burgundy wines - climats, appellations, terroirs

Burgundy wines

Burgundy wines are world-renowned for their exceptional quality, diversity and aromatic richness. Produced in one of the world's most prestigious wine-growing regions, these wines reflect Burgundy's unique terroir. This comprehensive guide reveals the secrets of these wines, from appellations to grands crus, as well as the gastronomic traditions traditions.

To discover other wines in France, read our full article here.

Burgundy Wines: A Millennial Heritage

Burgundy, with its temperate climate and varied soils, offers ideal conditions for viticulture. The region is subdivided into several sub-regions, each with its own geological and climatic characteristics that influence the wines produced.

To find out more about the Burgundy region, read our detailed article here.

Terroirs and Appellations in Burgundy

Burgundy is divided into five major wine-growing sub-regions:

  1. Chablis
  2. Côte de Nuits
  3. Côte de Beaune
  4. Côte Chalonnaise
  5. Mâconnais

Each sub-region is itself made up of different appellations, classified into four levels:

Regional appellations

They cover the whole of Burgundy, and vast areas. They include

  • Bourgogne: A versatile appellation, producing red, white and rosé wines.
    Bourgogne Aligoté: A dry, lively white wine, ideal as an aperitif.
    Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains: A light, fruity red wine.
    Crémant de Bourgogne: A sparkling wine produced using the traditional method.

Appellations de Pays

They are more specific and designate wines from a single village or small region. A distinction is made between :

  • Côte de Nuits: Dominated by Pinot Noir, this region produces powerful, complex red wines (Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Chambolle-Musigny...).
  • Côte de Beaune: Contains both red and white wines. Chardonnay produces elegant, complex white wines (Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet...)
  • Côte Chalonnaise: Offers a good balance between red and white wines (Rully, Mercurey, Givry...).
  • Mâconnais: Known for its fruity, accessible white wines (Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran...)
  • Chablisien: Specialized in dry white wines made from Chardonnay grapes, ranging from mineral to fruity (Chablis, Petit-Chablis...).

Village appellations

They correspond to specific communes, such as Gevrey-Chambertin or Meursault.

  • Premiers Crus: parcels of vineyards with recognized qualities, such as Pommard Premier Cru.
  • Grands Crus: the most prestigious wines, such as Romanée-Conti or Montrachet.

To sum up, here is a list of the main appellations in Burgundy

Here is a non-exhaustive list of the main appellations in Burgundy:

  • Chablis (Chablis, Petit Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru, Chablis Grand Cru)
  • Côte de Nuits (Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vosne-Romanée)
  • Côte de Beaune (Pommard, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet)
  • Côte Chalonnaise (Mercurey, Givry, Rully)
  • Mâconnais (Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran, Mâcon)

Les Hospices de Beaune - an exception in France's winegrowing landscape: read our detailed article here

Les Climats de Bourgogne: A Unique World Heritage Site

The Burgundy Climats are much more than just a wine appellation. They represent a parcel-based system that is unique in the world, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015.

Burgundy wines - the climats listed by UNESCO
Burgundy wines - the climats listed by UNESCO

What is a Climate?

A Climate in Burgundy refers to a parcel of vines that has been precisely delimited and named, often for centuries. Each Climat has unique geological, hydrometric and exposure characteristics that directly influence the quality and character of the wine produced.

  • A specific terroir: Each Climat has its own soil, sun exposure and microclimate, giving the wine a unique taste identity.
  • A thousand years of history: Climats are the fruit of a long history of viticulture, in which man has adapted to the specific characteristics of each plot.
  • Ancestral know-how: Burgundy winegrowers hand down their know-how from generation to generation, preserving the typical character of each Climat.

Why are Climats so important?

    • A cultural heritage: The Climats are a living testimony to Burgundy's history and culture.
    • A guarantee of quality: Climats are synonymous with exceptional wines from exceptional terroirs.
    • A model of sustainable viticulture: Viticulture in Burgundy is based on respect for the environment and biodiversity.

How many climats are there in Burgundy?

It is generally estimated that there are several thousand Climats in Burgundy. The figures most often quoted range from 1,200 to 1,800.

Climats and Grands Crus

All of Burgundy's Grands Crus come from Climats. However, not all Climats are Grands Crus. Grands Crus represent the elite of Climats, those that produce the most prestigious and sought-after wines.

Visit the Climats de Bourgogne

The Climats de Bourgogne region can be explored on a number of itineraries. You can :

  • Visit wineries: Taste the wines and meet the winemakers.
  • Hiking: To admire the vineyards and discover the different Climats.
  • Participate in events: such as wine festivals or grape harvests.

Burgundy Wines: Types and Characteristics

Red Wines

Burgundy red wines are mainly made from Pinot Noir grapes. This variety produces elegant wines with red fruit aromas and fine tannins. Red wines from the Côte de Nuits are among the most famous, with crus such as Romanée-Conti and Chambertin.

White Wines

Burgundy white wines are produced from the Chardonnay grape. They range from the drymineral wines of Chablis to the richer, mellower wines of Côte de Beaune. Among the most famous are Montrachet and Meursault.

Rosé Wines

Although fewer in number, rosé wines are also produced in Burgundy. These wines, called rosés or sometimes grayare generally fresh and light, perfect for summer meals.

