The Burgundy wine region (Bourgogne in French) covers less than 30,000 hectares but, although it is small in size, its influence and recognition in the world of wine is immense.
Burgundy in France is home to some of the most sought-after and expensive wines in the world like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) or Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru, for example.
Burgundy is quite unique in that it is the only wine-growing region in the world with recognized climats: vine plots with their own microclimate and specific geological conditions, which have been carefully marked out and named over the centuries. In 2015, they were listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their outstanding universal value.
Between Auxerre and Mâcon, the Burgundy wine region is home to exactly 100 AOCs (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée: "Controlled Designation of Origin") which include some of the most prestigious French wines in the world. This wine-making region -incredibly well-suited to the production of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varieties- is sub-divided into six different wine-producing areas, each with highly distinctive characteristics that offer a true Burgundy wine tasting experience that is absolutely unique.
Chablis. One of the most internationally acclaimed Burgundy wine regions, Chablis is Chardonnay’s kingdom. It produces great dry, mineral white wines with a perfect balance between liveliness, dryness and acidity. Chablis has its own classification system for its wines: Chablis Grand Cru, Chablis Premier Cru, Chablis and Petit Chablis.
Côte de Nuits. Another one of the Burgundy wine regions, the Côte de Nuits (and the Hautes Côtes) mainly produces red wines. In fact, it is Pinot Noir paradise! Some of the most admired appellations across the globe are: Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, Clos de Tart, Clos Saint-Denis, Clos de Vougeot, Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Musigny, Charmes Chambertin as well as the Appellations Villages with Premiers Crus climats: Gevrey-Chambertin, Marsannay, Morey-Saint-Denis, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vosne-Romanée and Vougeot, among others.
Côte de Beaune. This Burgundy wine region’s vineyards are only a few hundred meters wide, yet they produce red (Pinot Noir) and white (Chardonnay) wines that are internationally renowned. Wine tasting in Beaune can be an incredible experience. Some local winemakers produce famous appellations from these two varietals typically used in the Bourgogne winegrowing region: (Grands Crus) Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet; as well as the Appellations Villages with Premiers Crus climats: Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Blagny, Chassagne-Montrachet, Chorey-les-Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte de Beaune Villages, Meursault, Pommard, Puligny-Montrachet and Volnay, among others.
The two Burgundy wine regions of Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune make up the Côte d’Or or Golden Slope.
Côte Chalonnaise (and the Couchois) is believed to be the birthplace of sparkling white Bourgogne wine (Crémant de Bourgogne) in the early 19th century. This Burgundy wine region is also home to some renowned appellations made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay or Aligoté.
Mâconnais. The southernmost of the Burgundy wine regions is nestled between two valleys, the Grosne and the Saône. Chardonnay represents 80% of all vines planted in the region and it is the grape of the celebrated Appellations Villages Pouilly-Fuissé.
Châtillonnais. 70km to the northwest of Dijon, this Burgundy wine region is almost exclusively dedicated to sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne wines available in both white and rosé.
Breathtaking valleys, impressive cliffs, sunny hill tops and outstanding wines are just some of the gifts the Burgundy wine region has in store for you. Come taste the wines of Burgundy and discover its exceptional terroirs and natural wonders by yourself!
