WSET4- Burgundy (Côte d'Or, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais) Flashcards
Where is the Côte d’Or situated?
It begins around Dijon, 500 km and runs south down the Saône river valley to Santenay. There are a variety of aspects and soil types.
What is the climate in the Côte d’Or?
Continental with relatively short, warm summers and cool winters.
Why are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir suitable to the climate of the Côte d’Or?
They ripen early and are therefore able to ripen fully in the short summers.
What helps to moderate the climate of the Côte d’Or?
The Morvan hills to the west of the region.
What is the average rainfall in the Côte d’Or?
700 mm
What is the climate of Mâconnais in comparison to the Côte d’Or?
The Mâconnais is typically drier and hotter than the Côte d’Or.
In the Côte d’Or, what is the weather typically like in Autumn?
Dry, though rain at harvest can be a problem
Ripening what parts of the grape is a prioirty for Pinot Noir growers?
The skins and the pips
Why are vineyard site and vintage so important for Côte d’Or growers?
The vineyards are located so far in the north that ripening depends greatly on where the grapes are facing and the weather they receive
Is there low or high vintage variability in Côte d’Or?
High vintage variability
What risks to vine growth in the Côte d’Or exist in the growing season? Why?
Spring frosts due to the early budding nature of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Hail (which can occur as late as may) can damage the vine or the berries, promoting rot
Rain during budburst can cause uneven flowering
How has climate change affected the risk of spring frosts in the Côte d’Or?
The risk has been exacerbated as warmer weather causes vines to begin growing earlier, making the vines more vulnerable to cold weather
True or False
Anti-hail netting is allowed in the Côte d’Or.
True. Limited use of netting has been allowed since June, 2018.
What are the top methods of preventing hail damage to vines in the Côte d’Or?
Anti-hail netting
Seeding clouds with silver iodide to cause precipitation away from the vineyards
What was the argument in the past against the use of anti-hail nets in the Côte d’Or?
They look like an inauthentic part of the landscape
They cause too much shading
Which area and villages of the Côte d’Or were heavily impacted by hail in 2012 and 2015?
The Côte de Beaune, especially Volnay and Pommard
Is drought stress a concern for growers in Burgundy? Why or why not?
Yes. In hot, dry vintages, the berries are at risk of shriveling. Irrigation is not permitted in Burgundy.
What soils in Burgundy are best able to cope with drier vintages?
Soils with higher clay content
What are the most critical factors determining style and quality in the Côte d’Or?
Aspect and Elevation
What is the elevation above sea level of Burgundy’s vineyards?
200-400 meters asl
What is the general orientation of the Côte d’Or? Does it change?
The Côte d’Or is a series of hills running North to South with a majority of vineyards facing East.
There are some side valleys with a more East to West direction, producing southeastern or southerly aspects
Where on a slope in Burgundy do you generally find the best vineyards? Why?
In the middle of the slope where they receive better sunlight interception, frost protection, and well-draining shallow soils.
In Burgundy, why are vineyards on the top of a slope less desirable than one in the middle of a slope?
The soils are very thin and he grapes will be exposed to cooling winds
In Burgundy, why are vineyards at the bottom of a slope less desirable than vineyards in the middle of a slope? How might these vineyards be planted or picked?
The bottom of a slope typically has deeper soil and cooler temperatures. They may be planted with Aligoté or picked earlier for the production of Crémant de Bourgogne.
Are the aspects found in the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais less consistent, as consistent, or more consistent than those of the Côte d’Or?
Less consistent
Where are the finest wine producing sites in the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais?
Côte Chalonnaise: Bouzeron and Rully
Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé
What is the general soil type of the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
Limestone and clay, with proportions varying among vineyards
What is the general soil type of the Côtes de Nuits?
Predominantly limestone with clay in the mixture
What is the general soil type of the Côtes de Beaune?
More clay than the Côtes de Nuits with deeper soils
What is the general soil type of the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais?
Varied with a range of limestone and clays
How does the depth of soil in the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais vary? What effect does this have on viticulture?
It varies significantly, in part to the movement of top soil on slopes due to erosion. There are thinner soils at higher elevations and very deep soils at the bottom of slopes. It becomes difficult for vines to grow on the top of hills and vines at the bottom can be too vigorous.
Erosion on the slopes can also be a problem, even in the walled Clos de Vougeot.
Where can highly regarded Aligoté be found today?
Bouzeron in the Côte Chalonnaise
What are the popular training systems of the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais? What are their advantages and disadvantages?
