Burgundy Level 1 - Intro Sommelier

Here’s a concise and beginner-friendly guide to Burgundy to help you prepare for your Introductory Sommelier Course. Burgundy is one of the most important wine regions, and understanding its structure, grape varieties, and classifications is essential.

Key Topics to Study for Burgundy

1. Climatic Influences

• Continental Climate: Cool winters, warm summers, and potential frost risks.

• Microclimates: Varying conditions due to slope, aspect, and soil differences.

• Vintage Variation: Weather significantly impacts the quality of wines year to year.

2. AOP Districts and Locations

Burgundy is divided into five main districts:

1. Chablis (North): Known for Chardonnay.

2. Côte de Nuits: Famous for Pinot Noir.

3. Côte de Beaune: Produces both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

4. Côte Chalonnaise: Offers value wines, both red and white.

5. Mâconnais: Known for affordable Chardonnay.

3. Permitted Grape Varietals

• White: Chardonnay (primary), Aligoté (secondary).

• Red: Pinot Noir (primary), Gamay (in Beaujolais).

4. Soil Types

• Limestone and Marl: Ideal for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

• Clay: Found in lower slopes, producing fuller-bodied wines.

• Kimmeridgian: Unique to Chablis, giving wines their minerality.

5. Production and Ageing Techniques

• Traditional Methods: Hand-harvesting, small oak barrels for ageing.

• Macération Carbonique: Used in Beaujolais for fruity, light reds.

6. Quality Levels

Burgundy wines are classified into four levels:

1. Regional Appellations: Bourgogne AOP (entry-level wines).

2. Village Appellations: Wines from specific villages (e.g., Meursault, Gevrey-Chambertin).

3. Premier Cru: High-quality wines from specific vineyard sites.

4. Grand Cru: The highest quality, from the best vineyards (e.g., Montrachet, Romanée-Conti).

7. Districts and Wines of Chablis

• Chablis Quality Levels:

1. Petit Chablis

2. Chablis

3. Chablis Premier Cru

4. Chablis Grand Cru

• Style: Crisp, mineral-driven Chardonnay with no or minimal oak.

8. Principal Communes of the Côte d’Or

• Côte de Nuits (Pinot Noir-focused):

• Gevrey-Chambertin

• Chambolle-Musigny

• Vosne-Romanée

• Nuits-Saint-Georges

  Côte de Beaune (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir):

• Meursault

• Puligny-Montrachet

• Chassagne-Montrachet

• Pommard

• Volnay

9. Beaujolais Crus

• Located south of Burgundy, Beaujolais focuses on Gamay.

• 10 Crus (e.g., Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent) produce high-quality wines.

10. Labelling Terms

• Domaine: Estate-grown and bottled wine.

• Clos: Walled vineyard (e.g., Clos de Vougeot).

• Monopole: A vineyard owned by a single producer.

11. Structure of Trade

• Négociants: Merchants who buy grapes or wine to produce and sell under their label.

• Domaine Bottling: Producers who grow, vinify, and bottle their own wine.

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Tricky Quiz Questions for Burgundy

1. Which of the following is NOT a Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy?

• A) Montrachet

• B) Romanée-Conti

• C) Meursault

• D) Clos de Vougeot

1. True or False: The Côte de Nuits is primarily known for Chardonnay production.

2. Fill in the Blank: The primary grape varietal used in Beaujolais is _.

3. Match the Commune to the Grape Variety:

• A) Meursault

• B) Gevrey-Chambertin

• C) Puligny-Montrachet

• D) Vosne-Romanée

• 1) Pinot Noir

• 2) Chardonnay

1. Scenario-Based Question:
   A guest orders a bottle of Chablis Grand Cru. What characteristics should you describe to them about the wine?

• A) Full-bodied, oaky, and tropical.

• B) Light-bodied, crisp, and mineral-driven.

• C) Medium-bodied, fruity, and spicy.

• D) Sweet, rich, and nutty.

Tips for Remembering Burgundy

• Mnemonic for Côte d’Or Villages: "Great Chefs Prepare Very Nice Meals"
  (Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Puligny-Montrachet, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Meursault).

• Chablis = Chardonnay + Kimmeridgian Soil.

• Beaujolais = Gamay + Carbonic Maceration.