Wine Quiz Quiz: Behold Burgundy Sep 13, 2019 1 of 11 RIGHT! WRONG! Burgundy is renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but what are other grapes that are allowed to be grown in parts of the region under appellation rules? Roussanne and Marsanne Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc Gamay, Aligoté, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and a few historical varieties Négrette, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Côt The heart of Burgundy and birthplace of some of the world's most cherished wines is the Côte d'Or. Though the etymology of the place name is uncertain, the modern translation "golden slope" is appropriate because … The best vineyards get plentiful sun exposure during the growing season, providing ideal conditions for ripening grapes Geological analysis found that it sits on a massive gold deposit, though the French government forbids mining under the vines The region is also famed for its honey, flowing down the hills like rivers of gold The stuff costs a lot The concept of terroir has long been strongly associated with Burgundy and its philosophy of wine, perhaps more than any other region. Why? The soil is simply better than anywhere else for growing grapes The climate is pernicious, which means that winemakers have to be extremely skilled to make even drinkable wine It began as a misspelling of "terror," as in, the fear instilled in local children during the region's annual harvesttime Festival des Fantômes The Cistercian monks that owned the vineyards in the Middle Ages were extremely rigorous about record-keeping when it came to their landholdings; even today, many wines come from parcels of vines as small as a few rows across In 1395, the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Bold, outlawed the Gamay grape entirely in the vineyards of his realm, declaring it "injurious to the human creature." What are some of the epithets he ascribed to the grape in his edict? Unworthy of either man or horse Vile and disloyal Like the eye of newt and toe of frog A grape fit for only the English Many people point to whole-cluster fermentation of Pinot Noir as characteristically Burgundian, though some producers disavow it. What is the motivation winemakers in Burgundy have to ferment the grape clusters on their stems? It can impart slightly woody, earthy notes and flavors like black tea and pepper Historically, it was easier—less work in the vineyard It can lend more texture and tannic structure to the final wine All of the above Burgundy lovers have increasingly been finding value and quality from regions outside the Côte d'Or. The Côte Chalonnaise is one—what's the name of its most prominent subregion, a source of accessibly priced Pinot Noir? La Région du Système Solaire Hauts-des-Vignes Mercurey Domaine de la Lune Biodynamic farming has firmly taken root in Burgundy in recent decades. Why are more winemakers across the region adapting some, if not all, of this philosophy? Burgundy may be an old region, but winemakers are open to new ideas, especially if they are potentially nourishing to the land Burgundy winemakers want to see what the most ridiculous vineyard practice is that people will copy The rigorousness of biodynamic winemaking techniques generally leads to more attention paid to every aspect of the viticultural process, which usually means better wine Both A and C One of the most famous producers in Burgundy—if not the world—is affectionately referred to as "DRC." What do the letters stand for? Domaines Relais et Châteaux Droit des Rois et le Créateur Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Domaine de Renoir et Chopin The titular character in which Shakespeare play invokes "the vines of France and the milk of Burgundy" while trying to persuade his daughter, Cordelia, to marry? Hamlet Merchant of Venice King Lear King of Queens Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris are actually the white grapes used in one small region in Burgundy. What's that appellation called? Pierres-Blancs St.-Bris Maison-des-Traîtes Champagne Top vintage Burgundies regularly command breathtaking prices at auction: A single bottle from the 1945 vintage was sold in December 2018 for a record $558,000. What was the bottle, and why was it special? Clos de Vougeot, supposedly purchased and cellared by FDR Domaine de la Romanée-Conti; the vintage is rare and the provenance was the cellar of esteemed vintner Robert Drouhin Domaine Leflaive, a bottle that was sketched on by Picasso when he visited the estate Domaine Leroy; it was the single bottle from that vintage saved and hidden from Nazi troops during the war Next Results Your score is Retake this quiz