Cordon de Royat naturally lowers yiels but can harbor disease in it’s high proportion of old wood
Guyot, a traditional method many growers are returning to due to lower disease rates and vertical shoot positioning
Poussard-Guyot, a softer training method that maintains the vine’s sap route, reducing incidence of trunk diseases. It requires skilled labor
What are the typical planting densities in the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare though some growers have much higher planting densities
In the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais, what choices are available in the vineyards to reduce yield? What are their advantages and disadvantages?
Winter Pruning is a standard practice and sets the stage for the growing season
De-budding can promote good balance in the vine, but can have a significant impact on yield if the vine is damaged or diseased late in the season
Green harvesting can take place after the growers have assessed the season and risks have been averted, but can disrupt the vine’s balance and result in diluted bunches
What are the maximum yields for regional Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais wines?
White: 75 hl/ha
Red: 69 hl/ha
What are the maximum yields for village level Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais wines?
White: 45-47 hl/ha
Red: 40-45 hl/ha
What are the maximum yields for grand cru Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais wines?
Some have yields as low as 40hl/ha for white wines and 35hl/ha for red wines
Is biodynamic and organic vineyard management popular in the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
Yes, it is becoming more popular but the climate makes it a challenge. Further, many plans require a minimum area of implementation and many vineyards are shared, leading to friction on which plans to use.
How are grape moths and grapevine yellows managed in Burgundy?
Grape moths are managed by pheromone capsules
Grapevine yellows is managed by canopy management and spraying
What vine diseases are a major problem in the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais today?
Mildews, grapevine yellows and trunk diseases (especially Esca)
How is the majority of fruit in the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais harvested? What considerations must be given to harvest date?
The majority of fruit is harvested by hand. Picking early may help to avoid storms and retain acidity at the risk of full ripeness. Later harvest dates may assure ripeness while risking rain exposure. Workforce availability is also a concern.
Are acidification and de-acidification permitted in white wine production of the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
Yes, though de-acidification is rarely practiced
Is chaptalization practiced when making white wines in the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
Yes, either to raise the minimum alcohol to its required level or (more often) to produce a desired style. With warmer temperatures and better canopy management it is not as necessary.
What is the maximum enrichment permitted in white wines of the Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais?
+1.5% to +2%
How are white grapes harvested, sorted, and pressed in the Côte d’Or?
Usually hand harvested and sorted on tables to ensure consistent quality in the cool climate. The grapes are pressed immediately as whole bunches to ensure the must drains. Chardonnay is not very aromatic and tannin extraction is undesirable, so there is no maceration.
How are white wine musts in the Côte d’Or clarified?
High quality wines are clarified by sedimentation. The winemaker will decide how much of the solids are left in the wine based on the desirability of the flavors they impart.
Less expensive wines may be clarified by other, quicker methods.
True or False
Fermentation by ambient yeasts is common in the Côte d’Or
True, though the use of ambient yeasts and natural fermentation are more prevalent at higher classification levels where winemakers believe it enhances the expression of terroir and are more likely to closely monitor fermentation
How is fermentation initiated in high-volume regional white wines of the Côte d’Or?
Inoculation by cultured yeast
What is the fermentation and maturation process of inexpensive and mid-priced white Côte d’Or wines?
Fermentation takes place in stainless steel or concrete tanks at moderate temperatures to avoid banana flavors.
Maturation may occur in the same or older barrels.
What is the fermentation and maturation process of more premium priced white Côte d’Or wines?
Fermentation and maturation occurs in barrel for a creamier, more rounded style. Fermentation temperatures can reach 16°-20°C.
Wines are generally aged for 8-12 months in oak on the fine lees
What proportion of new oak is typical in white Côte d’Or wines?
Regional: generally little to none
Village: 20-25%
Premier Cru: 30-35%
Grand Cru: 50% or more (100% not unheard of)
What is the standard size of oak barrel used in white Côte d’Or winemaking? What other barrels are common?
The 228-liter ‘pièce’ is standard, though some producers are using 500-600 liter barrels for subtler oak and oxidative flavors
Do white wines of the Côte d’Or undergo malolactic fermentation? If so, where does it take place?
Generally yes, though the proportion of malo can vary if the desired style is fresher or brighter. It can occur in neutral or oak vessels.
Do white wines in the Côte d’Or undergo batonnage? Why and what effect does this have?
Depending on style, the lees may be stirred once or more to impart a creamy texture and (possibly) reduce reductive flavors.
Are Bourgogne Blanc wines filtered?
Yes, more often than the red wines as cloudiness in these wines are undesirable.
How are red grapes harvested, sorted, and pressed in the Côte d’Or?
