The Art of Burgundy Winemaking
In the Vineyard
- Yield control: Lower yields = more concentration - Organic/Biodynamic: Increasing rapidly - Hand harvesting: Mandatory for Grand Cru - Sorting: Fanatical selection of perfect grapesIn the Cellar
For Reds: - Partial or whole cluster fermentation debates - Natural yeasts increasingly common - Gentle extraction to preserve elegance - Judicious use of new oak (trending down)For Whites: - Barrel fermentation for complexity - Lees stirring (bâtonnage) for texture - Malolactic fermentation for richness - Balance between fruit and oak critical