellation for the Mâconnais?

A

Mâcon

76
Q

What color can Mâcon AOC be?

A

Red or white

77
Q

Describe the better white Mâcon wines

A

Fresh apple or citrus fruit
Medium acidity
Medium to full body
Some possible creaminess from MLF

78
Q

Describe red Mâcon

A

Light and fruity

Made for early drinking

79
Q

Describe wines labelled Mâcon Villages or Mâcon followed by a village name

A

More ripeness, body and character than Mâcon

80
Q

Which of the Mâcon Village wines has built up the biggest following?

A

Lugny

81
Q

Which are the two most famous village appellations in The Mâconnais?

A

Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran

82
Q

Describe the wines of the village appellations in the Mâconnais

A

Ripe notes of tropical and stone fruits

Most matured for a time in barrel to enhance texture and add flavour

83
Q

Where are the grapes of the best wines of Mâconnais’s best village appellations often planted?

A

On the limestone slopes of the Roche de Solutré with east and southeast exposures

84
Q

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?

A

The slopes are amphitheatre-like and act as natural sun traps
Produces some of the richest and ripest Chardonnays in Burgundy

85
Q

How are the ‘Solutré’ wines of the Mâconnais often vinified?

A

In oak, creating toasty flavours

86
Q

What is the hierarchy of Burgundy appellations based on?

A

The quality of the vineyard sites

87
Q

What is the lowest rank in the burgundy appellation hierarchy?

A

Regional appellations:
Bourgogne Rouge
Bourgogne Blanc

88
Q

Where do Burgundy’s regional wines come from?

A

Vineyards that do not have the right to a superior appellation
Regions which have been declassified from a superior appellation

89
Q

Why may a Burgundy region be declassified?

A

Excessive yields

A quality minded producer may want to preserve the prestige of an appellation by not including lower-quality wines

90
Q

What grapes usually make up Bourgogne Rouge and Bourgogne Blanc?

A

Pinot Noir

Chardonnay

91
Q

Name Burgundy’s regional appellations which cover a slightly more restricted area

A 
Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits
Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune
Bourgogne Côte Challonaise
Mâcon
Mâcon Villages
92
Q

What colour wines are from Mâcon?

A

Red and white

93
Q

What colour wines are from Mâcon Villages?

A

White only

94
Q

What is the next highest rank after regional appellations in Burgundy?

A

Commune appellations

95
Q

Give two examples of commune appellations in Burgundy

A

Chablis

Gevrey-Chambertin

96
Q

What proportion of production in Burgundy do commune appellations account for?

A

About a third

97
Q

What else may appear on a Burgundy commune wine other than the commune name? Why?

A

Vineyard name

If the wine comes from a single vineyard and the vineyard is not a Cru

98
Q

What term is sometimes used in Burgundy instead of commune?

A

Village

99
Q

What are the appellations in Burgundy above commune?

A

Premier Cru

Grand Cru

100
Q

What are Cru vineyards?

A

Vineyards that have consistently made high-quality wines

101
Q

What is a monopole?

A

A vineyard which belongs to just one owner

102
Q

How are vineyards organised in Burgundy?

A

They are divided between a number of different owners, each owning a different parcel of vines

103
Q

How many premiers crus are spread between Chablis, the Côte d’Or and the Challonaise?

A

More than 600

104
Q

What fraction do the the premiers crus of northern Burgundy provide of Burgundy’s total production?

A

A tenth

105
Q

What may also appear on a premier cru label (other than premier cru)?

A

The name of the vineyard

If the wine comes from a single vineyard

106
Q

When may there be no vineyard name on the label of a Burgundy premier cru vineyard?

A

If the wine is a blend of wines from various premier cru vineyards within a village

107
Q

What is the very top of the Burgundy appellation hierarchy?

A

Grand Cru

108
Q

What is the percentage of total production of Burgundy’s grand cru vineyards?

A

Little more than 1%

109
Q

How many grand cru vineyards are there in Burgundy? Where are they?

A

33

Côte d’Or and Chablis

110
Q

How can the grand cru wines of Burgundy be recognised?

What else must appear?

A

Only the vineyard appears on the label

‘Grand Cru’

WSET 3 (2nd Edition) (13 decks)

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