Wset Advanced: Chapter 16. Burgundy

Front 1

How would you describe Burgundy's climate?

Back 1

A moderate continental climate. Severe winters and hot summers. High continentality. Relatively low rainfall

Front 2

How would you describe Burgundy's rainfall?

Back 2

Relatively low annual rainfall, but rain is frequent during harvest.

Front 3

What are some of climactic hazards in Burgundy?

Back 3

Summer hail. Rain during harvest. Spring frosts, especially in Chablis. Summer rains that can cause grey rot. (4)

Front 4

What protects the main vineyards? How?

Back 4

The massif central's Eastern fringe acts as protection from summer rains, frost and hailstorms.

Front 5

Describe the soil in burgundy.

Back 5

Calcareous clayey soils wherever chardonnay is planted. Limey marl wherever Pinot Noir is planted.

Front 6

How does the soil in Burgundy make it unique? (7)

Back 6

The drastic variance of the steepness, aspect, depth, drainage heat retention, and mineral content of it's soils from one small area to another. Soils are shallow and the roots dig into the limestone underneath.

Front 7

Why is soil variance a good thing in Burgundy

Back 7

Local winemakers have leaned to express the qualities well over centuries of winemaking. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay express subtle differences very well.

Front 8

What varieties are planted in Burgundy?

Back 8

A strong majority are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. But there is also Aligoté, Gamay and even Sauvignon Blanc in small amounts.

Front 9

Name two areas where there is little Pinot Noir.

Back 9

Yonee and Mâconnais

Front 10

How does cloning play a role in Red Burgundy?

Back 10

Pinot is an old variety that's very genetically unstable. Through centuries of selective cloning, Burgundy has developed many different pinot's with subtle difference. These clones have different yields, ripening times, flavours and quality potentials.

Front 11

What is the general flavour profile of Classic Burgundian Pinot Noir ? (4)

Back 11

Red fruit flavours (Cherry, Raspberry, Strawberry). Over time Pinot develops vegetal and gamey notes. Med to High Tannin and Acidity. Usually full body because of must enhancement or natural ripeness.

Front 12

What is the general flavour profile of Classic Burgundian White? (10)

Back 12

Varies greatly from region to region. Chablis make wines with high acid that are lean and steely. The flavours are green apple and citrus. Côte d'or makes expressive complex wines. Mâcon makes full bodied, rich, ripe fruit wines.

Front 13

How much area in Burgundy does each varietal occupy?

Back 13

Pinot Noir: 1/3. Chardonnay: 1/2. Aligoté 1/20. Gamay1/10.

Front 14

Aligoté (4)

Back 14

White grape grown in burgundy for Bourgogne Aligoté and sparkling.Traditionally Aligoté makes thin acidic wines. Recently quality has improved but these wines are still 2-dimensional.

Front 15

How are vines grown in Burgundy (4)

Back 15

Burgundy's vines are some of the most densely planted vines in the world at around 12,000 plants per hectare. Most are trained low along wires in the single guyot system. Vines are trained higher in Hautes-Côtes.

Front 16

How can the climate affect vinification in Burgundy?

Back 16

Temperatures can fall low enough to stop fermentation. Fermentation vessels need to be heated. Even white wines have trouble fermenting in cold autumns. Whole cellars are heated if need be.

Front 17

How is Pinot Noir vinified ?

Back 17

Côte d'Or likes to cold soak the must before fermentation. Traditional, open vat fermentation with pumping over of the juice is normal for the Côte d'Or and Côte du Chalonnaise. Some winemakers punch down the cap.

Front 18

How is Chardonnay vinified?

Back 18

Barrel aging (typically 6 to 9 months), Barrel fermentation, Malolactic fermentation and the use of lees all were pioneered in Burgundy. Use of techniques vary from region to region but the best wines are always made to have a firm line of acidity and intense, complex flavours.

Front 19

Bourgogne AC

Back 19

These are red or white wines wines that are made from the best available grapes in a given region. Makes up for about half of the production of the region.

Front 20

What kind of wines can be included into the Bourgogne AC

Back 20

Wines made from vineyards that do not have the rights to a superior appellation primarily. Although sometimes it can be wines that were declassified from a superior location. Sometimes it's due to excessive yields or just a wine that is of poorer quality than usual, especially wines from young vines.

Front 21

What is the pricing for regional Burgundian Appellations?

Back 21

Bourgogne Aligote: Medium Priced

Bourgogne Rouge: Medium to High priced

Bourgogne Blanc: Medium to High priced

Front 22

Bourgogne Aligoté

Back 22

High acidity, relatively low alcohol. Mainly produced in the Chablis region, certain villages in Côte d'Or and and on Côte Challonaise. Bouzeron has it's own appellation for Aligoté.

