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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 (age potential, flavors, tannin level)

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

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 of Cote D’Or?
AND 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 about aspect?
What impact does this have on the harvest?
What impact does it have on the final wine?
How are they compared to wines from Côte d’Or?

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 earlier–> 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 (color/style produced)

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?

76
Q

What color can Mâcon AOC be?

A

Red or white

77
Q

Describe the better white Mâcon wines
* Flavor
* Acidity
* Body

A
  • Fresh apple or citrus fruit & some possible creaminess from MLF
  • Medium acidity
  • Medium to full body
78
Q

Describe red Mâcon (body, flavor, age potential)

A

Light and fruity

Made for early drinking

79
Q

Describe the differences between wines labelled Mâcon Villages or Mâcon followed by a village name vs Mâcon?

A

More ripeness, body and character than Mâcon

80
Q

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

81
Q

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

A

Pouilly-Fuissé (owning a # of premier cru vineyards) 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

Planted 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, which helps produce 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? What are they usually made from ?

A

Regional appellations:
Bourgogne Rouge
Bourgogne Blanc

Typ. made from Chardonnay and PN

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

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
91
Q

What colour wines are from Mâcon?

A

Red and white

92
Q

What colour wines are from Mâcon Villages?

A

White only

93
Q

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

A

Commune appellations

94
Q

Give two examples of commune appellations in Burgundy

A

Chablis

Gevrey-Chambertin

95
Q

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

A

About a third

96
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

97
Q

What term is sometimes used in Burgundy instead of commune?

98
Q

What are the appellations in Burgundy above commune?

A

Premier Cru

Grand Cru

99
Q

What are Cru vineyards?

A

Vineyards that have consistently made high-quality wines

100
Q

What is a monopole?

A

A vineyard which belongs to just one owner

101
Q

How are vineyards organised in Burgundy?

A

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

102
Q

How many premiers crus are spread across Burgundy?

A

More than 600

103
Q

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

104
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

105
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

106
Q

What is the very top of the Burgundy appellation hierarchy?

107
Q

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

A

Little more than 1%

108
Q

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

A

32

1 in Chablis and the rest in Côte d’Or

109
Q

How must the grand cru wines of Burgundy be labelled?

A

Only the vineyard name appears on the label followed by ‘Grand Cru’

WSET 3 (2nd Edition) (29 decks)

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