How quickly everything changes in this world!Even some twenty years ago we could only read about the wines of Burgundy from pre-revolutionary classics. Now in any large supermarket or restaurant there is a rather large selection of these world famous drinks. True, over the decades of Soviet power, cultural traditions associated with French wines have been lost in Russia. Therefore now their inquisitive fans have to fill the gaps of knowledge in this field.
Not a winemaking region at all
Бургундии, исторической области Франции, мир owe much. Indeed, here invented photography, cinematography, reading the heads of compact discs, here Gustav Eiffel was born. Gourmets appreciate Burgundy for Dijon mustard, gingerbread, liqueur "Cream de Cassis" and, of course, first-class wines.
Although in all respects this geographicalthe region, it would seem, is absolutely not suitable for winemaking. Nevertheless, according to Denis Du Bordier, professor of oenology, it is on the border of the cold and warm climate that great wines appear. And Burgundy in this regard can be considered a clear example.
Soil-climatic factors and weather conditionsthe region is constantly challenging local winemakers. Some of them even have to use thermal generators in their vineyards. Thus, Burgundy wines are the result of selfless labor and the love of local people to their land.
Glorious traditions
Despite the difficult climatic conditions,winemaking in Burgundy has been engaged for a long time. A significant role in the development of this branch of agriculture was made by the abbeys of Benedictines and Cistercians. In the Middle Ages, the monks were not only brought out some of the now famous grape varieties, but also developed many techniques of winemaking. In other words, Burgundy is not least obliged to world fame to inventive holy fathers.
For a long time the production of local winemakerswas supplied only to the French market. Imported in small quantities of it became only a few centuries ago. The wine of Burgundy in Russia first came in the 16th century. and was called "Romanea".
Modern production
Today, the region's wine capital iscity of Bon. The same Burgundy can not be called a major producer of alcoholic beverages. Here, only 3% of French commercial wines are produced. At the same time, 70% of the harvest, collected by 4200 producers, bottles 150 non-cyanants.
Wine-making estates are called "propriete" or "domeynami". If the vineyard is the property of one owner, then on the label of the wine you can find the designation Monopole.
Burgundy is the northernmost European region, where decent red wines are produced. The main grape varieties used for the production of both red and white wines are as follows:
- Pinot Noir.
- "Chardonnay".
- "Gamet".
- "Aligote".
- Sauvignon Blanc.
Systematization of the great wines of Burgundy
The first classification of the region was carried out in1861 year. However, after the introduction of a nationwide system of appeals in 1935, the systematization of Burgundy wines was changed. Under appellation is understood the geographical area where grapes were grown, as well as established rules for the production of wine.
Today the best vineyards of the region are called "Grand Cru" and "Premi-Crus". They are followed by regional or municipal appellation. Sparkling Burgundy wines have their own name - Cremant de Bourgogne.
The most famous regional appellations, where about 64% of all Burgundian wines are produced, is:
- Bourgogne Aligote.
- Macon Villages.
- Coteaux Bourguignons.
In Burgundy there are several large wine-growing subregions:
- Chablis and Gran Auxerrois.
- Cote de Beaune.
- Cote de Nuits.
- Chatillon.
- Macone.
- Cote Shalonez and Koshua.
It is here that most of the best wines of Burgundy are produced, with which we will get acquainted below.
Chablis
This subregion is probably best known inRussia, since the XVIII century. Usually, dry wines with characteristic mineral tones are produced here, since the soils of Chablis are rich in limestone. Four appellations produce 23% of all Burgundy wines:
- "Petty Chablis" is best used two years after harvest as an aperitif.
- Wines of the appellation Chablis are recommended to drink after 2-3 years. They are perfectly combined with almost all dishes.
- On the 40 best plots of Chablis, Prime Cre is growing grapes, from which wine is produced, which is best suited for salads from fish or seafood.
- Finally, the Chablis Appellation Grand Prix, wherethe most expensive alcoholic beverages of the region are produced. Thus, at the Stockholm auction in 2011, 12 bottles of the 1983 Chablis Le Clo Grand Cru harvest were sold for 3,000 dollars.
For wines from Chablis, the harvest year is of great importance. According to experts, the best in this respect are the millesimas of 2002, 2005 and 2010.
Cote de Bon
Wines produced in this subregion,are exported to many countries. For example, "Monrasche" with a slight nutty taste is considered, and not without reason, one of the best in the world. He was appreciated by Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Dumas, and nowadays a box of this white wine from Burgundy (harvest 1990) was sold at auction Sotheby's for 62 thousand dollars.
The flourishing commune of Merso is cultivated inmostly grape variety "Chardonnay". The wines are produced here since Christmas of 1098, that is, almost a thousand years. Enologists, experts in the field of winemaking, give them an unexpected characteristic: oily, fleshy and with a rich taste.
In addition to whites, the Côte deand red wines. Appellation Pommar is known for his strong, structured wines from the Pinot Noir variety. From it, in the Apellation Volney, on the contrary, they produce elegant, refined alcoholic beverages.
Cote de Nuits
13% of Burgundy wines are bottled right here.They are distinguished by a deep color and a subtle taste. Wines from the Cote de Nuits were loved by Napoleon Bonaparte and Charles de Gaulle. Even relatively young drinks of this region cause a stir among connoisseurs. For example, in 2012, six bottles of the 2005 harvest were auctioned at Christie's for $ 20,000.
Although the monopoly of La Romana- one of the smallest appellations of France, the wines produced here are considered the most expensive and rare in the world. And it is not surprising, because only 300 boxes are produced per year.
Соседний Романе-Конти знаменит тем, что некогда its owner was the Prince de Conti, who fought for the right to own it with the Marquis de Pompadour, a favorite of Louis XV. Today the production of this monopoly vineyard is highly valued. So, in 2013, a record amount of $ 1.6 million was paid for a collection of Romana-Conti wines (114 bottles).
Makone
It is the largest and at the same time the most southernwine region of Burgundy. Almost 80% of its territory is occupied by vineyards of the classic Chardonnay variety. The tradition of white wine production has deep roots in Macon. The first local winemakers can be considered the monks of the Abbey of Cluny, founded in 909.
Beaujolais
Молодой игристый напиток "Божоле" приобрел truly world-wide fame, after, since 1951, an annual celebration is held in his honor. And today, at the end of November, the wine of the new crop is tasted not only in France, but also in other countries. For example, in Russia the celebration of young wine has been officially celebrated since 1999.
"Beaujolais Nouveau" - red wine of Burgundy, whichproduced in the amount of approximately 40 million bottles per year. Strange as it may seem, the Japanese are the world leaders in its consumption. They drink about a third of the crop.
The popularity of Beaujolais Nouveau is natural, since the noble drink is fresh, pleasant softness and the ability to quench thirst well.
Eno-etiquette
Professionals assure that wine should be drunk from glasses specifically designed to drink a particular variety. So their multifaceted aroma is fully revealed.
Glasses for Burgundy wines have a volume of about 700 mland in shape resemble a large apple. Due to the wide area of contact of the drink with oxygen, its various flavor notes interact as much as possible, fully revealing the aroma and exquisite taste. At the same time, the increased acidity of Burgundian wines is compensated by the wide rim of the glass.