Front 23

Commune AC

Back 23

Communal village appellations. Accounts for a third of the total production.

Front 24

What are the rules for Commune AC's labelling system

Back 24

- Usually the just the name of the commune is given on the label.

- If the wine came from a single vineyard, but's it's not recognized as premier cru, than the vineyard's name can be put on the label but in smaller print below the Commune name..

Front 25

What are some fundamental differences between Single vineyard labelling in Burgundy vs. Bordeaux

Back 25

- In Bordeaux the a chateaux name is largely a trademark.

- In Burgundy the vineyard name is attached to a specific plot of land, which is registered at each town hall.

- In Burgundy many winemakers can share the same plot of land, with each company owning different rows.

Front 26

How many Premier Cru sites exist in Burgundy? (2)

Back 26

600. All within Chablis, the Cote d'Or and the Côte du Chalonnaise.

Front 27

How does the labelling work for premier cru work?

Back 27

- The commune's name is placed on the top in large letters.

- The single vineyard will be placed below in smaller lettres

- The AC will contain Premier Cru.

Front 28

If two premier cru wines are blended together how would the labelling differ?

Back 28

- There would be no vineyard name

- 1er Cru would be listed beside the Commune name

Front 29

How many Grand Cru sites are there?

Back 29

33 sites all located within the Côte d'Or. Less than 1% of the total production.

Front 30

How does Grand Cru labelling work?

Back 30

- The village name is not mentioned, instead the vineyard is marked in big letters on top.

- Grand Cru is mentioned below

- Appellation (village) Contrôlée below that

Front 31

Why can it be easy to confuse a vineyard name with a commune name?

Back 31

Long ago a bunch of dumb-ass mayors thought it would be a great idea to compound vineyard names into the names of their villages in order to increase sales of their 1er cru wines.

Front 32

How does Grand Cru work in Chablis?

Back 32

Just one site spread over seven adjoining plots of land (climats).

Front 33

What does a Chablis Grand Cru label look like?

Back 33

CHABLIS LES CLOS

Appellation Chablis Grand Cru Contrôlée

Front 34

How is Chablis priced?

Back 34

Chablis: Mid priced

Chablis Premier Cru: High to Premium priced

Chablis Grand Cru: Premium priced +

Front 35

What region is Chablis located within

Back 35

Yonne

Front 36

Describe the soils of Chablis (4)

Back 36

The lesser vineyards are situated on Portlandian clay; these sites may still be labled Petite Chablis AC. The best soils are situated above limestone overlaid with Kimmeridgan clay. The limestone is rich in marine fossils.

Front 37

What is the major climactic hazard of Chablis? What are some remedies?

Back 37

Frost. Most vineyards use aspersion sprinklers, but heaters and helicopters can be used to circulate the air as well.

Front 38

What is the flavour profile of basic Chablis?

Back 38

Austere, green-plum fruit and high acidity.

Front 39

How many vineyards have the right to Premier Cru Chablis? What is their flavour profile? (5)

Back 39

40. More stony or smoky minerality than basic Chablis. Riper fruit (Citrus instead of apple and greengage), more body, softer and creamier texture, more concentration.

Front 40

How does the flavour profile differ in a Grand Cru Chablis?

Back 40

Subtle oak. Long finish. High acidity and concentration.

Front 41

Where are the best Burgundian wines made?

Back 41

Côte d'Or, the Heart of Burgundy.

Front 42

Describe the topography of Cote D'Or

Back 42

Slopes facing South and East gaining maximum exposure from the rising sun, while enjoying the protection of the hills of the Morvan behind them.

Front 43

Describe the soils of Cote D'Or

Back 43

Mix of Limestone and Marl

Front 44

Name the two halves of Côte d'Or

Back 44

South: Cote du Beaune.

North: Cote du Nuits

Front 45

What type of wine is most characteristic of Côte du Beaune?

Back 45

Fine full body whites with intense complexity. Lots of oak and acidity. Green and citrus fruits. Burgundy's best Grand Cru sites (except for Musigny Blanc) are here.

Front 46

What type of wine is most characteristic of Côte du Nuits?

Back 46

Full bodied long-lived reds. Subtle oak. Intense complexity. All the red Grand Cru sites are here, except for Corton.

