Burgundy

Burgundy wines

Burgundy is considered to be the best terroir in the world for the production of 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, this guide looks 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 around two hours south-east 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 minerality and aromatic complexity, unique qualities that make them so special. The history of wine in this region goes back to the dawn of time, to around fifty years BC. Over the centuries and generations, Celts, Romans, Benedictine monks and the Dukes of Burgundy have developed the terroir and flavours 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 the 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 are worthy of this distinction, such as Corton-Charlemagne, Montrachet, Charmes-Chambertin, Romanée-Conti, etc.

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

-Village wines: 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. They come from a combination of vineyards in several Burgundy villages. They are all fresh and fruity. These wines are labelled 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 is 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

The Burgundy wine 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. The appellations are classified according to their boundaries, 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 Premier Crus of the village. The eastern exposure of the vineyards enables the crop to produce full-bodied, fleshy red wines that are feminine, subtle, elegant and complex. A large proportion of the plots in this commune are planted with pinot noir, but there are also a few plots of chardonnay.

-Aloxe corton: this communal AOC in Burgundy is located on the Corton mountain. The appellation has 14 premier crus, which are mainly powerful, flavoursome red wines.

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

-Chablis: Chablis Grand Cru from the Chablis wine-growing region has AOC status. The region produces white wines with a golden-green colour, 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. This brick-red or ruby-red wine has a nose of violets and red fruit, leaving a rich, complex, full-bodied and fine flavour on the palate.

-Gevrey-Chambertin: This terroir is located to the north of the Côte des Nuits, south of Dijon. This appellation includes 9 grands crus, 26 climats classified as premiers crus and a number of village appellations. These single-vineyard 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 remarkable Premier Crus, including Charmes and Genévrières. The white wine reveals explosive aromas of dried flowers, butter, citrus and fern, and impressive structure on the palate. It has a long finish with a lovely minerality. As for the red wine, it is a wine of great elegance and finesse.

-Nuits Saint-Georges: AOC Nuits Saint-Georges includes a number of premier crus. The red wines from this appellation are bright crimson in colour, with notes of rose and liquorice 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.

-AOC Puligny-Montrachet: the village of Puligny is home to 4 Grand Cru appellations and wines classified as Premier Cru and Village appellations. The white wine has a golden glint to the green and suggests mineral aromas, butter, flowers such as fern and ripe fruit (grapes) or green fruit (lemongrass, green apple). On the palate, it reveals concentrated flavours. Red wine has a clear colour, a nose of red berries and notes of musk and fur with age. Red wine has a soft, fruity taste.

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