Soils & Topography

Question 1

Soils & Topography

Terroir (5)

(3)

Answer 1

• Terroir key in Burgundy; key factors:

• slope (steepness & direction),
• depth,
• drainage,
• heat retention &
• mineral content

Chablis

• Limy, chalky soil (Kimmeridgian soil: chalk+clay+oyster fossils)

Cote d’or:

Lies on a geological fault line; mostly south facing (esp. Cotes de Beaune). Best vineyards face east to catch morning sun (-> heat early and retained for the day)

Altitude mid-slope of 250m (sun trap) Higher-> harsher climate & slow ripening; Lower: alluvial soils w valley mists & frost.

Limy, loamy and marly soils (ideal for Pinot Noir) & calcareous, clay soils (ideal for Chardonnay)

Cote Chalonnaise & Maconnais

• Limestone deposits more sporadic + mixed with more loamy, sandy soils.