Ch 15 - Burgundy Flashcards
(38 cards)
What is the climate in Burgundy?
Ranges from cool continental in the north near Chablis to moderate continental further south.
What are some hazards in Burgundy?
Rain can frequently disrupt flowering in early summer and harvest later in the year. Pinot Noir is particularly susceptible to grey rot which can be a problem in a wet growing season. Spring frosts in particular around Chablis can appear as late as may. Localised summer hailstorms can destroy crops.
How does vineyard location impact quality levels in the appellation hierarchy of Burgundy?
Basic village-level vineyards are located on flat sites or at the bottom of slopes whereas premier cru or grand crus will be mid-slope.
How can vineyard location combat some of the hazards in Burgundy?
Mid-slope hillside locations are less prone to frost than those on flat land. Those with south or east facing exposures have some protection from westerly winds as will.
What is the terrain like in Burgundy and how does this impact wines?
Soils are very varied and a number of small geological faults combined with erosion means the types of soil changes significantly over small areas. These changes are linked to subtle changes in styles of wine but the exact role soil plays is a subject of debate. The soils on the hillsides tend to be shallower with better drainage whereas those on flat land are deeper and more fertile.
What are the two dominant grape varieties in Burgundy?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Where are the most important plantings of Pinot Noir in Burgundy?
In the Côte d’Or.
What is the style of classic Burgundian Pinot Noir?
Red fruit flavours in youth that evolve into flavours of earth, game and mushroom as the wine matures. Tend to have high acidity and low-medium tannins but this varies according to vineyard, producer and vintage.
What winemaking techniques are used for PN in Burgundy?
Wide range varying from producer to producer. Use of whole bunches has gradually become more popular. Best wines see 16-18months barrel ageing. Better wines will be aged in a proportion of new oak but this depends on producer.
What is the character of Chardonnay in Burgundy?
Varies as you move south - lean, steely and high acid in Chablis, complex, expressive in Cote d’Or and full bodied, riper in the Mâcon.
What techniques are associated with premium Chardonnay production in Burgundy? Where do the most expressive premium examples of these come from and what is their character?
barrel fermentation, barrel ageinh (6-9 months), MLF for white wines and lees during maturation. The best examples are usually from the Côte d’Or and will be well balanced and complex expressions that can mature in bottle for a decade or more.
What vineyard management may be used to assist ripening of Burgundy PN?
Vertical shoot positioning so that the light can penetrate the canopy and fruit is unshaded to maximise sun exposure.
Where are the best vineyards planted in Chablis?
On slopes with favourable south-facing aspects.
What is the major climactic issue in Chablis? What measures can be taken to protect against it?
Frost is the main issue - sprinklers and heaters are both used.
What grapes are permitted in Chablis?
Just Chardonnay.
Where will you find the differing quality levels of Chablis growing (site location)?
Basic village level found on northern facing slopes and flatter land, premier and grand cru on south facing hillsides giving greater concentration and ripeness to the wines.
What is Petit Chablis?
Classification of lesser vineyards in Chablis.
What is the character of Petit Chablis and Chablis?
Can be very austere with green fruit, high acidity and the better ones will have riper fruit flavours.
What is the character of premier and grand crus Chablis?
Show riper, more concentrated fruit (citrus rather than green apple) and have more body balanced by high acidity.
How might a producer treat premium Chablis in the winemaking process and why?
Ferment or age in old oak which can give rounder texture and subtle flavours (grand cru and some premier crus). Others prefer to retain pure fruit flavours by fermenting and storing in stainless steel or concrete.
What does the Massif Central provide in the Cote d’Or?
It runs alongside the western side providing favourable east and south east hillside locations.
What are the main areas in the Cote d’Or and what whines are they associated with?
It is split into 2 - Cote de Nuits for the fullest bodied long lived pinot noirs aand Cote de Beaune for the best Chardonnays but also some fruitier red wines. The red grand crus are all in Cote de Nuits (except one) and whites are (except one) are in Cote de Beaune.
How does the appellation hierarchy in Burgundy work?
Based on quality of the vineyard sites.
1. regional
The bottom is the regional appellations - Bourgogne Rouge and Blanc are the most generic. Will be PN and Chardy.
Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuit, Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune, Bourgogne Hautes Cotes Chalonnaise are some slightly more restricted areas in the regional appellation category, Macon is another for red and white and Macon Villages for whites only.
- Communes
Appellations like Chablis or Gevrey-Chambertin. Just the name of the commune will appear on the label. May also put single vineyard name as well if it is not a 1ere or grand cru. Term village is sometimes used instead of commune. - 1ere and Grands Crus
Vineyards that have consistently made high quality wines. Most vineyards belong to several owners who will grow and harvest individual parcels of wine. 1ere crus must state 1ere cru on the label. May also put name of vineyard if single vineyard. May blend from several vineyards within the village though. Grand Cru - only the vineyard appears on the label with the term Grand Cru.
Name some key villages of the Cote de Nuit.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits Saint Georges.
