FWS Bourgogne Flashcards
Where is Bourgogne located?
Centre of Eastern France, within the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region
Name the sub-regions of Bourgogne.
- Chablis
- Grand Auxerrois
- Châtillonnais
- Côte de Nuits
- Côte de Beaune
- Côte Chalonnaise
- Mâconnais
What are the main grape varieties used in Bourgogne wines?
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
- Gamay
- Aligoté
- Pinot Gris
What is the significance of terroir in Bourgogne?
Bourgogne’s terroir is exceptionally specific and exacting, recognized by monks in the Middle Ages
What role did the Church play in Bourgogne’s wine development?
The Church categorized different territories, developing a detailed understanding of land potential for vine cultivation
Define Lieu-Dit.
A named parcel of land, defined by ownership
Define Climat.
A named parcel of land classified by vignerons, often with historical significance
Why can quality vary greatly within a Grand Cru parcel?
Multiple producers can farm a single Grand Cru vineyard, leading to varying qualities due to different practices
Who were the key Dukes of Burgundy in the 14th and 15th centuries?
- Philippe the Bold
- John the Fearless
- Philippe the Good
- Charles the Rash
What was the impact of King Louis-Philippe granting Gevrey the right to append Chambertin?
Enhanced reputation and marketing, leading many villages to adopt similar naming practices
How did the Napoléonic Code impact the Burgundian wine industry?
Required vineyards to be divided equally among heirs, leading to fragmentation of vineyards
What was a significant impact of the French Revolution on the Burgundian wine industry?
Dismantling of monasteries led to the breakup of many great domaines, disrupting wine production
Why did Bourgogne shift focus from red to white wine in the 1980s?
Response to worldwide demand for white wine
Why is Bourgogne important on the global wine stage despite its small production size?
Accounts for 21% of France’s wine revenue due to historical prestige and quality
Describe the general climate of Bourgogne.
Continental climate with oceanic influences in the north and Mediterranean in the south
What are the two uplifts of the Saône Graben?
- Morvan uplands
- Jura mountains
How does vineyard location on the slope relate to wine quality?
- Top of slope: thinnest soils, Premier Cru
- Middle of slope: moderate topsoil, Grand Cru
- Bottom of slope: deeper soils, Village AOCs
List the primary grape varieties of Bourgogne and where they are planted.
- Chardonnay (51%) - Mâconnais, Côte de Beaune, Chablis
- Pinot Noir (39.5%) - Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune
- Aligoté (6%) - various regions
- Gamay (2.5%) - southern part of region
What are the chief viticultural hazards in Bourgogne?
- Spring frosts
- Summer hailstorms
How do viticultural practices differ throughout Bourgogne’s sub-zones?
- Chablis and Mâconnais: machine harvesting
- Côte d’Or: handpicking
- Côte Chalonnaise: mix of both
How is global warming impacting the Bourgogne region?
Earlier bud break and harvest, with harvest now about 10 days earlier
What role do négociants play in Bourgogne wine sales?
Account for 52% of all Bourgogne wine sales
What is Bourgogne’s vineyard classification hierarchy?
- Grand Cru (1%)
- Premier Cru (10%)
- Village AOCs (37%)
- Regional AOCs (52%)
How are whites and reds fermented in Bourgogne?
- Whites: fermented in stainless steel or barrels
- Reds: aged in oak barrels
Define Premox.
Premature oxidation in white Bourgogne wines, leading to loss of freshness
List the 7 need-to-know regional appellations of Bourgogne.
- Bourgogne AOC
- Côteaux Bourguignons AOC
- Mâcon AOC
- Crémant de Bourgogne AOC
- Bourgogne Mousseux AOC
- Bourgogne Aligoté AOC
- Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains AOC
What distinguishes Eminent and Grand Eminent Crémant de Bourgogne?
- Éminent: aged for 24 months sur lie
- Grand Éminent: aged for 36 months sur lie and 3 months in cellar
Summarize the hierarchical AOCs of Chablis.
- Chablis Grand Cru: 7 climats on southwest slope
- Premier Cru: 40 climats near Serein River
- Petit Chablis: on Portlandian soils
Name the seven climats of the Chablis Grand Cru.
- Blanchot
- Bougros
- Les Clos
- Grenouilles
- Preuses
- Valmur
- Vaudésir
List the AOCs of the Grand Auxerrois and their wines.
- Saint-Bris AOC (Sauvignon Blanc)
- Irancy AOC (Pinot Noir)
- Vézelay AOC (Chardonnay)
- Crémant de Bourgogne AOC
Name the AOCs of the Côte de Nuits.
- Marsannay AOC
- Fixin AOC
- Gevrey-Chambertin AOC
- Morey-Saint-Denis AOC
- Chambolle-Musigny AOC
- Vougeot AOC
- Vosne-Romanée AOC
- Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC
- Côte de Nuits-Villages AOC
Name the AOCs of the Côte de Beaune.
- Ladoix AOC
- Aloxe-Corton AOC
- Pernant-Vergelesses AOC
- Chorey-lès-Beaune AOC
- Savigny-lès-Beaune AOC
- Beaune AOC
- Côte de Beaune AOC
- Pommard AOC
- Volnay AOC
- Monthélie AOC
- Saint-Romain AOC
- Auxery-Duresses AOC
- Saint-Aubin AOC
- Meursault AOC
- Puligny-Montrachet AOC
What percentage of wine produced in AOC is red for AOC?
2/3rd red
What is the primary grape variety produced in Meursault AOC?
96.5% white wine
Which AOC has the most Grands Crus in Bourgogne?
Puligny-Montrachet AOC
How many Grands Crus does Puligny-Montrachet AOC possess?
4 Grands Crus
What is the wine composition of Chassagne-Montrachet AOC?
2/3rd white wine
What type of wines does Blagny AOC produce?
red wines as Blagny, but uses Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet for white wines
Which AOC is known for mostly red wines and is cordon trained?
Santenay AOC
What is the southernmost AOC in Côte de Beaune?
Maranges AOC
What type of wines does Côte de Beaune-Villages AOC produce?
only red wines
What percentage of production in Côte Chalonnaise is red?
60% of production is red
What is the primary grape variety for Bouzeron AOC?
Aligoté only
What type of wine is mostly produced in Rully AOC?
mostly Crémant de Bourgogne
Which AOC is the biggest producer in Côte Chalonnaise?
Mercurey AOC
What type of wine does Montagny AOC produce?
only white wine from Chardonnay
What is the largest sub-region in Bourgogne?
The Mâconnais
What is the dominant grape variety in Mâconnais?
90% Chardonnay
What is the flagship AOC of the Mâconnais?
Pouilly-Fuissé AOC
What is unique about the soils in southern Mâconnais?
Granite & Schist
What type of wine does Pouilly-Loché AOC produce?
Chardonnay
What is the primary grape variety for Saint-Véran AOC?
Chardonnay
What distinguishes Bourgogne Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their New World counterparts?
Typically less fruit-forward, with more structure, spice, and acidity
What is the typical flavor profile of New World Pinot Noir and Chardonnay?
Fruitier and more aromatic
