Burgundy wine: history, classification, production technology
In Burgundy, France, elite expensive drinks are produced, which true connoisseurs want to try. It is interesting that the French territory became famous not only in this capacity: in addition to wines, delicious Dijon mustard, famous gingerbread and liqueur are produced here.
But the fact remains: the first thing that comes to mind after the name of the territory is announced is Burgundy wines. Why are they so famous?
The first vineyards in Burgundy
Appeared in the VI century BC. Even then, local beverages, to the production of which the Romans and Catholic monks later contributed, began to gain popularity.
Later, it only grew stronger, surviving a temporary decline during the Great Depression and the World War.
Today, Burgundy wines include red and white wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as Aligote, Pinot Blanc, Gamay, and Sauvignon.
The popularity of the varieties used to make a wide variety of products (and not always of the highest quality) does not diminish the excellent characteristics of true French wines.
Features of Burgundy winemaking
The first thing that determines the sophistication of famous drinks is the area (or terroir) where the vine is grown.
In Burgundy, much attention is paid to soil preparation and cultivation.
Local winemakers make great efforts to obtain the best quality raw materials, combining ancient methods with modern technology (for example, heating the vineyards with generators).
The semi-continental climate only complements the efforts of hard-working owners, and sometimes hinders them, creating obstacles on the way to the goal.
The vineyards in this area are small and occupy no more than 5-6 hectares.
This feature, along with high technological production, distinguishes Burgundy from the equally famous Bordeaux wine region, where the volume of wine production is calculated in completely different figures.
The intimacy of local vineyards also determines a wide variety of flavors. Drinks made from the fruits of vines growing nearby can differ significantly from each other.
Eastern and southern slopes with chalky soils are considered the best for growing.
Classification of Burgundy wines
The wine center of the region is the city of Beaune, where most of the famous drinks are produced. And their category directly depends on the geographical location of the vineyards.
The classification is as follows:
Grand Cru
The labeling distinguishes the most valuable wines, which are highly valued and appreciated by collectors.
They are produced in the best wineries of the region: they make up only 2% of all farms.
The taste of the drinks can be briefly described as "divine".
Premiere Cru
Wines of excellent quality, which have slightly lower characteristics compared to the previous category, but also belong to the elite.
Village Wines
The literal translation sounds like "village wines", but this does not mean that the products are similar to drinks made at home.
These wines are made in the villages of Burgundy in compliance with all the technologies. The manufacturer indicates which of them it refers to on the label.
Despite the absence of the "highest quality" label, there is no doubt that it will be excellent in this case.
Among "rural" drinks, there are often truly unique finds.
Regional Wines
About half of the Burgundy wines are so designated. They are produced in different parts of the region from raw materials collected from any vineyards in Burgundy.
Their characteristics differ significantly: you can find products with great taste and simpler wines with a calm bouquet.
However, given that each of them is produced in the best wine region in the world, the word "simple" can hardly be taken to mean poor quality.
In addition to the above categories, the labels of Burgundy wines can be found with the inscription "domaine" or "propriate". It means that the drink was bottled by the owner of the vineyard.
Wine-growing regions
Taste properties of Burgundy wines directly depend on the territory of their production. Each region is famous for its own category of drinks, namely:
Chablis produces the best white wine with a fresh mineral flavor. For its preparation, mainly the Chardonnay variety is used.
Côte d'Or’Aur is considered the "heart" of Burgundy: it is known for the most expensive drinks from the "Grand Cru" category.
South of Dijon, almost all red wines of the "highest" class (elegant and strong) are produced, and near Beaune, some reds and most whites are produced. Drinks from these areas have a rich, "buttery" flavor.
Côte de Chalones is famous for its bright, tart drinks of both kinds.
Makone produces light light wines.
Beaujolais specializes in fruit drinks from the Gamay variety.
Coteau du Lyonnais supplies red, white and rosé wines.
Reds are characterized by intense fruity flavors, whites have a strict classic taste.
Production technologies
Each winemaker in Burgundy uses its own individual methods of processing raw materials in production, which determines a diverse palette of flavors, shades and aromas of finished drinks.
There are peculiarities of production in different wine regions. Therefore, it is not possible to describe the full production process of all wines.
We can only briefly dwell on the most important points.
Manual and machine technologies are used in the production of Burgundy drinks.
The former are more expensive, but also less productive: small batches of the most valuable wines are produced in this way.
The traditional manufacturing process includes:
Collection of raw materials, their sorting and purification (for drinks from the "Grand Cru" category, all operations at this stage are performed manually).
Pressing: the berries are carefully crushed and pressed in small parts in a wooden vessel in stages, monitoring the temperature and sugar content (it is very important that the mass does not overheat).
Settling and fermentation (the best wines are infused in oak barrels for two years, ordinary wines - about a year).
Aging and storage (the approximate period is 3-15 years, for higher-class wines - from 8 years and more).
Filtration and bottling.
The manufacturing process seems simple, but only at first glance. Local winemaking skillfully combines ancient traditions and modern technologies, which allows you to create real masterpieces of taste.
Update: 27.08.2018
Category: Wine and Vermouth