FR_BURGUNDY Flashcards
Red Grapes of Burgundy
2 Major
2 Minor
- Major: Pinot Noir and Gamay
- Minor: Tressot (trey-so) and César (say-sar)
Major/Minor White Grapes of Burgundy
2/3
- Major: Chardonnay and Aligoté
- Minor: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Beurut (Gris) and Sacy (sassy)
3 Wine Styles of Burgandy
- Dry red, white, rosé and sparkling (white and red)
- Dry to semi-dry white, rosé and sparkling
- Late harvest is rare (usually in Mâcon)
Location of Burgundy
3 Facts
• 175 miles east of Paris
• Central/Eastern France
• Northwest of Alps
Main water-oriented Geological Feature of Burgundy
Soane River: a tributary of Rhône River
Burgundy Climate and Climate Threats
- Continental with warm, dry summers and cold, dry winters
- Spring and fall rain create threat of frost
4 Burgundy Soils
Limestone: A sedimentary rock (composed of once living organisms.) Chablis has highest amount. Best Chardonnay grows on Limestone.
Clay
Marl: clay and limestone
Granite: in Beaujolais
How long has wine been been made in Burgundy?
2000 years
Significance of Cluny Burgandy
- Benedictine Monks promoted winemaking here during the 10th and 11th Centuries (had biggest religious order in the world at this time)
- Benedictine Monks continues purchasing
land and making wine in the 12th century
Who were the Valois Dukes? (val-waa)
Years of rule
1 significant Duke
- A noble French family that ruled France from 1328-1589 (261 years) and made an industry out of wine
- “Phillip the Bold” ordered Gamay to be torn up and replaced with PN
The French Revolution
When
Effect on Burgundy Vineyards
- 1789-1799
- French Clergy and Noblemen auction off land, initiating the private ownership of vineyards in Burgandy
Napoleonic Code/Code of Inheritance
When
2 facts
•In 1804 Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte declares that land inheritance shall be divided equally amongst male heirs
•This creates the fragmented vineyards we have today.
Negociant
* Define
* Period of significance
* 2 Reasons
- A wine merchant who buys grapes or finished wines for blending and bottling under their own name. “Negociant” need not be on the label.
- 18th Century until 1920s: they controlled much of Burgandy
- To handle making and marketing of wine bc families had too little land to be profitable (Napoleonic Code)
- Because families had other careers within their communities.
Creator of the 1st Burgundy Classification System
- Dr Jules Lavalle
- This system was similar, but not exactly the same as the classification system we use today
What is a Domain
When did this concept begin?
- A vineyard or vineyards under control of a winemaker who produces and bottles wine from their own grapes
- 1920s
Traditional barrels for Burgundy aging
Quality tiers for oak
- 228-liter French oak barrels
- Larger, neutral barrells sometimes used for Chardonnay and Aligoté
- Grand Cru: 50-100% new oak
- Premier Cru: 30-50% new oak
- Village Wines: 20-30% new oak
- Regional Wines: mainly neutral-20% new oak
- More new oak for reds than whites
Typical aging for top wines in Burgandy
Reds / Whites
- Red: 15-18 months
- White: 12-15 months
Use of Malolactic Fermentation in Burgundy
Reds / Whites
All reds and most whites go through malolactic fermentation
Whole Cluster Fermentation
2 Facts
Young vs Old Stems
- increases tannin and structure
- Young stems contribute green and herbal flavors
- Old stems contibute spice and black tea
- Popular with pinot noir from Burgundy and Syrah from Norther Rhone
Bâttonage
* Define
* 2 Whys
* When/where employed
- Stirring settled lees back into the wine to
help add balance and hints of creaminess - Used for higher quality Burgundian Chardonnays
The four-tier system of Burgundy
• Grand Cru (1%)
• Premier Cru
• Village
-• Regional (50%)
Burgundy AOP
- Define
- Grapes
- Styles
- A generic Burgandy Appellation
- Grapes: Mainly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Others are allowed, but No Gamay
- Styles: Still/Dry Varietals, Blends and rosès
Coteaux Bourguignons AOP
(co-toe bo-gee-nyo)
* Define
* Grapes
* Styles
- A generic Burgandy Appellation
- Grapes: Any, including gamay
- Styles: Still/Dry Varietals, Blends and rosès
Total Grand Cru in Burgundy?
• Percent of Burgundy Wine
• Location
Total: 33 (1% of Burgundy wine)
Chablis: 1
Côte de Nuits: 24
Côte de Beaune: 8
