Title: WSET Level 3 / WSET Level 3 C15 - Burgundy

Front: How is the climate of burgundy best described?
Back: Cool continental in the north around Chablis and moderate continental further south

Front: What negative effects can rain have specifically in Burgundy?
Back: Frequently disrupts flowering in early summer and harvest later in the year

Front: Which Burgundy grape is particularly susceptible to grey rot?
Back: Pinot Noir

Front: What is the climatic hazard particular to the Chablis area of Burgundy?
Back: Spring frosts

Front: How late can spring frosts appear in Chablis?
Back: May

Front: Other than frosts, what else can cause a large problem in Burgundy?
Back: Summer hail

Front: Where are the more basic, village level vineyards usually located in Burgundy?
Back: On flat sites or at the bottom of slopes

Front: Where are premier or grand cru vineyards of Burgundy often found?
Back: Mid-slope

Front: Name a beneficial climatic feature of a vineyard site being mid-slope rather than lower
Back: They are less prone to frost

Front: What additional locational feature do the very top Burgundy vineyards share?
Back: South or east facing exposure

Front: Other than light exposure, why is it beneficial for the best vineyards to be south or east facing?
Back: They are sheltered from prevailing westerly winds

Front: What is the soil type in Burgundy?
Back: The soils are very varied

Front: Why is there so much soil variation in Burgundy?
Back: A result of a large number of geological faults combined with gradual erosion

Front: What is the reason linked to subtle changes in wine-style in Burgundy?
Back: Variation in soil type

Front: How does soil quality vary dependant on topography?
Back: Soils on hillsides are shallower and better drainedSoil on flat land is deeper and more fertile

Front: What are the grapes used in Burgundy wine production?
Back: Pinot NoirChardonnayAligotéGamay

Front: What proportion of total vineyard area does Pinot Noir account for in Burgundy?
Back: Over a third

Front: Where in Burgundy is Pinot Noir grown?
Back: Throughout, but the most important plantings are in the Côte d'Or

Front: What flavours does Burgundian Pinot Noir typically express? Acidity and tannin?
Back: Red fruit flavours in youthEvolve into flavours of earth, game and mushroomHigh acidityLow to medium tannin
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: What flavours does Burgundian Pinot Noir typically express?

Front: Which practice has gradually become more popular in Burgundian vinification of Pinot Noir?
Back: The use of whole bunches

Front: How long is Pinot Noir typically aged in Burgundy's best wines?
Back: 16 to 18 months in barrel

Front: What are Pinot Noirs generally aged in in Burgundy?
Back: New oak for a period (though this does depend on the producer)

Front: What proportion of vineyard area in Burgundy does Chardonnay usually account for?
Back: Nearly half

Front: Describe the character of Chardonnay in Burgundy
Back: Steely and high acid in ChablisComplex and expressive in Côte d'Or Full bodied and riper in Mâcon

Front: Where was the modern style of premium Chardonnay production founded?
Back: Burgundy

Front: What are the four modern techniques used in Chardonnay production in Burgundy that now contribute to the world's most famous Chardonnays?
Back: Barrel fermentationBarrel ageing (6-9 months typically)MLF Lees stirring

Front: What is still in high debate when it comes to Burgundian vinification of Chardonnay?
Back: How much new oak ageing is appropriate The appropriate amount of toasting for barrels

Front: How long can the best Burgundian Chardonnay age for?
Back: Ten years or more

Front: What problem was discovered with Burgundian Chardonnays 15 years ago?
Back: They were not ageing as expectedSome were showing signs of premature oxidation

Front: What is the cause of the premature oxidation problem in Burgundy Chardonnays?
Back: It has not been identified definitively

Front: Describe the flavour profile of Aligoté
Back: White grape producing neutral wines with high acidity

Front: What kinds of wines can Aligoté produce?
Back: Usually neutral, but can produce high quality when grown on sites where it can ripen fully

Front: Why does Aligoté rarely produce quality wines in Burgundy?
Back: Appropriate sites are usually taken by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Front: Describe Gamay in Burgundy
Back: Early drinking redRipe berry fruitLow tannins

Front: What sort of appellations can Gamay be applied to?
Back: Some regional, but nothing higher

Front: Where is Chablis in Burgundy?
Back: In the valley of the river Serein (northernmost Burgundy)

Front: On what sort of aspect is the best Chablis usually planted?
Back: South-facing

