Burgundy is a French wine region known worldwide for its fine wines and unique terroirs, called "climats". Located in eastern France, between Dijon and Mâcon, it produces mainly red wines made from Pinot Noir and white wines made from Chardonnay, often considered benchmarks around the world.
The main regions and appellations of Burgundy
The Coast of Nights
Located in the north of Burgundy, the Côte de Nuits is renowned for its great red wines made from Pinot Noir. Some of the most prestigious appellations are found there:
- Gevrey-Chambertin : Nicknamed the "king of wines", this appellation produces robust and powerful wines. Among the most renowned vintages are Chambertin and Clos de Bèze .
- Vosne-Romanée : Considered the jewel of Burgundy, it is home to exceptional estates such as Romanée-Conti , whose wines are among the most expensive and sought-after in the world.
- Nuits-Saint-Georges : The wines of this appellation are often more structured and full-bodied, with excellent aging potential.
The Côte de Beaune
Further south, the Côte de Beaune is famous for its exceptional white wines, although some reds are also produced there:
- Meursault : Renowned for its rich, opulent white wines, Meursault produces Chardonnays with buttery, dried fruit aromas.
- Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet : These two villages produce some of the best Chardonnays in the world. Montrachet Grand Cru is often cited as the greatest dry white wine on the planet.
- Pommard and Volnay : These two appellations are known for their red wines; Pommard is more structured and tannic, while Volnay offers more elegant and delicate wines.
The Chalonnaise Coast
Less famous than its neighbors, the Côte Chalonnaise produces very good quality wines, often at more affordable prices:
- Mercurey : The largest appellation of the Côte Chalonnaise, it is renowned for its fruity and balanced red wines.
- Rully and Givry : These appellations mainly produce fresh and lively white wines, as well as supple and fruity reds.
The Mâconnais
Located in the south of Burgundy, the Mâconnais is a region renowned for its accessible and charming white wines, made from chardonnay:
- Pouilly-Fuissé : The most prestigious appellation of Mâconnais, producing generous and rich white wines, often compared to the best vintages of the Côte de Beaune.
- Saint-Véran : It produces dry and fresh white wines, with notes of citrus and white flowers, perfect for more immediate consumption.
Chablis
Further north in Burgundy, the Chablis region is famous for its elegant white wines, produced exclusively from Chardonnay. The limestone soils of Chablis give the wines a unique minerality:
- Chablis Grand Cru : There are seven grands crus in Chablis, of which Les Clos and Vaudesir are the most famous. These wines are renowned for their mineral tension and finesse.
- Chablis Premier Cru : These wines, a little more accessible than the Grands Crus, offer aromas of citrus fruits, white flowers and a refreshing acidity.
The emblematic grape varieties of Burgundy
In Burgundy, the expression of the terroir is essential, and the wines are often single-varietal, unlike Bordeaux which favors blending.
- Pinot Noir : The king of grape varieties in Burgundy red wines, it produces elegant and complex wines, marked by aromas of red fruits (cherry, raspberry) and, over time, more spicy and earthy notes.
- Chardonnay : A unique grape variety in the great white wines of Burgundy, it is distinguished by a great diversity of styles, ranging from the fresh and mineral wines of Chablis to the rich and opulent whites of the Côte de Beaune.
- Aligoté : Less prestigious than Chardonnay, Aligoté is used to produce fresh, light white wines, often consumed young.
Burgundy wine classifications
Burgundy has a strict hierarchy of appellations, based on the notion of terroir:
- Grands Crus : These are the most prestigious wines, produced on exceptional plots, such as Romanée-Conti, Le Montrachet or Clos de Vougeot.
- Premiers Crus : Just below the Grands Crus, these wines come from high-quality vineyards, such as the Premiers Crus of Chablis or Gevrey-Chambertin.
- Villages : Wines named after their village of origin, such as Pommard or Meursault, are already of excellent quality, while being more accessible.
- Regional : These wines carry broader appellations like Bourgogne Rouge or Bourgogne Aligoté , and offer a pleasant introduction to the region's wines.
In summary
Burgundy wines, whether red or white, are the pure expression of the terroir and the specific climate of each plot. Whether in prestigious appellations such as Gevrey-Chambertin or Chablis, or in lesser-known regions such as Mâconnais, Burgundy produces wines of character that seduce connoisseurs looking for elegance, finesse and a unique tasting experience.