Grapes are nearly always harvested by hand and sorted on tables for all but the least expensive wines, especially in years with rot and hail threats. Pinot Noir is suited to whole bunch fermentation, but may be destined and pressed.
Who is Henri Jayer and how did he affect winemaking in Burgundy?
He was a prominent winemaker during the 1980s who preferred destemmed fruit over whole bunches for fermentation. Many other winemakers followed his lead and began destemming their Pinot Noir. Whole bunch fermentation has since made a comeback.
What winemaking technique is common to pull color from Pinot Noir skins? Why?
Cold soaking for a few hours to a few days helps to extract color from Pinot Noir which is naturally lower in anthocyanin than other black grape varieties.
How is fermentation initiated in red Côte d’Or wines?
Most producers rely on ambient yeasts naturally starting fermentation in open-top containers.
What types of fermentation tanks are used for Bourgogne rouge? Why are these important?
Fermentation typically occurs in small, open-top containers to facilitate punching down and pumping over, both of which help produce a healthy ferment.
How long does post-fermentation maceration for Pinot Noir wines take place in Burgundy?
It varies depending on style, though longer 2-3 week post-ferment macerations are common for wines of more concentration and structure.
What devices are used in the Côte d’Or to press red wines after fermentation?
Horizontal pneumatic press or vertical basket press
How are free run and press wine kept during the maturation and bottling process in the Côte d’Or?
They are usually kept separately but may be blended together prior to bottling.
What size and material barrels are typically used for red wine maturation in the Côte d’Or? How long are red wines matured?
228 liter oak barrels. Premium and super-premium wines may be aged for 12-20 months while less expensive wines may see less than a year of maturation.
How much new oak is used in the maturation of red wine in Burgundy?
Generally, more is used in the grands and premiers crus than village or generic appellations, but it is mostly dependent on style, region, and producer attitudes.
How and when is malolactic conversion initiated in red wines of the Côte d’Or?
MLF is usually spontaneous and occurs in the spring after fermentation when temperatures rise after the cold winter.
Are the red wines of the Côte d’Or fined or filtered before bottling?
Mid-priced wines may be fined and lightly filtered, but high-priced wines may not be.
What is the quality hierarchy of Côte d’Or wines?
Regional or Generic Appellations
Village Appellations
Premier Cru*
Grand Cru
*Premier Cru wines are not their own AOC but are rather released under the Village AOC. Nonetheless, these climats are recognized as an improvement in quality.
What are the production percentages by quality hierarchy in the Côte d’Or?
Grand cru: 1%
Village and 1er Cru: 47%
Regional: 52%
What is the quality hierarchy of the Côte Chalonnaise?
Regional or Generic Appellations
Village Appellations
Premier Cru*
*Premier Cru wines are not their own AOC but are rather released under the Village AOC. Nonetheless, these climats are recognized as an improvement in quality.
What is the quality hierarchy of the Mâconnais?
Regional or Generic Appellations
Village Appellations
*The Mâconnais is in the final stages of formalizing Premier Cru status for several vineyards
What are the principal appellations of the Côte de Nuits?
Gevrey-Chambertin AOC
Morey-Saint-Denis AOC
Chambolle-Musigny AOC
Vougeot AOC
Vosne-Romanée AOC
Nuits-Saint-George AOC
What grape does the Côtes de Nuits specialize in?
Pinot Noir
What kind of wine is made in Gevrey-Chambertin AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Red Wine only.
Charmes Chambertin AOC
Chambertin Clos de Bèze AOC
What kind of wine is made in Morey-Saint-Denis AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Almost exclusively red wine.
Clos de Tart AOC
Clos de la Roche AOC
What kind of wine is made in Chambolle-Musigny AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Red wines under village appellation.
Bonnes Mares AOC
Musigny AOC
What kind of wine is made in Vougeot AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Red and white wines
Clos de Vougeot AOC
What is unique about the size of Clos de Vougeot AOC in relation to the town of Vougeot?
The grand cru appellation of Clos de Vougeot is much larger than the village appellation.
What kind of wine is made in Vosne-Romanée AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Red wine only.
Includes a large number of reputable grands crus
Romanée-Conti AOC
La Tâche AOC
What kind of wine is made in Nuits-Saint-George AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Almost exclusively red wine.
No grand crus, but important 1er Crus such as:
Les Saint-Georges
Les Vaucrains
What are the principal appellations of the Côte de Beaune?