Exceptional Wines and Grands Crus of Burgundy

Burgundy boasts 33 Grands Crus, whose wines are among the most expensive and sought-after in the world. Here are some of the most prestigious:

  • Romanée-ContiA legendary red wine produced in very small quantities.
  • MontrachetAn exceptional white wine, rich and complex.
  • Clos de Vougeota red Grand Cru much appreciated for its power and depth.

The 33 Grands Crus of Burgundy

Burgundy's Grands Crus represent the pinnacle of the region's wine hierarchy. Produced from exceptional plots of land, these wines offer unrivalled complexity and finesse.

Côte de Nuits

  • ChambertinA powerful, complex wine, often described as the "king of wines".
  • Chambertin-Clos de BèzeA structured, elegant wine with notes of red fruit and spices.
  • Chambolle-MusignyA wine of great finesse, with aromas of flowers and red fruits.
  • Clos de la RocheA powerful, structured wine with silky tannins.
  • Clos Saint DenisA concentrated, complex wine, with notes of black fruit and spices.
  • ÉchezeauxAn elegant, complex wine with aromas of red fruits and spices.
  • Grands-ÉchezeauxA powerful, structured wine with firm tannins.
  • Gevrey-ChambertinA powerful, structured wine with notes of red fruit and spices.
  • Griotte-ChambertinAn elegant, complex wine with aromas of red fruit and flowers.
  • Latricières-ChambertinA powerful, structured wine with silky tannins.
  • Mazis-ChambertinAn elegant, complex wine with aromas of red fruits and spices.
  • Mazoyères-ChambertinA powerful, structured wine with firm tannins.
  • Morey-Saint-DenisAn elegant, complex wine with aromas of red fruits and spices.
  • Nuits-Saint-GeorgesA powerful, structured wine, with notes of red fruit and spices.
  • RichebourgA concentrated, complex wine, with notes of black fruits and spices.
  • Romanée-ContiConsidered one of the world's most prestigious wines, it offers exceptional aromatic complexity.
  • Romanée-Saint-VivantA powerful, structured wine with silky tannins.
  • Ruchottes-ChambertinAn elegant, complex wine with aromas of red fruits and spices.
  • Vosne-RomanéeA wine of great finesse, with aromas of flowers and red fruit.

Côte de Beaune

  • CortonA powerful, structured wine, with notes of red fruit and spices.
  • Corton-CharlemagneA white wine of great complexity, with aromas of white fruits and minerals.
  • CharlemagneA white wine of great finesse, with aromas of white fruits and flowers.
  • Chevalier-MontrachetA white wine of great complexity, with aromas of white fruits and minerals.
  • MontrachetConsidered the "king of white wines", it offers exceptional aromatic complexity.
  • Bâtard-MontrachetA white wine of great finesse, with aromas of white fruits and flowers.
  • Bienvenues-Bâtard-MontrachetA white wine of great complexity, with aromas of white fruits and minerals.
  • Criots-Bâtard-MontrachetA white wine of great finesse, with aromas of white fruits and flowers.
  • Clos de VougeotA powerful, structured wine, with notes of red fruit and spices.
  • Clos de TartA concentrated, complex wine, with notes of black fruits and spices.
  • Clos des LambraysA powerful, structured wine with silky tannins.
  • Puligny-MontrachetA white wine of great finesse, with aromas of white fruits and flowers.

Chablis

  • Chablis Grand CruA dry, mineral white wine with notes of white fruit and citrus.

Exceptional Years for Burgundy Wines

Some years have been particularly remarkable for Burgundy wines. Among recent vintages, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2018 are often cited as benchmarks for quality.

Wine and food traditions in Burgundy

Burgundy is not only famous for its wines, but also for its gastronomy. The region's traditional dishes go perfectly with the local wines.

Cheeses

The cheese is a must in Burgundy. Chaource Cheese, Brillat-Savarin andÉpoisses are cheeses that go perfectly with the region's white and red wines.

Meat and Charcuterie

Burgundy is also famous for its meats and delicatessen. Beef bourguignon, cooked in red wine, is an emblematic dish. Blue-veined hams and andouillettes are also local specialties that go well with Burgundy wines.

FAQ about Burgundy wines

What are the best Burgundy wines?

Burgundy's finest wines include Grands Crus such as Romanée-Conti, Montrachet and Clos de Vougeot.

What's the difference between a red and a white Burgundy wine?

Red wine is mainly made from Pinot Noir, while white wine is produced from Chardonnay. Reds are often more tannic, while whites can be dry or mellow.

What are Burgundy's grands crus?

Burgundy boasts 33 Grands Crus, including Romanée-Conti, Montrachet and Chambertin.

What are the best vintages for Burgundy wines?

The 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2018 vintages are particularly renowned for the quality of Burgundy wines.

What traditional dishes go well with Burgundy wines?

Beef bourguignon, marbled ham and cheeses such as Époisses are perfect matches for Burgundy wines.

Conclusion

Burgundy wines represent an incomparably rich viticultural heritage. Whether you're a red, white or rosé wine enthusiast, you're sure to find a Burgundy wine to match your expectations. These wines, from an exceptional terroir, go wonderfully well with local gastronomy, creating unforgettable food and wine pairings. To find out more about the history and specificities of Burgundy wines, you can consult this dedicated Wikipedia page here.

Don't forget to visit the other articles on the blog to explore the riches of France and its wine regions.

EN
FR DE EN