Front: Some of the lesser Chablis vineyards are known as...
Back: Petit Chablis

Front: What is the major climatic problem in Chablis?
Back: Spring frosts

Front: How is Spring frost protected against in Chablis?
Back: With sprinklers and heaters

Front: How many grapes are permitted in Chablis?
Back: One (Chardonnay)

Front: Describe the aspect of basic, village level Chablis
Back: Grown on north-facing slopes and flatter land

Front: Describe the aspect of premier cru and grand cru sites in Chablis
Back: South facing hillsides

Front: Describe the flavours of Petit Chablis and Chablis
Back: They can be very austere with green fruit and high acidityBetter examples show riper fruit flavours

Front: Describe the flavours of Cru Chablis
Back: Riper, more concentrated fruit (citrus rather than green apple)More bodyHigh acidity

Front: Is Chablis oak aged?
Back: Some Cru producers age Chablis in old oak

Front: What is the effect of ageing Chablis in old oak?
Back: It gives a rounder texture and subtle flavours

Front: How may pure fruit flavours be retained in Chablis?
Back: By fermenting and storing wines in stainless steel or concrete

Front: Which hill/mountain range is nearby to the Côte d'Or? Where is it?
Back: The Massif CentralAlong the western limit

Front: What does the Massif Central provide in Burgundy?
Back: Favourable east and southeast facing hillside locations

Front: What is the Côte de Nuits best known for?
Back: Many of the fullest-bodied, longest-lived Pinot Noirs

Front: What is the Côte de Beaune best known for?
Back: The best Chardonnays in Burgundy

Front: Does the Côte de Beaune only produce Chardonnay?
Back: No, it can also produce reds in a fruitier style than those of Côte de Nuits

Front: How many of Burgundy's red Grand Crus are produced in the Côtes de Nuits?
Back: All but one

Front: How many of Burgundy's white Grand Crus are in the Côte de Beaune?
Back: All but one

Front: List the key villages of Côtes de Nuit, running from north to south with their key grands crus sites
Back: Gevrey-Chambertin (Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze)Vougeot (Clos de Vougeot)Vosne-Romanée (Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, La Romanée)Nuits Saint-Georges

Front: List the key villages of the Côtes-de-Beaune in order from north to south, with their Grands Crus
Back: Aloxe-Corton (Corton, Corton-Charlemagne)BeaunePommardVolnayMeursaultPuligny-Montrachet (Montrachet)Chassagne-Montrachet (Montrachet)

Front: What colour of wines do the key villages of Côtes de Beaune produce?
Back: Both (all except for Pommard and Volnay)

Front: What are the three Côtes de Beaune villages with the highest reputation?
Back: MeursaultPuligny-MontrachetChassagne-Montrachet

Front: What can qualify for Côtes de Nuits-Villages?
Back: A red or a white wineIt can be from any village that doesn't qualify as a more famous village appellation

Front: What can qualify as a Côte de Beaune Villages?
Back: It must be redIt can come from any one or several village appellations in Côte de Beaune (with some exceptions)

Front: Which regional appellations are to the west and at higher altitudes than the main strip of vineyards? Describe them
Back: Bourgogne Hauts Côtes de Nuits Bourgogne Hauts Côtes de BeauneTheir higher altitudes and greater exposure to wind gives them a cooler climate and wines with less body and concentration
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: Which regional appellations are to the west and at higher altitudes than the main strip of vineyards?

Front: Where is the Côte Challonaise?
Back: To the south of the Côte d'Or

Front: What are the main grapes of the Côte Challonaise?
Back: Chardonnay Pinot Noir

Front: Due to the...of the vineyards in the Côte Challonaise, harvest is...and...is less reliable
Back: LaterRipening

Front: Why are wines of the Côte Challonaise lighter and earlier to mature?
Back: Less vineyards tend to have an easterly aspect

Front: What are the four village appellations of the Côte Challonaise?
Back: RullyMercureyGivryMontagny

Front: Describe wines of Rully
Back: More wines are white than redAn important centre for sparkling production

Front: Describe the wines of Mercurey
Back: Red wines enjoy the highest reputation of the Challonaise

Front: Describe Givry and its wines
Back: High reputation red winesSmallest appellation of Challonaise

Front: Describe the wines of Montagny
Back: These are only white

Front: Describe the crus of the Challonaise
Back: All of the communes have premier cru vineyards, but no grands crus

Front: What is the regional appellation for the Côte Challonaise?
Back: Bourgogne Côte Challonaise

