Côte d'Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais Flashcards
Where is the Côte d’Or situated?
It begins around Dijon, 500 km and runs south down the Saône river valley to Santenay. There are a variety of aspects and soil types.
What is the climate in the Côte d’Or?
Continental with relatively short, warm summers and cool winters.
Why are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir suitable to the climate of the Côte d’Or?
They ripen early and are therefore able to ripen fully in the short summers.
What helps to moderate the climate of the Côte d’Or?
The Morvan hills to the west of the region.
What is the average rainfall in the Côte d’Or?
700 mm
What is the climate of Mâconnais in comparison to the Côte d’Or?
The Mâconnais is typically drier and hotter than the Côte d’Or.
In the Côte d’Or, what is the weather typically like in Autumn?
Dry, though rain at harvest can be a problem
Ripening what parts of the grape is a prioirty for Pinot Noir growers?
The skins and the pips
Why are vineyard site and vintage so important for Côte d’Or growers?
The vineyards are located so far in the north that ripening depends greatly on where the grapes are facing and the weather they receive
Is there low or high vintage variability in Côte d’Or?
High vintage variability
What risks to vine growth in the Côte d’Or exist in the growing season? Why?
Spring frosts due to the early budding nature of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Hail (which can occur as late as may) can damage the vine or the berries, promoting rot
Rain during budburst can cause uneven flowering
How has climate change affected the risk of spring frosts in the Côte d’Or?
The risk has been exacerbated as warmer weather causes vines to begin growing earlier, making the vines more vulnerable to cold weather
True or False
Anti-hail netting is allowed in the Côte d’Or.
True. Limited use of netting has been allowed since June, 2018.
What are the top methods of preventing hail damage to vines in the Côte d’Or?
Anti-hail netting
Seeding clouds with silver iodide to cause precipitation away from the vineyards
What was the argument in the past against the use of anti-hail nets in the Côte d’Or?
They look like an inauthentic part of the landscape
They cause too much shading
Which area and villages of the Côte d’Or were heavily impacted by hail in 2012 and 2015?
The Côte de Beaune, especially Volnay and Pommard
Is drought stress a concern for growers in Burgundy? Why or why not?
Yes. In hot, dry vintages, the berries are at risk of shriveling. Irrigation is not permitted in Burgundy.
What soils in Burgundy are best able to cope with drier vintages?
Soils with higher clay content
What are the most critical factors determining style and quality in the Côte d’Or?
Aspect and Elevation
What is the elevation above sea level of Burgundy’s vineyards?
200-400 meters asl
What is the general orientation of the Côte d’Or? Does it change?
The Côte d’Or is a series of hills running North to South with a majority of vineyards facing East.
There are some side valleys with a more East to West direction, producing southeastern or southerly aspects
Where on a slope in Burgundy do you generally find the best vineyards? Why?
In the middle of the slope where they receive better sunlight interception, frost protection, and well-draining shallow soils.
In Burgundy, why are vineyards on the top of a slope less desirable than one in the middle of a slope?
The soils are very thin and he grapes will be exposed to cooling winds
In Burgundy, why are vineyards at the bottom of a slope less desirable than vineyards in the middle of a slope? How might these vineyards be planted or picked?
The bottom of a slope typically has deeper soil and cooler temperatures. They may be planted with Aligoté or picked earlier for the production of Crémant de Bourgogne.
Are the aspects found in the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais less consistent, as consistent, or more consistent than those of the Côte d’Or?
Less consistent
Where are the finest wine producing sites in the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais?
Côte Chalonnaise: Bouzeron and Rully
Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé
What is the general soil type of the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
Limestone and clay, with proportions varying among vineyards
What is the general soil type of the Côtes de Nuits?
Predominantly limestone with clay in the mixture
What is the general soil type of the Côtes de Beaune?
More clay than the Côtes de Nuits with deeper soils
What is the general soil type of the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais?
Varied with a range of limestone and clays
How does the depth of soil in the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais vary? What effect does this have on viticulture?
It varies significantly, in part to the movement of top soil on slopes due to erosion. There are thinner soils at higher elevations and very deep soils at the bottom of slopes. It becomes difficult for vines to grow on the top of hills and vines at the bottom can be too vigorous.
Erosion on the slopes can also be a problem, even in the walled Clos de Vougeot.
Where can highly regarded Aligoté be found today?
Bouzeron in the Côte Chalonnaise
What are the popular training systems of the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais? What are their advantages and disadvantages?