Aloxe-Corton AOC
Pernand-Vergelesses AOC
Ladoix-Serrigny AOC
Beaune AOC
Pommard AOC
Volnay AOC
Puligny-Montrachet AOC
Chassagne-Montrachet AOC
Meursault AOC
St. Aubin AOC
What is unique about the position of the appellations of Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses, and Ladoix-Serrigny?
They are clustered around the hill of Corton and their villages mainly produce red wine, despite the most important Grand Cru of the area (Corton Charlemagne) exclusively producing white wine. Corton Grand Cru has many lieux-dits and is planted mostly with Pinot Noir, but can also produce white wines from Chardonnay.
What is the difference in wine style between Corton AOC and Corton-Charlemagne AOC?
Corton AOC may produce red and white wines
Corton-Charlemagne AOC only produces white wines
What is unique about Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet?
A single, long stretch of Burgundy’s most celebrated white wine grand crus stretches between the two villages.
What kind of wine is made in Aloxe- Corton AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Mostly red with some white wine
Corton AOC
Corton-Charlemagne AOC
What kind of wine is made in Pernand-Vergelesses AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Mostly red with some white wine
Corton AOC
Corton-Charlemagne AOC
What kind of wine is made in Ladoix-Serrigny AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Mostly red with some white wine
Corton AOC
Corton-Charlemagne AOC
What kind of wine is made in Puligny-Montrachet AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
White wine only
Chevalier-Montrachet AOC
Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet AOC
Bâtard-Montrachet AOC (shared w/ Chassagne-Montrachet AOC)
Montrachet AOC (shared w/ Chassagne-Montrachet)
What kind of wine is made in Chassagne-Montrachet AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Mostly white wine with a small amount of red at village and 1er Cru levels.
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet AOC
Bâtard-Montrahet AOC (shared w/ Puligny-Montrachet)
Montrachet AOC (shared w/ Puligny-Montrachet)
What kind of wine is made in Beaune AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Mostly red but also some white wines
No grand crus, but leading 1er Crus are:
Les Clos de Mouches
Les Grèves
What kind of wine is made in Pommard AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Red wine only
No grands crus. The most prestigious 1er Crus are:
Les Rugiens
Clos de Épeneaux
What kind of wine is made in Volnay AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Red wine only
No grands crus, bought sought after 1er Crus including
Clos de Chênes
Les Caillerets
What kind of wine is made in Meursault AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
White wine only
No grands crus, but well known 1er Crus include:
Perrières
Genevrières
What kind of wine is made in St. Aubin AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
White wine only
No grands crus, but leading 1er Crus include:
Sur le Sentier du Clou
En Remilly
Which villages in the Côte de Beaune have consumers turned to for quality wine at more accessible prices? What types of wine do they produce?
Marsannay (mainly red and rosé)
Fixin (mainly red)
True or False
The Côte Chalonnaise produces more white wine than red wine.
False
What are regional wines from the Côte Chalonnaise labelled as?
Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise AOC, though more often as Bourgogne AOC
How many Grands Crus are there in the Côte Chalonnaise?
None, but there are a substantial number of Premiers Crus.
What has been the recent trend in wine quality from the Côte Chalonnaise? How has this affected wine value comparable to Côte d’Or wines?
It has improved and is an excellent value compared to Côte d’Or competitors.
Where are the Premiers Crus of the Côte Chalonnaise generally located (topographically)?
The warmest south, southeast, and east facing slopes with well-drained limestone soils.
What are the important appellations of the Côte Chalonnaise?
Bouzeron AOC
Rully AOC
Mercurey AOC
Givry AOC
Montagny AOC
What kind of wine is made in Bouzeron AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
White wines made entirely from Aligoté. There are no grands crus or 1er crus.
How are the wines of Bouzeron AOC regarded?
As some of the finest Aligoté in Burgundy
What kind of wine is made in Rully AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
More white wine than red with 1er Crus for both. There are no grands crus
How much of Rully AOC is dedicated to 1er Cru production?
Just over 25% of the appellation
Rully AOC is an important area for the production of grapes used in what style of wine?
Crémant de Bourgogne
What kind of wine is made in Mercurey AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Significantly more red than white wine. No grands crus but many premiers crus.
How much of Mercurey AOC is devoted to 1er Cru production?
About 25%
Which appellation in the Côte Chalonnaise is the largest producer of communal wine?
Mercurey AOC
What kind of wine is made in Givry AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Mostly red wine. No grands crus but many premiers crus.
How much of Givry AOC is dedicated to 1er Cru production?
Over 40%
What kind of wine is made in Montagny AOC? What are the important Grands Crus?
Only white wine. No grands crus but many 1er crus.
How much of Montagny AOC is dedicated to 1er Cru production?
Two thirds.
