French Wine

Question 1

What are the two main grape varieties of Burgundy?

Answer 1

Pinot Noir (red) and Chardonnay (white)

Question 2

What are the other grape varieties grown in Burgundy?

Answer 2

Aligoté (white), Gamay (red – in Beaujolais), and Sauvignon Blanc (only in St-Bris)

Question 3

What are the four levels of Burgundy’s wine classification system?

Answer 3

1. Grand Cru 2. Premier Cru 3. Village 4. Regional

Question 4

What does Grand Cru mean in Burgundy?

Answer 4

Top-tier vineyard wines, labeled by vineyard name only (e.g., Le Chambertin)

Question 5

What does Premier Cru mean in Burgundy?

Answer 5

High-quality vineyard wines within a village, labeled as “Village + Vineyard” (e.g., Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes)

Question 6

What are Village-level wines in Burgundy?

Answer 6

Wines made from grapes within a specific village AOP (e.g., Pommard, Chablis)

Question 7

What are Regional-level wines in Burgundy?

Answer 7

Wines that can come from anywhere in Burgundy (e.g., Bourgogne Rouge, Bourgogne Aligoté)

Question 8

Define ‘Monopole’ in Burgundy.

Answer 8

A vineyard or appellation owned entirely by one producer.

Question 9

Define ‘Côte’ in Burgundy.

Answer 9

French for ‘slope’ or ‘hillside’ — common in names like Côte d’Or, Côte de Nuits.

Question 10

What is whole cluster fermentation?

Answer 10

A method where grape stems are included during fermentation, adding tannin, spice, and complexity.

Question 11

What’s the difference between a négociant and domaine bottling?

Answer 11

Domaine = grapes grown and wine made by the same estate. Négociant = wine made from purchased grapes or juice.

Question 12

Define the clarity terms: clear, hazy, and turbid.

Answer 12

Clear = bright, transparent; Hazy = slightly cloudy; Turbid = very cloudy or murky

Question 13

Give an example of a grape variety known for many clones.

Answer 13

Pinot Noir

Question 14

Give an example of a crossing grape variety.

Answer 14

Pinotage (Pinot Noir × Cinsaut)

Question 15

Name 4 key AOPs of the Chablis region.

Answer 15

Chablis Grand Cru, Chablis Premier Cru, Chablis, Petit Chablis

Question 16

Name 5 major AOPs of the Côte de Nuits.

Answer 16

Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Marsannay

Question 17

Name 5 major AOPs of the Côte de Beaune.

Answer 17

Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Pommard, Volnay

Question 18

Name 3 major AOPs of the Côte Chalonnaise.

Answer 18

Mercurey, Givry, Rully

Question 19

Name 3 major AOPs of the Mâconnais.

Answer 19

Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran, Mâcon-Villages

Question 20

Name 3 important regional AOPs in Burgundy.

Answer 20

Bourgogne, Bourgogne Aligoté, Crémant de Bourgogne

Question 21

Flashcard

Answer 21

Content

Question 22

Still Wine

Answer 22

Fermentation of grape juice without carbonation

Question 23

Sparkling Wine

Answer 23

Secondary fermentation (traditional/Champagne or tank method)

Question 24

Fortified Wine

Answer 24

Addition of spirits (e.g., Port, Sherry)

Question 25

Sweet Wine

Answer 25

Late harvest, botrytis, drying (passito), or fortification before full fermentation

Question 26

Agoston Haraszthy

Answer 26

Hungarian immigrant, Father of California Viticulture

Question 27

Robert Mondavi

Answer 27

Modernized and popularized Napa Valley wines

Question 28

André Tchelistcheff

Answer 28

Raised Napa winemaking standards

Question 29

David Lett

Answer 29

Planted first Pinot Noir in Oregon

Question 30

Dr. Konstantin Frank

Answer 30

Brought vinifera to Finger Lakes

Question 31

Pairing Principles

Answer 31

Match intensity, acid with acid, tannin with fat, avoid clashing

Question 32

Classic Pairings

Answer 32

Sancerre + goat cheese, Champagne + oysters, Cab + steak, Riesling + spicy food, Port + blue cheese

Question 33

Champagne Soil

Answer 33

Chalk, limestone, marl

Question 34

Chablis Soil

Answer 34

Kimmeridgian limestone and clay

Question 35

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Soil

Answer 35

Galets, sand, limestone

Question 36

Bordeaux Left Bank Soil

Answer 36

Gravel

Question 37

Bordeaux Right Bank Soil

Answer 37

Clay and limestone

Question 38

Mosel Soil

Answer 38

Blue slate

Question 39

Coonawarra Soil

Answer 39

Terra rossa (red clay over limestone)

Question 40

Flashcard

Answer 40

Content

Question 41

Northern Rhône Red Grapes

Answer 41

Syrah

Question 42

Northern Rhône White Grapes

Answer 42

Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne

Question 43

Southern Rhône Red Grapes

Answer 43

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (GSM)

Question 44

Southern Rhône White Grapes

Answer 44

Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier

Question 45

Climate Differences

Answer 45

North: Continental, steep, cooler; South: Mediterranean, flat, warmer

Question 46

Mistral Wind

Answer 46

Cold wind that dries vines, reduces disease, concentrates grapes (important in Southern Rhône)

Question 47

Flashcard

Answer 47

Content

Question 48

Major Sub-Regions

Answer 48

Pays Nantais, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine, Central Vineyards, Upper Loire

Question 49

Primary White Grapes

Answer 49

Melon de Bourgogne, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc

Question 50

Primary Red Grapes

Answer 50

Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Gamay

Question 51

Pays Nantais

Answer 51

Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet)

Question 52

Anjou

Answer 52

Chenin Blanc (white), Cabernet Franc (red)

Question 53

Saumur

Answer 53

Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc (still and sparkling)

Question 54

Touraine

Answer 54

Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Gamay

Question 55

Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé

Answer 55

Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir

Question 56

Flashcard

Answer 56

Content

Question 57

Main Grapes

Answer 57

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier

Question 58

Soil Types

Answer 58

Chalk, limestone, marl

Question 59

Climate

Answer 59

Cool continental with strong Atlantic influences

Question 60

Production Method

Answer 60

Traditional method (Méthode Champenoise)

Question 61

Aging Requirements

Answer 61

Non-vintage: 15 months minimum; Vintage: 36 months minimum

Question 62

Dosage Levels

Answer 62

Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Sec, Demi-Sec, Doux

Question 63

Flashcard

Answer 63

Content

Question 64

Main White Grapes

Answer 64

Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat

Question 65

Main Red Grape

Answer 65

Pinot Noir

Question 66

Soil Types

Answer 66

Varied: granite, limestone, schist, clay, sandstone

Question 67

Climate

Answer 67

Dry and sunny, rain shadow effect from the Vosges Mountains

Question 68

Wine Styles

Answer 68

Mostly varietal white wines, some sweet (Vendanges Tardives, Sélection de Grains Nobles)

Question 69

Labeling

Answer 69

Labeled by variety; Grand Cru vineyard and lieu-dit may appear on labels