Burgundy Wine Education

Overview of Burgundy

• Location: Northeast France.
• Focus: Key grape varieties and vineyards fundamentals.

Key Grape Varieties

• White and Red Representation: 61% white (Chardonnay), 27% red (Pinot Noir).
• Common Varieties:
    - Chardonnay
    - Pinot Noir

Terroir and Mesoclimates

• Terroir Definition: Influences on flavor and aroma based on the environment.
• Mesoclimate vs Microclimate:
    - Mesoclimate: A broader climate affecting vineyard rows influenced by slopes and soil changes.
    - Microclimate: Smaller, localized climate variations affecting individual plants or rows.

Grand Cru and Premier Cru Vineyards

• Grand Cru Vineyards: 33 recognized sites.
    - Price Range: Usually between $35-$100 for common vintages, up to $2,000-$30,000 for rare ones.
• Premier Cru Vineyards: Approximately 600 noted sites.

Key Geographic Features of Burgundy

• Orientation of Vineyards: Mostly south-southeast facing for maximum sun exposure.
• Côte d'Or:
    - Meaning “Hill of Gold.”
• Geographical Stretch: From Dijon to Lyon, enclosing regions like Beaujolais.

Climate

• General Climate: Continental with cool summers averaging upper seventies (°F) and annual rainfall around 29 inches.
• Seasonal Variability: Significant effects on vintage quality and grape characteristics.

Soil Composition

• Marl: A combination of limestone and clay, crucial for wine density and acidity balance.
• Soil Gradient:
    - Top of the Hill: Devoid of clay, more limestone, resulting in thinner, acid-driven wines (often Premier Cru).
    - Mid-Slope: Optimal mix of clay and limestone, producing richer Grand Cru.
    - Bottom of the Hill: More clay dominant, yielding more alluvial soils and producing village wines.
  

Historical Context

• French Revolution Impact: Loss of vineyard cohesion due to the Napoleonic Code—land fragmented among heirs.
    - Example: Clos du Bouchot has 80 different owners over 125 acres.

Historical Vineyard Structure

• Climats: Historically defined plots that reflect unique terroir or vineyard sites specific to Burgundy.
• Grapes and Climate Influence:
    - Relationship between grape quality and specific vineyard location, rooted in centuries of winemaking tradition.

Cooperative Structures

• Co-ops in Burgundy: Approximately 17-38 cooperatives allowing small vine owners to pool resources.
    - Example: La Champagne in Chablis handles 25% of Chablis wine production.

Pricing Structure for Wine

• Village Wines: Typically range from $50-$85 wholesale.
• Premier Cru Wines: Start at around $85, potentially upwards of several hundred dollars.
• Grand Cru Wines: Generally several hundreds to thousands depending on rarity.
  

Wine Classification Pyramid

• Regional Appellation: Includes Burgundy Rouge - little specific varietal labeling.
• Village Wines (37% of production): Identified by specific village names.
• Premiers Crus: Specific vineyard designation indicating higher quality.
• Grand Cru: Top tier emphasizing words and sites attached to the vineyard.

Summary of Important Terms

• Clemov: Unique to Burgundy, defining specific historical vineyard plots.
• Terroir: Essential for understanding quality between the regions.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding Structure: Importance of vineyard classification in Burgundy vs. Bordeaux’s estate-based classification
• Price Variation: Strong correlation with vineyard prestige, rarity, and historical significance.