Front 47

How are Côtes d'Or wines priced

Back 47

Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes Du Nuits/ Hautes-Côtes du Beaune: Mid priced

Cotes du Nuits/Beaune Villages (R&W): mid to high priced

Village wines (R&W): High to Premium priced)

Premier Cru Wines(R&W): Premium priced +

Grand Cru Wines: Premium priced +

Front 48

What are the Key villages of the Cote du Nuits (4)

Back 48

Gevrey-Chambertin AC, Vougeot AC, Vosne-Romanée AC and Nuits St.Georges AC.

Front 49

What are some Grand Crus sites of Cote du Nuits? (6)

Back 49

Chambertin AC, Chambertin clos du Béze AC, Clos du Vougeot AC, La Romanée AC, Romanée Conti AC and La Tache AC.

Front 50

Côtes du Nuits Villages

Back 50

Can be red or white, produced from vineyards that lie on the Cote but do not have the rights to the appellations.

Front 51

Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits

Back 51

18 villages behind the vineyards of the Côte, behind the hills. Less body and concentration than Côte du Nuits

Front 52

What are the important villages of the Cote du Beaune? (7)

Back 52

Aloxe-Corton AC, Beaune AC, Pommard AC, Volnay AC, Meursault AC, Puligny Montrachet AC and Chassagne Montrachet.

Front 53

What are the important Grand Cru vineyards of Cote du Beaune? (3)

Back 53

Corton AC, Corton-Charlemagne AC, Le Montrachet

Front 54

Which Beaune village does not produce Red wine?

Back 54

Volnay

Front 55

Cote Du Beaune Villages AC

Back 55

Red wines only. It's a blended wine made from different villages of the Cote du Beaune.

Front 56

Bourgogne Hautes - Cotes de Beaune AC

Back 56

Directly parallel to Hautes Cotes du Nuits.

Front 57

The Saone-et-Loire Region

Back 57

A continuation of the Cote d'Or. Soils and varieties are the same. Gaps in between wine villages. Wines are similar but they do not age as well, thus the prices are lower. Value wine.

Front 58

Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise AC

Back 58

Applies to all wines made on the Southern Côte, Same grapes. Regional appellation. Medium priced.

Front 59

Rully AC

Back 59

More white than Red. Important centre for sparkling. Cote du Chalonnaise. Medium to High priced.

Front 60

Mercurey AC

Back 60

Mostly reds. Enjoys highest reputation and prices on the Cote du Chalonnaise. Medium to High priced.

Front 61

Givry AC

Back 61

Known for it's reds. Smallest appellation in Cote du Challonnaise. Medium to high priced.

Front 62

Montagny

Back 62

Makes only whites. Medium to High priced.

Front 63

Mâconnais

Back 63

Limestone rich soils are ideal for Chardonnay. Red wines only account for less than a sixth of production. Co-op cellars play a big role in production.

Front 64

Mâcon AC

Back 64

Can be made from anywhere in the region. Mostly chardonnay, but there is a little bit of red made from Pinot Noir and Gamay. Chardonnay is low-med priced.

Front 65

What is the taste profile of Mâcon whites.

Back 65

Fresh apple and citrus. Somewhat lacking in flavour. Good balance, lively acidity, medium to full body, may be a hint of Malo.

Front 66

Mâcon Villages AC

Back 66

A Chardonnay from one of Mâcon's 43 villages. Value wine. More ripeness, body and character than Mâcon AC. May come from one or a combination of the villages. Medium priced.

Front 67

Name two of the Mâcon villages

Back 67

Lugny AC, Chardonnay AC

Front 68

What is required of Mâcon supérieur?

Back 68

14% ABV

Front 69

Pouilly-Fuissé AC

Back 69

Most famous village in Mâcon. Made on heat absorbing slopes. Lots of oak. Med-premium priced.

Front 70

Describe the taste profile of Pouilly Fuissé

Back 70

Very ripe peach and melon fruit combined with savoury nutty flavours of new oak. Full bodied. Tastes like New World Style.

Front 71

If a grower makes his/her own wine in Burgundy they have two options, what are they?

Back 71

-Bottle it and sell it under their own label (1/3 of total production)

-Sell it to a négociant (1/2 of total production)

Front 72

Describe the role of a négociant?

Back 72

Négociants buy wines from producers across burgundy and bottle them under their own label. In order to satisfy the demands of international buyers, they blend the wines of many vineyards.

Front 73

What difficulties do négociants face in modern times

Back 73

It's getting more difficult to buy wine in bulk. Merchants who have backing from investment outside the region and other reputable merchants have been profiting from this shift. Specialist négoicants are rising in nubers as well. It's becoming common to sell grapes instead of wine to have more control over the brand.