Wine Class January 20, 2015 French Connection I –

Intro, Chardonnay #1 and Bourgogne (Burgundy) Region (Chablis)

Clifton Wine & Tasting Room

7145 Main St, Clifton,

VA703-266-

1607

Major Wine

Regions of France:1. Bordeaux2. Champagne3. Burgundy 4. Beaujolais5. Loire Valley6. Alsace7. Rhone8. Languedoc-

Roussillon9. Provence10.Southwest (~)11.Jura12.Savoy13.Corsica

Wines of BurgundyBurgundy Characteristics:-Semi-continental climate (Atlantic and some Mediterranean influence)- Produces 6% of French wine (66%

White; 34% Red). Includes 102 AOCs about 25% AOC total (32 Grand Cru; 635 1st Cru)

- Stretches 140 Miles from North to South

Key Grapes:Pinot Noir, ChardonnayOthers: Aligoté, Gamay

Six Wine Producing Areas:Chablis and the Grand AuxerroisCôtes de Nuits (Mainly Reds)Côtes de Beaune (Mainly Whites; along with Cote de Nuits makes up the Cote d’Or)Côte Chalonnaise Macônnais (Mainly Whites)Châtillonnais (Cremant d Bourgogne)

Chablis: -Chardonnay grape (Great acidity & minerality)

- AOCs: Grand Cru (7 Climats or single

Vineyards); 1st Cru (89 Climats); Chablis and Petit Chablis

BurgundyWine Areas

Chablis Wine Area

French Wines “Background Information”

French Wine Classifications

AOC/AOPs

IGP (formerly Vin de Pays. Geographic

based, Winemaking Rules)

Most restrictive quality designation

Vins sans IG (wines without geographic indication

Formerly Table Wines)

Burgundy Labels

Almost 500 AOCs, includes:-Grand Cru (Listed highest distinction to lowest)-Premier Cru or 1st Cru -Villages-Regional

Grand Cru Labels: Vineyard (or Climate) only

1st Cru Labels- Vineyard and Village name

AOC: Appellation d’Orgine ContrôléeAOP: Appellation d’Origine Protégée

Types of Sherry

Some Varietals we will study for the French Connection Class