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
Where do the majority of clone families used in Burgundy originate? Where else are they used?
The University of Burgundy in Dijon. They are collectively known as the Dijon clone family and are used in many winegrowing regions throughout the world.
What is the typical profile of Pinot Noir wines from Burgundy?
Strawberry, raspberry, and red fruit flavors, developing into earth, game, and mushroom notes with age
Village wines tend to have light, oak-derived aromas with low to medium tannins, medium alcohol, and high acidity
Grand Cru wines can have medium (+) tannins
What decisions must a grower in Burgundy make when choosing clones to plant?
Clones tend to vary in yield, disease tolerance, ripening speed, and aromatics.
Choosing one clone can produce a more uniform wine profile, but makes the vineyard more susceptible to disease.
Why does Pinot Noir need to be vilified carefully?
It has a delicate character, is aromatic, and has relatively light tannins
What are the advantages and disadvantages of whole bunch fermentation with Pinot Noir?
The bunches aid with aeration of the must, allowing the extraction of aromatic compounds and fine tannins, and offering freshness to the wine. If the stems are unripe, they can impart astringent flavors and lower acidity.