What type of wine is made in the Mâconnais?
Mostly white wines
How are inexpensive regional wines of the Mâconnais generally labelled?
Bourgogne AOC
What is the appellation hierarchy of the Mâconnais in approximate order of quality?
Mâcon AOC
Mâcon Village AOC and Mâcon-(named village) AOC
Named Villages, such as Pouilly-Fuissé AOC and Saint-Veran AOC
What kind of wine is produced under Mâcon AOC?
Mostly red or rosé wines, with some white wine
What kind of wine is produced under Mâcon Village AOC and Mâcon-(named village) AOC
Only white wine
What are the important named village appellations of the Mâconnais?
Pouilly-Fuissé AOC
Saint-Véran AOC
Viré-Clessé AOC
Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC
Pouilly-Loché AOC
Why is Marsannay cooler than other parts of the Côte d’Or?
It is the northern-most town
The slopes are flatter, offering less protection from cooling winds
What town is the only appellation in the Côte d’Or permitted to produce white, rosé, and red wines? Why?
Marsannay, because of the cooler temperatures it experiences
What town near Marsannay produces red wines in a light bodied style with fresh red fruit aromas?
Fixin
What two towns in the Côte de Nuits are most protected from westerly winds? What effect does this have on the wines there?
Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits-Saint-George. The temperatures are higher, leading to slightly higher alcohols but greater ripeness. Most of Burgundy’s red grand crus are positioned between and near these two villages.
Compare and contrast the style of wine from Chambolle-Musigny, Gevrey-Chambertin, Pommard, and Volnay.
Volnay and Chambolle-Musigny typically produce fruitier and more fragrant styles while wines from Pommard and Gevrey-Chambertin are more full bodied.
What type of wines are Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault known for? What are the differences between them?
Dry white wines made from Chardonnay. Puligny-Montrachet is typically more floral and concentrated while Meursault is full bodied and powerful.
What creates the differences in local style among Burgundy villages?
It is unclear, though winemaking decisions such as the use of oak, batonnage, and whole bunch fermentation greatly affects style.
What was the traditional business model for selling wines in Burgundy? Is it the same today?
Most of the wine went through négociants who bought the grapes or must, or finished wine made by other growers.
Since the 1980s, domaine bottling has become the trend. There are still several important négociants from the 19th century still active.
Name important Burgundy négociants that have been active since the 19th Century.
Albert Bichot
Joseph Drouhin
Faiveley
Louis Jadot
Brouchard Père et Fils
What is Dujac and what is unique about how it brings wine to the market?
A Burgundy producer/négociant which bottles it’s own wine as Domaine Dujac and its purchased fruit or wine as Dujac Fils et Pére.
Describe who is responsible for wine production on Burgundy.
Growers, numbering in the thousands, who sell grapes or unfinished wine to négociants
Domaines that own their own vineyards and produce their own wines
Négociants who purchase grapes or unfinished wine to sell under their own label
Micro-négociants who purchase grapes from very good to top quality vineyard sites and sell under their own label
Cooperatives
What type of producer is Benjamin Leroux? Where do they make wine?
A micro-négociant in Burgundy
Where in Burgundy are cooperatives important? Name two important cooperatives and where they operate.
Chablis, the Mâconnais, and to a lesser extent the Côte Chalonnaise. Not so much the Côte d’Or.
La Chablisienne (Chablis)
Cave de Lugny (Mâconnais)
What effect have young winemakers had on quality in Burgundy in recent years?
Quality has improved as young winemakers are more technically trained and have travelled to see how wine is made in other regions.
What are the routes to market available in Burgundy?
Producer to consumer (cellar door sales)
Producer to retail to consumer
Grower to cooperative or négociant, then through the supply chain
What percentage of Burgundy wine is consumed domestically? Within the EU? Abroad?
50% within France
25% within EU
25% abroad
What are the largest export markets for Burgundy?
U.S.
U.K.
Japan
What are the most important drivers of price in Burgundy?
Domaine name (often more important)
Village and/or Cru name
How can wines from Burgundy be purchased?
En primeur
Specialty wine shops
Fine dining
Supermarkets and hospitality sector (generic and village level wines)
What has been the recent trend in land prices in Burgundy? Why?
Since the mid-2000s, prices have gone up drsmatically due to scarcity of land, consumer desire for top quality wines, and increased interest from foreign buyers of wine businesses
What is the production output of Burgundy compared to Bordeaux? How has this affected the secondary market?
Burgundy produces about 25% as much wine as Bordeaux. With increased interest in Burgundy, secondary market prices have risen 200% from 2003 to 2016.
