burgundy wines - climats, appellations, terroirs

Burgundy wines

Visit 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, including gastronomic traditions. the country.

Pour découvrir d’autres vins en 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.

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

Elles couvrent l’ensemble de la Bourgogne, et de vastes zones. On y trouve notamment :

  • Burgundy: A versatile appellation, producing red, white and rosé wines.
    Bourgogne Aligoté: Un vin blanc sec et vif, idéal à l’apéritif.
    Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains: A light, fruity red wine.
    Crémant de Bourgogne: A sparkling wine produced using the traditional method.

Appellations de Pays

Elles sont plus spécifiques et désignent des vins issus d’un seul village ou d’une petite région. On distingue :

  • The Côte de Nuits: Dominated by Pinot Noir, it produces powerful, complex red wines. (Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Chambolle-Musigny...)
  • The Côte de Beaune: Contains both red and white wines. Chardonnay produces elegant, complex white wines. (Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet...)
  • The Côte Chalonnaise: Offre un bon équilibre entre les vins rouges et blancs. (Rully, Mercurey, Givry…)
  • Mâconnais: Connu pour ses vins blancs fruités et accessibles. (Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran…)
  • Le Chablisien: Specializing in Chardonnay-based dry white wines 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 – une exception dans le paysage viticole en France : read our detailed article here

Les Climats de Bourgogne: A Unique World Heritage Site

Visit Burgundy Climats sont bien plus qu’une simple appellation viticole. Ils représentent un système parcellaire unique au monde, inscrit au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO depuis 2015.

Burgundy wines - the climats listed by UNESCO
Vins de Bourgogne – les climats inscrits à l’UNESCO

Qu’est-ce qu’un Climat ?

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 history stretching back thousands of years: Les Climats sont le fruit d’une longue histoire de viticulture, où l’homme a su s’adapter aux spécificités de chaque parcelle.
  • Ancestral know-how: Burgundy's winegrowers pass on their know-how from generation to generation, preserving the distinctive character of each Climat.

Why are Climats so important?

    • A cultural heritage: Les Climats sont un témoignage vivant de l’histoire et de la culture de la Bourgogne.
    • A guarantee of quality: Les Climats sont synonymes de vins d’exception, issus de terroirs d’exception.
    • A model of sustainable viticulture: La viticulture en Bourgogne est basée sur le respect de l’environnement et de la biodiversité.

How many climats are there in Burgundy?

On estime généralement qu’il existe several thousand Climats in Burgundy. The figures most often quoted range from between 1,200 and 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 numerous itineraries. You can :

  • Visit wineries: Taste the wines and meet the winemakers.
  • Hiking: Admire the vineyard landscapes and discover the different Climats.
  • Participate in events: Like wine festivals and grape harvests.

Burgundy Wines: Types and Characteristics

Red Wines

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

White Wines

Burgundy white wines are produced from the grape variety Chardonnay. They are distinguished by their great diversity, ranging from wines dry and mineral wines of Chablis to the richer and soft of the Côte de Beaune. Among the most famous are Montrachet and the 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-Conti A mythical red wine produced in very small quantities.
  • Montrachet : un vin blanc d’exception, riche et complexe.
  • Clos de Vougeot A 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

  • Chambertin : Un vin puissant et complexe, souvent décrit comme le “roi des vins”.
     
  • Chambertin-Clos de Bèze : Un vin structuré et élégant, avec des notes de fruits rouges et d’épices.
  • Chambolle-Musigny : Un vin d’une grande finesse, avec des arômes de fleurs et de fruits rouges.
     
  • Clos de la Roche A powerful, structured wine with silky tannins.
  • Clos Saint Denis : Un vin concentré et complexe, avec des notes de fruits noirs et d’épices.
  • Échezeaux : Un vin élégant et complexe, avec des arômes de fruits rouges et d’épices.
  • Grands-Échezeaux A powerful, structured wine with firm tannins.
  • Gevrey-Chambertin : Un vin puissant et structuré, avec des notes de fruits rouges et d’épices.
  • Griotte-Chambertin An elegant, complex wine with aromas of red fruit and flowers.
  • Latricières-Chambertin A powerful, structured wine with silky tannins.
  • Mazis-Chambertin : Un vin élégant et complexe, avec des arômes de fruits rouges et d’épices.
  • Mazoyères-Chambertin A powerful, structured wine with firm tannins.
  • Morey-Saint-Denis : Un vin élégant et complexe, avec des arômes de fruits rouges et d’épices.
  • Nuits-Saint-Georges : Un vin puissant et structuré, avec des notes de fruits rouges et d’épices.
  • Richebourg : Un vin concentré et complexe, avec des notes de fruits noirs et d’épices.
  • Romanée-Conti : Considered one of the world's most prestigious wines, it offers exceptional aromatic complexity.
     
  • Romanée-Saint-Vivant A powerful, structured wine with silky tannins.
  • Ruchottes-Chambertin : Un vin élégant et complexe, avec des arômes de fruits rouges et d’épices.
  • Vosne-Romanée : Un vin d’une grande finesse, avec des arômes de fleurs et de fruits rouges.

Côte de Beaune

  • Corton : Un vin puissant et structuré, avec des notes de fruits rouges et d’épices.
  • Corton-Charlemagne : Un vin blanc d’une grande complexité, avec des arômes de fruits blancs et de minéraux.
     
  • Charlemagne : Un vin blanc d’une grande finesse, avec des arômes de fruits blancs et de fleurs.
  • Chevalier-Montrachet : Un vin blanc d’une grande complexité, avec des arômes de fruits blancs et de minéraux.
  • Montrachet : Considéré comme le “roi des vins blancs”, il offre une complexité aromatique exceptionnelle.
  • Bâtard-Montrachet : Un vin blanc d’une grande finesse, avec des arômes de fruits blancs et de fleurs.
  • Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet : Un vin blanc d’une grande complexité, avec des arômes de fruits blancs et de minéraux.
  • Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet : Un vin blanc d’une grande finesse, avec des arômes de fruits blancs et de fleurs.
  • Clos de Vougeot : Un vin puissant et structuré, avec des notes de fruits rouges et d’épices.
     
  • Clos de Tart : Un vin concentré et complexe, avec des notes de fruits noirs et d’épices.
  • Clos des Lambrays A powerful, structured wine with silky tannins.
  • Puligny-Montrachet : Un vin blanc d’une grande finesse, avec des arômes de fruits blancs et de fleurs.

Chablis

  • Chablis Grand Cru : Un vin blanc sec et minéral, avec des notes de fruits blancs et d’agrumes.

Exceptional Years for Burgundy Wines

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

Traditions around Wine and Gastronomy 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

Visit cheese is a must in Burgundy. Le Chaource cheesethe Brillat-Savarin and theÉpoisses are cheeses that go perfectly with the region's white and red wines.

Meat and Charcuterie

Burgundy is also famous for its meats and cold meats. Bœuf bourguignon, cooked in red wine, is an emblematic dish. Marbled 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 sweet.

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.

Quels plats traditionnels s’accordent avec les vins de Bourgogne ?

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

Conclusion

Visit Burgundy wines represent an incomparably rich wine 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 specific characteristics of Burgundy wines, please consult this Wikipedia page dedicated to Burgundy wines. here.

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