Class 3 - Burgundy and the Loire Flashcards
(82 cards)
What is Cote d’Or?
A limestone escarpment in Burgundy
Cote d’Or is known for its prestigious wine production.
What types of wines are produced in the Cote de Nuits?
Almost exclusively red wine
Cote de Nuits is the northern half of the Cote d’Or.
What types of wines are produced in the Cote de Beaune?
A mix of both red and white wines
Cote de Beaune is the southern region of the Cote d’Or.
What does Cote d’Or translate to in English?
The ‘golden slope’
This name refers to the area’s reputation for fine wine production.
What is a characteristic of wines from the Cote d’Or?
Minute quantities and extravagant prices
This region is known for producing limited quantities of high-quality wines.
What is a common issue with Burgundy wines?
A lot of bad Burgundy sold at unreasonably high prices
The romanticized reputation sometimes leads to poor quality wines being overpriced.
What happens to the quantity, price, and quality of wine as the area gets smaller?
Quantity goes down, price goes up, quality goes up (in theory)
This reflects the Burgundy AOC Pyramid structure.
What are the three main categories of Burgundy wines based on the AOC Pyramid?
- Regional appellations
- Village (commune) wines
- Premier Crus
These categories reflect the hierarchy of wine quality and production.
What is unique about Chambertin in the Cote de Nuits?
It is the northernmost wine district of Burgundy
Chambertin is separated from the Cote d’Or by the Morvan hills.
What type of soil is found in Chambertin?
Kimmeridgian Clay/Limestone soils
These soils contribute to the unique characteristics of the wines produced in the area.
What grape is Chablis made from?
100% from the Chardonnay grape
Chablis is known for its distinct style of Chardonnay.
What type of climate does Chablis have?
Semi-continental with no maritime influence
This climate impacts the characteristics of the wines produced.
What effect does the cool climate of Chablis have on its wines?
Produces wines with high acidity and less fruit than Chardonnay from warmer regions
This is due to the semi-continental climate.
What vintage variation does Chablis experience?
Dramatic vintage variation in quality and quantity due to climate conditions
Late frosts particularly impact the vintage quality.
What is the area under vine in Burgundy as of 2012?
13,497 acres (5462 hectares)
This reflects the scale of viticulture in the Burgundy region.
What is believed to be the purest expression of the varietal character of Chardonnay?
Chablis
Some experts believe that Chablis is the purest expression due to its simple winemaking process.
What are the characteristics of Chablis in terms of climate and soil?
High acidity due to calcareous soil and cool climate
Winemakers want to emphasize the terroir.
What color and clarity are typical for Chablis?
Greenish-yellow color and extreme clarity
These visual characteristics are notable in Chablis wines.
What flavor notes are commonly found in Chablis?
Flint, steel, earthiness
These notes contribute to the overall profile of Chablis.
How does bottle aging affect Chablis?
Acquires delicate honeyed notes
Chablis benefits from mild to moderate bottle aging.
What are the primary aromas detected in Chablis?
Green apple and lemon
These brisk, very dry notes are prominent in the nose.
What hints can be found in the palate of Chablis?
Vanilla, lemon, and linden
These flavors contribute to the mouthfeel of Chablis.
What are the three classifications of Chablis?
Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru Chablis, Grand Cru Chablis
These classifications represent different quality levels of Chablis wines.
Which Côte faces due east and which faces southeast?
Côte de Nuits faces due east; Côte de Beaune faces southeast
This orientation affects the vineyards’ exposure to sunlight.