Cordon de Royat naturally lowers yiels but can harbor disease in it’s high proportion of old wood
Guyot, a traditional method many growers are returning to due to lower disease rates and vertical shoot positioning
Poussard-Guyot, a softer training method that maintains the vine’s sap route, reducing incidence of trunk diseases. It requires skilled labor
What are the typical planting densities in the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare though some growers have much higher planting densities
In the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais, what choices are available in the vineyards to reduce yield? What are their advantages and disadvantages?
Winter Pruning is a standard practice and sets the stage for the growing season
De-budding can promote good balance in the vine, but can have a significant impact on yield if the vine is damaged or diseased late in the season
Green harvesting can take place after the growers have assessed the season and risks have been averted, but can disrupt the vine’s balance and result in diluted bunches
What are the maximum yields for regional Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais wines?
White: 75 hl/ha
Red: 69 hl/ha
What are the maximum yields for village level Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais wines?
White: 45-47 hl/ha
Red: 40-45 hl/ha
What are the maximum yields for grand cru Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais wines?
Some have yields as low as 40hl/ha for white wines and 35hl/ha for red wines
Is biodynamic and organic vineyard management popular in the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
Yes, it is becoming more popular but the climate makes it a challenge. Further, many plans require a minimum area of implementation and many vineyards are shared, leading to friction on which plans to use.
How are grape moths and grapevine yellows managed in Burgundy?
Grape moths are managed by pheromone capsules
Grapevine yellows is managed by canopy management and spraying
What vine diseases are a major problem in the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais today?
Mildews, grapevine yellows and trunk diseases (especially Esca)
How is the majority of fruit in the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais harvested? What considerations must be given to harvest date?
The majority of fruit is harvested by hand. Picking early may help to avoid storms and retain acidity at the risk of full ripeness. Later harvest dates may assure ripeness while risking rain exposure. Workforce availability is also a concern.
Are acidification and de-acidification permitted in white wine production of the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
Yes, though de-acidification is rarely practiced
Is chaptalization practiced when making white wines in the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
Yes, either to raise the minimum alcohol to its required level or (more often) to produce a desired style. With warmer temperatures and better canopy management it is not as necessary.
What is the maximum enrichment permitted in white wines of the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
+1.5% to +2%
How are white grapes harvested, sorted, and pressed in the Côte d’Or?
Usually hand harvested and sorted on tables to ensure consistent quality in the cool climate. The grapes are pressed immediately as whole bunches to ensure the must drains. Chardonnay is not very aromatic and tannin extraction is undesirable, so there is no maceration.
How are white wine musts in the Côte d’Or clarified?
High quality wines are clarified by sedimentation. The winemaker will decide how much of the solids are left in the wine based on the desirability of the flavors they impart.
Less expensive wines may be clarified by other, quicker methods.
True or False
Fermentation by ambient yeasts is common in the Côte d’Or
True, though the use of ambient yeasts and natural fermentation are more prevalent at higher classification levels where winemakers believe it enhances the expression of terroir and are more likely to closely monitor fermentation
How is fermentation initiated in high-volume regional white wines of the Côte d’Or?
Inoculation by cultured yeast
What is the fermentation and maturation process of inexpensive and mid-priced white Côte d’Or wines?
Fermentation takes place in stainless steel or concrete tanks at moderate temperatures to avoid banana flavors.
Maturation may occur in the same or older barrels.
What is the fermentation and maturation process of more premium priced white Côte d’Or wines?
Fermentation and maturation occurs in barrel for a creamier, more rounded style. Fermentation temperatures can reach 16°-20°C.
Wines are generally aged for 8-12 months in oak on the fine lees
What proportion of new oak is typical in white Côte d’Or wines?
Regional: generally little to none
Village: 20-25%
Premier Cru: 30-35%
Grand Cru: 50% or more (100% not unheard of)
What is the standard size of oak barrel used in white Côte d’Or winemaking? What other barrels are common?
The 228-liter ‘pièce’ is standard, though some producers are using 500-600 liter barrels for subtler oak and oxidative flavors
Do white wines of the Côte d’Or undergo malolactic fermentation? If so, where does it take place?
Generally yes, though the proportion of malo can vary if the desired style is fresher or brighter. It can occur in neutral or oak vessels.
Do white wines in the Côte d’Or undergo batonnage? Why and what effect does this have?
Depending on style, the lees may be stirred once or more to impart a creamy texture and (possibly) reduce reductive flavors.
Are Bourgogne Blanc wines filtered?
Yes, more often than the red wines as cloudiness in these wines are undesirable.