Cote de Nuits Flashcards
What is it about Marsannay’s microclimate and soils that could be attributed to its lack of premier crus?
Soils: classic Burgundian clay-limestone, but with a washout of silt, gravel, and clays that have run off the Ouche River that flows into Dijon
Climate: its too cold! A massive combe opens up right over Marsannay, spilling cold air
Marsannay’s post-WW1 fame was built on pinot noir rose: name 3 producers bottling rose in Marsannay today?
Regis Bouvier
Bruno Clair
Explain as you might to a guest: Why are wines from Marsannay and Fixin worth paying attention to? What’s the difference between the two and which should I buy?
As Burgundy has priced itself out of the everyday, wines from Marsannay or Fixin are one way to scratch that Burgundy itch without spending a fortune. A good wine will still run $30 to $50 retail. Between new talent and higher focus on quality, there is some wonderful options to be enjoyed.
Explain as you might to a guest: What’s the difference between Marsannay and Fixin?
Marsannay can be counted on for wines expressive of red berries accompanied by floral and stony notes. Rarely substantial but often quite pithy and satisfying. They may not be profound or deep and complex, but they are juicy and satisfying for the every day.
Fixin wines are typically a bit more wild and savory without a layer of fruit flesh to soften the wine, leaving them a bit lean and bony at times with just acid and tannin exposed. They may not lend as much immediate pleasure but they do more likely have the stuffing to age.
What are the 9 grand crus of Gevrey-Chambertin?
- Chambertin
- Clos de Beze
- Charmes-Chambertin
- Mazoyeres-Chambertin
- Chapelle-Chambertin
- Griotte-Chambertin
- Latricieres-Chambertin
- Mazis-Chambertin
- Ruchottes-Chambertin
The Combe Lavaux has a direct influence on which village and vineyards?
Gevrey-Chambertin
What 3 overperforming premier crus lie in the mouth of the Combe Lavaux? What commune are these within?
Gevrey-Chambertin
- Clos St-Jacques
- Lavaux St-Jacques
- Combe de Laval
Where is the Combe Grisard positioned and what ‘would-be Grand cru’ premier cru vineyard lies in its wake? What are this vineyard’s supposed shortcomings?
Between Morey-St-Denis and Gevrey-Chambertin
Aux Combottes: its cooler than the Grand Crus it lies alongside and is exposed to more wind; heavier soils lie here with poorer drainage. Does well in warm, dry years. Lignier and Dujac are proponents of this vineyard.
Describe ‘classical’ Gevrey-Chambertin?
Darker in color, even a bit more purple, with flavors veering down the dark fruit spectrum with deep savory flavors and spice. The wines can often have a gaminess. Gevrey’s structure is a defining characteristic: the wines are dense, tight and tannic. More concentration, good acidity, and power.
What are Morey-St-Denis’ 5 Grand Crus?
Clos St-Denis Clos de la Roche Clos de Tart Clos de Lambrays Bonnes Mares
Describe ‘classical’ Morey-St-Denis?
Situated between Chambolle and Gevrey in location as well as style - elegant, but not so much as Chambolle. Structured, but not quite so like Gevrey.
What are Chambolle Musigny’s two Grand Crus? What is the top premier cru and name 4 other strong premier crus.
- Bonnes Mares
- Musigny
Les Amoureuses
Other super seconds: Les Fuees, Les Gruenchers, Les Charmes, La Combe d’Orveau
What Combe influences Chambolle-Musigny?
Combe de Chambolle-Musigny
Describe the classic taste of Chambolle-Musigny?
Considered to be the epitome of light, ethereal pinot noir. Fredy Mugnier shows the extreme side of its lightness - with wines that barely look like more than a dark rose. Roumier is on the opposite end with darker, powerful, tannic wines that still show Chambolle suppleness.
Explain the historical significance of Clos de Vougeot?
Founded in 1100 by Cistercian monks.
Explain the size and ownership qualms of Clos de Vougeot.
The vineyard is around 50ha, or 123 acres with 80 different owners. It is the largest Grand Cru in the Cote de Nuits. The vineyard reaches from high up the slope all the way down to touch the highway with dramatic changes across the vineyard - from the privileged aspect to the mud by the road. The vineyard literally occupies more than 80% of Vougeot’s land as a commune.
Name Vosne-Romanee’s Grand Crus, including those in Flagey-Echezeaux.
La Tache Richebourg Romanee-Conti Romanee-St-Vivant La Romanee Echezeaux Grand Echezeaux La Grande Rue
Name 6 of Vosne-Romanee’s all star premier crus.
- Malconsorts
- Gaudichots
- Cros Parantoux
- Suchots
- Beaux Monts
- Petit Monts
What is the name of the combe above Vosne-Romanee ?
Combe de Concoeur
How many premier crus does Nuits-St-Georges have?
27
Explain Nuits-St-Georges’ two distinct styles of wine.
There’s the north end bordering Vosne-Romanee: limestone and marl underneath a surface of smaller pebbles. The wines possess clear shades of Vosne. Boudots and Chaignots are premier crus to look for.
South of the village: Vaucrains, Les Saint-George, where NSG borders on Premaux shows a heavier, craggier topography with wines that correspond in style
What 5 communes have the right to label their wines under Cote de Nuits-Villages AOP? Which of these are allowed to use its own name on the label?
Fixin - the only commune that retains the right to use its own name on the label Brochon Corgoloin Comblanchien Premaux-Prissey
When and why was pinot noir first planted in Marsannay?
Gamay dominated Marsannay until the early 1900s when Joseph Clair of the former Clair-Dau estate planted pinot noir with intent to create a rose. Roses were the rage at the time, but none came from Burgundy.
What villages are authorized to bottle as Marsannay AOP?
Marsannay-la-Cote
Chenove
Couchey
What village separates Fixin from Gevrey-Chambertin?
Brochon
Where is Domaine de la Cras located and why is this property unique?
Plombieres-les-Dijon. Previously owned by Jean Dubois, the city of Dijon purchased this 160ha property in 2013 and offered it to an aspiring winemaker with no family vineyards of their own under the condition that the property be farmed organically and that it be open to educational visits. Marc Soyard was chosen - he pays a yearly ‘rent’ of 2000 bottles a year to the city. The official appellation is Bourgogne, but Marc Soyard is the sole producer allowed to use the Coteaux de Dijon appellation.
Where is the Bourgogne Montrecul designation and what styles of wine does this cover?
Montrecul is a lieux-dit of Dijon. White, Rose, and Red can all be made here. Regis Bouvier of Marsannay is known for making a bottling of this lieux-dit. Montrecul means ‘steep slope’ - the hill descends at a grade of 13% into the city.
