The Wine History and Terroir Tale: Burgundy's Fascinating Landscape and Vintage Yarn
On a Vino Journey with Burgundy's Wine Whiz, Jean-Pierre Renard
Hey there, wine enthusiasts! Buckle up as we embark on a captivating exploration of the world-famous Burgundy wine region, guided by the esteemed Jean-Pierre Renard, a Burgundy wine expert whose knowledge is only matched by his passion.
Marie Tesson, founder and CEO of our esteemed platform, has crafted a network of experts showcasing France's rich cultural heritage, and we're incredibly blessed to have Jean-Pierre on board. He takes us on an enticing expedition into the complexities of winemaking, with a focus on the mystical concept of terroir.
Terroir: The Soul of Burgundy
Terroir: What's the Dish?
Jean-Pierre clarifies that Burgundy's terroirs are a delightful blend of nature and human elements, including soil, climate, topography, and craftsmanship, working together to create a wine's distinctive profile. Each tiny parcel of land possesses its unique identity, resulting in approximately 60,000 different wines each year.
Nature's Magic and Human Touch
The character of the soil and underlying strata, which may vary within a single village, plays a significant role. Factors like drainage, exposure, altitude, rainfall, and temperature shape the vines' quality and maturity. Humans intervene by carefully managing the vineyards, winemaking, and aging processes, and any modifications to these practices can markedly impact the final product.
AOC: Terroir's Voice
AOC: Rising from the Earth
Tracing its roots back to medieval times, the AOC system mirrors Burgundy's terroir, functioning as its voice. From the 15th century onwards, reference to the plural form of "wines" became standard, instead of simply referring to the location itself. By the late 19th century, after the devastation of vineyards by phylloxera and increased fraudulent activities, the AOC system was established to preserve the integrity of wines from specific areas.
Fragmented yet Fabulous: AOC Classification
Regional, Village, and Grand Cru
The AOC classification functions like a progressive zoom, offering glimpses of the wine's origin at increasing levels of detail. The system encompasses regional appellations, village appellations, and Grand Cru. Grand Cru wines hailing from single, highly limited plots like Chambertin represent around 2% of production and are often regarded as the finest wines.
WWII: A Game-Changer for AOC Classification
During World War II, the demarcation line drawn after Buxy led to the southern part of Burgundy, including the Maçonnais, remaining in the free zone, while the Germans confiscated wines from the northern regions. In response, the wine authorities created a new level within the village appellations, called Premier Cru, to protect wines from abuses.
Terroir Champions
The Voice of Burgundy
Burgundian winemakers have led the charge for terroir-driven winemaking, inspiring other regions like Champagne. Minimal intervention is key to letting the terroir speak through the wine. Vinification techniques are tailored to each terroir, focusing on factors like tannin softness, maturity, acidity, and freshness, while aging methods are chosen between stainless steel tanks and oak barrels.
Label Code-Breaking
AOC: Not Just a Label
Deciphering a Burgundy wine label can be tricky, as the information isn't always immediately apparent. Understanding the terroir helps consumers predict the wine's style and character, making it easier to find a wine that aligns with their taste preferences.
As our conversation winds down, Jean-Pierre mentions some of his favorite, spellbinding terroirs, including Pernand-Vergelesses Sous Frétille, Chevalier-Montrachet, and Musigny.
So, there you have it, wine connoisseurs! Join us again as we continue to delve into the intriguing world of Burgundy wines and the enchanting concept of terroir with Marie Tesson and Jean-Pierre Renard!
- Discovering the links between nature and human craftsmanship, Jean-Pierre emphasizes that Burgundy's terroirs are a unique fusion of factors like soil, climate, and vineyard management, resulting in approximately 60,000 different wines each year.
- To protect the integrity and authenticity of Burgundy wines, the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) system was introduced, functioning as the voice of terroir by designating wine regions, villages, and Grand Cru plots with specific characteristics.
- As consumers, understanding the terroir can help us predict the style and character of a Burgundy wine, making it easier to find a wine that aligns with our taste preferences when deciphering the intricate Burgundy wine labels.
