Burgundy Flashcards
(121 cards)
From north to south, what are the subregions of Burgundy?
Chablis, Cote d’Or (Cote de Nuits first, then Cote de Beaune), Cote Chalonnaise, the Macconais, and Beaujolais
What are individual vineyard plots called in Burgundy? When did these divisions begin?
Climats, which began during the period of the great monasteries (1000 CE onwards)
What cities mark the length of Burgundy (excluding Chablis and Beaujolais)?
Dijon in the north and Macon in the south
Why are prices high in Burgundy?
Limited supply and surging worldwide demand
Describe a typical Chablis
Dry, medium bodied, med alc, high acid, green apple and lemon, no or minimal oak (although sometimes seen in premier and grand cru). Good to outstanding and ageworthy
Describe Chablis’ historical swings in popularity
Very popular in the early 19th century due to proximity to Paris, with 40,000 ha under vine. Plantings shrank during phylloxera, then powdery mildew, then the Paris-Lyons-Marseille railway in the mid 19th century (Chablis could not compete with cheaper wines from the Ssouth). Rural depopulation after WW1 and frost of 1945 reduced Chablis to just 500 ha under vine. Since then, land under vine has regrown to 5,500 ha.
Describe the climate and weather of Chablis
Continental with cold winters and warm summers. Significant vintage variation, with ripening a concern (early-ripening Chardonnay helps with this). Rain throughout the year increases threat of fungal diseases and rot leading up to harvest. Also vulnerable to spring frosts and hair storms, which impact yields.
What are the major vineyard risk management strategies employed in Chablis to protect from spring frosts?
Smudge pts (which are smoky, cause air pollution, and require vineyard staff), sprinklers or “aspersion” (most popular option, but installation and maintenance makes it cost prohibitive to vineyards that are not premier or grand cru or are otherwise well-funded), pruning choices (later pruning promotes later bud-burst, which reduces the chance of damage to new buds from early frost
What are the main rootstocks used in Chablis and why?
41B (vinifera x berlandier) because it is tolerant of limestone soils with high PH, or 420A (riparia x berlandieri) for low vigor and tolerance of high ph soils
What is the vine training system employed in Chablis?
Double Guyot, so that if one can fails the other may still survive frost
What is Taille Chablis?
A multi-armed cordon system that is used in Champagne, not Chablis)
Is mechanization common in Chablis?
Yes, much of Chablis is picked by machine, although the grand cru vineyards are mostly too steep for mechanization and require hand picking
Describe the location and soil types of Petit Chablis
Higher, cooler vineyards with Portlandian soils (hard limestone with a lesser amount of clay)
Describe the topography and soil type of Chablis
Large area of Kimmeridgian soil with mixed aspects. Predominantly on flat land or gentle slopes. Aspects vary, with many north-facing sites leading to light-bodied wines notable for high acidity (intensity increases from Petit Chablis to Chablis)
Describe the location, soil type, and labeling convention of Chablis Premier Cru
40 named vineyards have premier cru status, predominantly on south- and south-east facing slopes of Kimmeridgian soil. Some larger vineyards have specific lieux-dits within them. Wines may be labelled under their specific site or the larger climat within which they fall
What is the difference between a climat and a lieu-dit?
A climat is a named vineyard fixed in AOC law, a lieu-dit is a named piece of land in the centralized land register
How many grand cru are there in Chablis?
One, but it has seven named vineyards (including Les Clos and Vaudesir)
Describe the location and soil type of Chablis grand cru
Chablis’ grand cru is immediately next to th village itself, facing southwest, on the right bank of the River Serein, on Kimmeridgian soil. South-facing slopes promote ripening and give wines with greater weight and concentration than Chblis and Chablis 1er Cru. Soil is a crumbly marl with good drainage and high clay content for water retention
Describe the aspects of Chablis Grand Cru and 1er Cru, and what separates Grand Cru from 1er Cru
Both are site on south-facing slopes, usually in the middle. Slopes mean the vineyards are better drained and protected from frost, and southerly aspect means better light interception and riper fruit. The Grand Cru vineyards are separated from the adjacent 1er Cru vineyards by a belt of trees that protect the GC from northerly wind, allowing wines of greater concentration, body, and aging potential
Is chaptalization allowed in Chablis?
Yes, and it is used up to the legal limit in all but the warmest years
Describe fermentation in Chablis
Typically in stainless and stored in stainless or concrete. Malo is common to soften acidity, and aging on lees for texture is common
Describe the use of oak in Chablis
Oak flavors are typically not desired in generic Chablis, which should be bright and crisp with high acid. Grand Cru, and some 1er Cru, may be barrel fermented and aged in barrels. There is a variety of oak styles at this level
Give examples of Grand Cru Chablis producers who use different oak profiles
Dauvissat and Raveneau use old oak, William Fevre uses new, and Jean-Marc Brocard uses stainless and concrete even at the Grand Cru level
What are the AOC regulations for Chablis, Petit Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru, and Chablis Grand Cru?
100% Chardonnay in all instances. Max yields are 60 hl/ha for Petite Chablis and Chablis AOC, 58 hl/ha for Chablis Premier Cru AOC, and 54 hl/ha for Chablis Grand Cru AOC