Front: What is the most widely planted grape of the Mâconnais?
Back: Chardonnay

Front: What is the principal red grape of the Mâconnais?
Back: Gamay (though some Pinot Noir is made)

Front: What is the regional appellation for the Mâconnais?
Back: Mâcon

Front: What colour is Mâcon?
Back: Red or white

Front: Describe the better white Mâcon wines
Back: Fresh apple or citrus fruitMedium acidityMedium to full bodySome possible creaminess from MLF

Front: Describe red Mâcon
Back: Light and fruityMade for early drinking

Front: Describe wines labelled Mâcon Villages or Mâcon followed by a village name
Back: More ripeness, body and character than Mâcon

Front: Which of the Mâcon Village wines has built up the biggest following?
Back: Lugny

Front: Which are the two most famous village appellations in The Mâconnais?
Back: Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran

Front: Describe the wines of the village appellations in the Mâconnais
Back: Ripe notes of tropical and stone fruitsMost matured for a time in barrel to enhance texture and add flavour

Front: Where are the grapes of the best wines of Mâconnais's best village appellations often planted?
Back: On the limestone slopes of the Roche de Solutré with east and southeast exposures

Front: What is unique about the shape of the vineyards on the Roche de Solutré that is good for the wines? What effect does it have on the wines?
Back: The slopes are amphitheatre-like and act as natural sun trapsProduces some of the richest and ripest Chardonnays in Burgundy

Front: How are the 'Solutré' wines of the Mâconnais often vinified?
Back: In oak, creating toasty flavours

Front: What is the hierarchy of Burgundy appellations based on?
Back: The quality of the vineyard sites

Front: What is the lowest rank in the burgundy appellation hierarchy?
Back: Regional appellations:Bourgogne RougeBourgogne Blanc

Front: Where do Burgundy's regional wines come from?
Back: Vineyards that do not have the right to a superior appellation Regions which have been declassified from a superior appellation

Front: Why may a Burgundy region be declassified?
Back: Excessive yieldsA quality minded producer may want to preserve the prestige of an appellation by not including lower-quality wines

Front: What grapes usually make up Bourgogne Rouge and Bourgogne Blanc?
Back: Pinot NoirChardonnay

Front: Name Burgundy's regional appellations which cover a slightly more restricted area
Back: Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de NuitsBourgogne Hautes Côtes de BeauneBourgogne Côte ChallonaiseMâconMâcon Villages

Front: What colour wines are from Mâcon?
Back: Red and white

Front: What colour wines are from Mâcon Villages?
Back: White only

Front: What is the next highest rank after regional appellations in Burgundy?
Back: Commune appellations

Front: Give two examples of commune appellations in Burgundy
Back: ChablisGevrey-Chambertin

Front: What proportion of production in Burgundy do commune appellations account for?
Back: About a third

Front: What else may appear on a Burgundy commune wine other than the commune name? Why?
Back: Vineyard nameIf the wine comes from a single vineyard and the vineyard is not a Cru

Front: What term is sometimes used in Burgundy instead of commune?
Back: Village

Front: What are the appellations in Burgundy above commune?
Back: Premier CruGrand Cru

Front: What are Cru vineyards?
Back: Vineyards that have consistently made high-quality wines

Front: What is a monopole?
Back: A vineyard which belongs to just one owner

Front: How are vineyards organised in Burgundy?
Back: They are divided between a number of different owners, each owning a different parcel of vines

Front: How many premiers crus are spread between Chablis, the Côte d'Or and the Challonaise?
Back: More than 600

Front: What fraction do the the premiers crus of northern Burgundy provide of Burgundy's total production?
Back: A tenth

Front: What may also appear on a premier cru label (other than premier cru)?
Back: The name of the vineyardIf the wine comes from a single vineyard

Front: When may there be no vineyard name on the label of a Burgundy premier cru vineyard?
Back: If the wine is a blend of wines from various premier cru vineyards within a village
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: When may there be no vineyard name on the label of a premier cru vineyard?

Front: What is the very top of the Burgundy appellation hierarchy?
Back: Grand Cru

Front: What is the percentage of total production of Burgundy's grand cru vineyards?
Back: Little more than 1%

Front: How many grand cru vineyards are there in Burgundy? Where are they?
Back: 33Côte d'Or and Chablis

Front: How can the grand cru wines of Burgundy be recognised?What else must appear?
Back: Only the vineyard appears on the label'Grand Cru'
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: How can the grand cru wines of Burgundy be recognised?