Burgundy

Question 1

What is the climate of Burgundy?

Answer 1

It ranges from cool continental in the north (Chablis) to moderate continental in the south.

Question 2

What are some climactic challenges in Burgundy?

Answer 2

• Rain can disrupt flowering in early summer and can affect harvest
• Pinot Noir is susceptible to grey rot, which is a problem in a wet growing season
• Spring frost (esp. in Chablis)
• Localized summer hailstorms

Question 3

What are some characteristics of the highest-quality vineyards in Burgundy?

Answer 3

• South or east-facing exposure, offering protection of prevailing westerly winds
• Planted on hillsides that have good drainage

Question 4

What are the flavor characteristics of Burgundian Pinot Noir?

Answer 4

• Red fruit flavors in youth that evolve into earth, game, and mushroom in maturity
• High acid / low to medium tannins, but this varies according to producer & vintage

Question 5

What are some common winemaking techniques used for red wines in Burgundy?

Answer 5

• Use of whole-bunches has become more popular

- Best wines receive 16-18 months of barrel aging

Question 6

What are common techniques used for premium Chardonnay production in Burgundy?

Answer 6

• Barrel fermentation
• Barrel aging (typically 6-9 months)
• MLF
• Use of lees during aging

Question 7

What is Aligote?

Answer 7

White grape that tends to produce neutral wines with high acid.

Question 8

Where is Chablis located and what sets apart its best vineyard sites?

Answer 8

• Located on the River Serein in the northern part of Burgundy
• Best sites planted on slopes with south-facing aspects

Question 9

What is a major climactic problem in Chablis and how is it solved?

Answer 9

• Spring frosts

- Heaters and sprinklers

Question 10

What are the various quality levels of Chablis?

Answer 10

• Petit Chablis
• Chablis
• Chablis Premier Cru
• Chablis Grand Cru

Petit & Village-level Chablis grown on more marginal or north-facing sites, flatter land. Green fruit & high acid. Premier & Cru Chablis grown on south-facing slopes, richer fruit, can see some new oak.

Question 11

What is the Massif Central?

Answer 11

A highland area that runs alongside the western edge of the Côte d’Or. Provides the favorable east and south-east facing hillsides for Burgundy?

Question 12

Where do some of the fullest-bodied and longest-lived Pinot Noirs come from?

Answer 12

Côte de Nuits

Question 13

What is Côte de Nuits-Villages?

Answer 13

A red or white wine produced from vineyards that lie on the Côte de Nuits but do not qualify for one of the more famous village appellations.

Question 14

What is Côte de Beaune-Villages?

Answer 14

A red wine wine produce from villages in the Côte de Beaune.

Question 15

What separates wines of Bourgogne Haute Côtes de Nuits & Bourgogne Haute Côte de Beaune from the other appellations in Burgundy?

Answer 15

They are produced to the west and at higher altitudes than the rest of Burgundy. Higher altitude and greater exposure to wind gives slightly less body and concentration.

Question 16

Describe the Côte Chalonnaise and name the four village appellations within it

Answer 16

• South of the Côte d’Or
• Higher altitude, with aspects less consistently towards the east
• Wines are lighter and tend to mature earlier
• Rully, Mercurey, Givry, and Montagny

Question 17

What are the key features of the Mâconnais?

Answer 17

• Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape, reds are typically Gamay, but Pinot Noir also produced
• Regional appellation is Mâcon
• Mâcon-Villages can come from one or a combination of villages, excellent value for money
• Two most famous villages are Pouilly-Fuisse & Saint-Veran. These are the richest, ripest Chardonnays in all of Burgundy. They are grown in amphitheater-like slopes that act as natural suntraps, on limestone soil.

Question 18

What is the main grape of Beaujolais and what are its main characteristics?

Answer 18

Gamay is an early-ripening and early-budding grape that produces very large yields, therefore the best wines come from grapes grown in granitic soils with low levels of nutrients, which limits yields. It gives fragrant wines with aromas of raspberry and cherry / low-med tannin & body. The lightest can be served chilled.

Question 19

Describe the wines of Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau

Answer 19

• Produced mainly through Carbonic & Semi-Carbonic Maceration
• Grown on the alluvial plane of the River Saonne
• Light in body and tannins / red berry fruit with notes of kirsch, banana, and cinnamon-like spice

Question 20

Where is the appellation of Beaujolais-Villages located and how many villages can classify their wines under this label?

Answer 20

• Lies to the north and west of the region, on a series of rolling hills with granite soils
• 39 villages can call their wines Beaujolais-Villages

Question 21

How many villages are entitled to their own appellation within Beaujolais, and what are the four with the greatest production?

Answer 21

• 10 villages

- Brouilly, Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-a-Vent

Question 22

Describe the differences and similarities between wines from Brouilly, Morgon, Fleurie, and Moulin-a-Vent

Answer 22

Moulin-a-Vent and Morgon produce the most structured wines, which can improve with bottle-aging due to their structure. Brouilly and Fleurie are lighter, more perfumed styles. In all, many of the wines can undergo crushed fruit fermentation and some will receive oak-aging in large vats.