Varieties of Burgundy Flashcards
What are the principle grape varieties of the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Aligoté
What are the principle black grape varieties of Burgundy?
Pinot Noir
Gamay Noir
What are the principle white grape varieties of Burgundy?
Chardonnay
Aligoté
Describe Chardonnay’s budding and ripening characteristics.
Early Budding
Early Ripening
What is Chardonnay susceptible to? How do these affect yields?
Spring frosts due to early budding
Grey rot, powdery mildew, millerandage, and grapevine yellows
All of these reduce yields
Regarding yields, what is the advantage of growing Chardonnay?
It produces relatively high yields without losing quality.
What soils and climates are suitable for Chardonnay? Which is the best?
It can be grown in a variety of soils and climates, leading to a range of styles. The best quality examples are from limestone/clay soils, as in Burgundy.
What is the main challenge to making high quality wines from Chardonnay in a good growing season?
Vigor management, which can provide excessive yields and shading
What is the typical profile of Chardonnay wines from cool climates? Where in Burgundy would you find this style?
Apple, pear, lemon, lime, and wet stone aromas with light to medium body and high acidity.
This is common of Chablis.
What is the typical profile of Chardonnay wines from moderate climates? Where in Burgundy would you find this style?
Ripe citrus, melon, and stone fruit aromas with medium to medium (+) body and medium (+) to high acidity.
This is common of the Côte d’Or.
How long is the growing season in Chablis, the Côte d’Or, the Côte Chalonnaise, and the Mâconnais? Why is this beneficial for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir?
The growing season in Burgundy is short due to the cooler climate. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are both early ripening varieties, making them ideal for viticulture there.
Describe Pinot Noir’s budding and ripening characteristics.
Early Budding
Early Ripening
What is Pinot Noir susceptible to? How do these affect yields?
Spring frosts due to early budding
Millerandage, downy and powdery mildews, botrytis, and fan leaf and leaf roll viruses
All of these reduce yields
What is the disadvantage of growing Pinot Noir in warm climates?
Pinot Noir tends to ripen very quickly in warm climates, reducing aromatic intensity and risking sunburn and shrivelling of the berries
What is the primary concern in Burgundy regarding Pinot Noir’s ripeness?
Whether it will ripen fully to develop the desired tannin, color, and aromatic levels