Burgundy

Burgundy wines

Burgundy is considered the world's finest terroir for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. That's why some of its wines are among the most famous and expensive on the market. We say some, because the region is also home to tasty wines sold at affordable prices. To better understand what makes the wines of this region so fascinating, in this guide we'll look at the quality of Burgundy's terroir, the classification of its vineyards, its many appellations and its main producers

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A look back at the history of Burgundy's terroir

Located about two hours southeast of Paris, the Burgundy wine region accounts for just 3% of French wine production. It may be small in area, but its influence on the world of wine is enormous. This basic guide would be incomplete without an explanation of the formation of the region's limestone and marl soils, which make it so complex. Millions of years ago, Burgundy was part of a vast tropical sea. Time then transformed the seabed to make way for the soils that give Burgundy wines their unique minerality and aromatic complexity. The history of wine in this region goes back to the dawn of time, to around 50 BC. Over the centuries and generations, Celts, Romans, Benedictine monks and the Dukes of Burgundy have developed the terroir and flavors of Burgundy wines. Two main grape varieties are grown in Burgundy: Pinot Noir for white wine and Chardonnay for red wine. The quality of the terroir is so important in the creation of Burgundy wines that vineyards are classified into 4 levels according to the character of their plot for viticulture. One of these classifications is indicated on the bottle label

-Grand Cru: this classification is reserved for the best vineyards. Only 2% of Burgundy wines, such as Corton-Charlemagne, Montrachet, Charmes-Chambertin, Romanée-Conti, etc., are worthy of this distinction.

-Premier cru: these are still wines produced from vineyards of exceptional quality, but of a slightly lower quality than the grands crus. These rather expensive wines represent around 12% of Burgundy wines. For example, Morey Saint-Denis 1er cru, Pommard 1er cru...

-Vins de village: these are village wines grown in vineyards located in one of Burgundy's 42 villages. They account for 36% of Burgundy wines. For example, Meursault, Gevrey-Chambertin, Puligny-Montrachet, Beaune, Pommard...

-Regional wines: these are wines with the lowest classification level. They come from a combination of vineyards in several Burgundy villages. They are all fresh and fruity. These wines are labeled simply as "Burgundy wines". They account for 50% of the wines produced in Burgundy. Regional appellations include Coteaux bourguignons, Bourgogne Aligoté, Maçon Village, Bourgogne Côtes-de-Beaune...

With these classifications, we mustn't forget that even a regional wine deserves to be appreciated because it's produced in one of the world's finest wine-growing regions. That's why we sell a wide range of wines, from the great Burgundies to the most expensive and affordable. They're all great buys, perfect for special occasions or a bottle to drink every day

The many appellations of Burgundy wines

Burgundy's wine-growing regions are divided into five main areas: Chablis, Côte des Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais, not forgetting Beaujolais and Châtilonnais. There are currently 44 local appellations in Burgundy. Each wine bears the name of the village in which it is produced. Appellations are classified according to delimitation, yield, minimum natural harvest and grape variety. Here is a non-exhaustive list of Burgundy wine appellations and their specific characteristics

-Morey Saint-Denis: This appellation is one of the village's premier crus. The vineyard's eastern exposure enables the crop to produce full-bodied, fleshy red wines that are feminine, subtle, elegant and complex. Most of the vineyards in this commune are planted with Pinot Noir, but there are also a few plots of Chardonnay.

-Aloxe corton: this communal Burgundy AOC is located on the Corton mountain. The appellation boasts 14 premier crus, mainly powerful, flavorful red wines.

-Auxey Duresses: this wine-growing commune in the village of Auxey produces bright ruby, almost purplish-colored red premiers crus with floral and undergrowth aromas, and clear, crystalline white wines reminiscent of lemon or reinette apple.

-Chablis: Chablis Grand Cru from the Chablis wine-growing region benefits from the AOC appellation. The region produces white wines with a green-gold color, mineral flinty aromas and balanced notes of fruit, flowers, citrus and undergrowth. The wine leaves an aftertaste of mushroom or gunflint.

-Chambolle-Musigny: This dry red wine is produced in the Côte de Nuits region. Designated "premier cru" and "AOC", this brick-red or ruby-red wine has a nose of violets and red fruits, leaving rich, complex, fleshy and fine flavors on the palate.

-Gevrey-Chambertin: This terroir is located north of the Côte des Nuits, south of Dijon. The appellation includes 9 grands crus, 26 premiers crus and village appellations. These single-varietal red wines made from Pinot Noir are powerful, full-bodied wines with good acidity and fine tannins.

-Meursault: This AOC wine appellation is located in the heart of the Côte de Beaune. It boasts a number of outstanding Premier Crus, including Charmes, Genévrières and others. The white wine reveals explosive aromas of dried flowers, butter, citrus, fern and impressive structure on the palate. It leaves a long, mineral finish. As for the red, it's a wine of great elegance and finesse.

-Nuits Saint-G eorges: AOC Nuits Saint-Georges includes a number of premier crus. Red wines from this appellation have a luminous purple color, with notes of rose and licorice, and aromas of truffle, fur and game. On the palate, this wine is consistent, full-bodied and tannic. Some Premier Crus can be quite sweet in temperament.

-AOC Puligny-Montrachet: the village of Puligny is home to 4 Grand Cru appellations and wines classified as Premier Cru and Village. The white wine has a golden-green sheen and suggests mineral, buttery, floral (fern) and ripe fruit (grape) or green fruit (lemongrass, green apple) aromas. On the palate, it reveals concentrated flavors. Red wine, on the other hand, has a limpid color, a nose of red berries and notes of musk and fur with age. Red wine has a soft, fruity taste.

-Vosne-romanée: this wine region is famous for its 8 grands crus. AOC Vosné romanée also includes 14 premier crus and village appellations. This appellation produces wines with a ruby to dark purple color, and complex aromas of ripe fruit that evolve with age into nuances of brandy, fur and leather. On the palate, it is rich, balanced and textured, with a fine attack. As it ages, it becomes more voluptuous.