Why Choose Burgundy Wines?
- Prestigious appellations: Burgundy wines make wine enthusiasts and collectors around the world dream. You'll find legendary names like Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Gevrey-Chambertin, or Vosne-Romanée.
- Emblematic grape varieties: It's impossible to talk about Burgundy without mentioning its stars: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. But that's not all! Aligoté, another typically Burgundian white grape variety, is making a comeback, elevated by talented winemakers who craft delicate wines from it.
- Rich history: Burgundy vineyards have existed for centuries, and each plot has a unique identity thanks to its terroir. This concept of Burgundy climats, which encompasses precisely defined vineyard plots according to their geological and climatic characteristics, has even been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2015. The climats are particularly concentrated in the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, where names like La Romanée, Montrachet, or Clos Vougeot resonate in the hearts of wine lovers.
The Great Appellations of Burgundy
Burgundy is a true playground for wine enthusiasts, with appellations spread across five major sub-regions:
1. Chablis
- The star of fresh and mineral white wines, made exclusively from Chardonnay.
- Food and wine pairings: Perfect with oysters, a seafood platter, or scallop carpaccio.
2. Côte de Nuits
- The kingdom of great reds made from Pinot Noir. Think Gevrey-Chambertin or Nuits-Saint-Georges for powerful and complex wines.
- Emblematic climats: Romanée-Conti, Clos de Vougeot, La Tâche.
- Food and wine pairings: Sublime with a traditional beef bourguignon or duck breast with cherries.
3. Côte de Beaune
- The Côte de Beaune vineyard is famous for both its great white wines like Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, and for its fine reds like Pommard and Volnay.
- Emblematic climats: Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne, Les Perrières.
- Food and wine pairings: Try a Meursault with poultry in cream and morel sauce, or a Pommard with beef fillet en croûte.
4. Côte Chalonnaise
- A perfect region for accessible wines, with appellations like Rully or Mercurey that never disappoint.
- Food and wine pairings: A red Mercurey pairs very well with fine charcuterie, while a white Rully is ideal with a vegetable quiche.
5. Mâconnais
- The paradise of fruity white wines like Pouilly-Fuissé or Saint-Véran, perfect to accompany simple and gourmet cuisine.
- Food and wine pairings: A Pouilly-Fuissé is perfect with grilled fish or a Caesar salad.
Focus on Burgundy Grape Varieties
- Pinot Noir: The king of red wines in Burgundy. It produces elegant wines, with notes of red fruits (strawberry, cherry) and sometimes spicy touches. Ideal to accompany roasted poultry or aged cheese.
- Chardonnay: The quintessential Burgundian white grape variety. Depending on the terroir, it can be crisp and mineral (Chablis) or rich and buttery (Côte de Beaune).
- Aligoté: Long in the shadow of Chardonnay, Burgundy's Aligoté is making a comeback thanks to passionate winemakers. This white grape variety, with its natural freshness and notes of citrus and white flowers, now stands as a bold and modern choice, well beyond the simple kir.
- Gamay: Mainly used in Beaujolais, it persists in certain areas of Burgundy. This grape variety gives light, fruity, and accessible reds, perfect for simple dishes or picnics.
The Burgundy Wine Classification System
Burgundy follows a rigorous classification system that reflects the quality and origin of the wines:
- Regional appellation: Generic wines like "Bourgogne Rouge" or "Bourgogne Blanc" come from the entire region.
- Village appellation: These wines are produced in more specific areas, such as Chablis or Gevrey-Chambertin, and reflect local characteristics.
- Premier Cru: From particular plots within a village, these wines offer superior complexity and finesse.
- Grand Cru: The elite of Burgundy wines, produced on exceptional terroirs like Romanée-Conti, Montrachet, or Clos de Vougeot.
The Best Burgundy Vintages
Recent years have been marked by a series of exceptional vintages in Burgundy. Among the most recent, we can mention:
- 2018, 2019, 2020: Three consecutive years offering balanced wines, with good ripeness of the grapes.
- 2021: A cooler year that will delight fans of classic and elegant wines.
But Burgundy is also a story of legendary old vintages. Enthusiasts still remember 1945, 1959, or 1978, years when the terroir and climatic conditions gave wines of rare depth and longevity. These bottles, now rare, embody the quintessence of Burgundian expertise.
Food and Wine Pairings
White Wines:
- Classic: A Chablis with Burgundy snails.
- Modern: A Puligny-Montrachet with lemon and asparagus risotto.
- World Cuisine: A Pouilly-Fuissé with a Thai coconut milk curry.
Red Wines:
- Classic: A Volnay with coq au vin.
- Modern: A Gevrey-Chambertin with a gourmet burger with aged cheese.
- Street Food: A Mercurey with a pulled pork hot dog.
FAQ on Burgundy Wines
What are the most prestigious wines of Burgundy? Grand Crus like Romanée-Conti, Montrachet, or Clos de Vougeot are among the most famous.
The most expensive wine in Burgundy (and often in the world) is Romanée-Conti, produced by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC), located in the Côte de Nuits. Bottles can reach astronomical prices, easily exceeding €20,000 per bottle at auction, and sometimes much more for rare or old vintages.
How to find a good, inexpensive Burgundy? Focus on the Mâconnais and the Côte Chalonnaise:
- These sub-regions offer very good quality wines at gentler prices. For example:
Also consider exploring the regional or village appellations of great Burgundy domains. This way, you can discover the style of these prestigious domains at accessible prices. There are particularly some gems in Bourgogne Aligoté!
How long should I keep a Burgundy wine?
White wines:
Regional appellations: 2 to 4 years.
Village appellations: 5 to 7 years, up to 10 years for great vintages.
Grand Crus: 10 to 15 years or more.
Red wines:
Regional appellations: 3 to 5 years.
Village appellations: 5 to 10 years.
Premier Crus and Grand Crus: 15 to 20 years or more for exceptional vintages.
Tip: Store your bottles in a dark, cool cellar (12°C) with good humidity to optimize their aging.
Explore the Richness of Burgundy Wines
Discover our complete range of Burgundy wines and let yourself be seduced by their authenticity and elegance. Order online and let your taste buds travel from the comfort of your home!
