Historic Burgundy is the most famous wine region in the world. Although its vineyards account for only 3% of the AOP wines produced in France, it owns some of the most exclusive and expensive wines on the planet. Its 150km vineyards benefit from geology and climatic conditions favourable to viticulture. Additionally to this are its noble grape varieties and all the knowledge that winegrowers have passed down from generation to generation. All this incomparable heritage contributes to the unrivalled reputation of its wines.
Burgundy is divided into 5 major sub-regions: Chablis et du Grand Auxerrois, Côtes de Nuits et Hautes Côtes de Nuits, Côtes de Beaune et Hautes Côtes de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise et Couchois and Mâconnais. In turn, each of these sub-regions is divided into several Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in a system that was created in 1935 and aims to distinguish the wines from a certain geographical area that are made according to certain traditional practices. Today this system is called Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) and there are 84 AOP. For a long time Burgundy reported 100 AOP but in fact there are 84. The rest are considered Complementary Geographical Appellations, i.e. they are not official AOP but identify more restricted areas.
Besides the Appellations, Burgundy vineyards are also classified according to their "Climat", as the French call it. But what does "Climat" mean? Climat designates a parcel of a vineyard, delimited by man and recognised for centuries, sometimes since the Middle Ages. Each Climat, or vineyard parcel, has specific geological, hydrometric and solar exposure characteristics. And it is these characteristics that define the Climat that has three classifications: Grand Cru, Village and Régionale. In turn, the vineyards in the Village category have plots (Climats) elevated to the Premier Cru category.
It is the Climat that defines the wine. For this reason, in Burgundy, each vineyard parcel is vinified separately from the others. This immense patchwork constitutes a priceless heritage. In 2015, Unesco declared the Climats of Côte de Nuit and Côte de Beaune as Universal Patrimony of Humanity.
The producing and trading of wine in Burgundy works in three distinct ways. Through the Negotiators who buy the grapes or wine from several small producers and sell it under their names. The second is through Cooperative Cellars organised by a group of winegrowers to establish a collective cellar. Finally, there are the Wine Estates (Domaine), who own vineyards and a winery.
Burgundy's noble grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Although not as highly regarded, there are also planted Gamay for reds and rosés and Aligoté for whites.
But, let's take a brief trip through each of the 5 Burgundy sub-regions.
CHABLIS et du Grand Auxerrois
Situated in the northern part of Burgundy, between Paris and Beaune, and very close to the Champagne region, it is a region of exceptional quality white wines produced from a single grape variety, Chardonnay. Its Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) are:
AOP Grand Cru: Chablis Grand Cru.
AOP Village, some of which are classified Premiers Crus: Petit Chablis, Chablis.
Petit Chablis are light and vibrant wines. Its aromas are rich, with white flowers and citrus fruits notes. Renowned for their elegance and freshness Chablis, are dry wines. The Chablis Premier Cru have a wide range of aromas, from mineral to floral. The Chablis Grand Cru appellation is the most famous and recognised. Its wines are known for their exceptional balance.
Grand Auxerrois is home to countless old vineyards grouped into four terroirs. In this area, besides producing wines from the traditional grape varieties: Chardonnay and Aligoté for whites, Pinot Noir and Gamay for reds, they have red wines with César, an old grape variety, and the even rarer Sacy and Melon. The exception to the rule is in, Saint-Bris, where winegrowers produce aromatic white wines from Sauvignon Blanc. Its Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) are:
AOP Village: Irancy, Saint-Bris, Vézelay.
AOP Régionales specific Grand Auxerrois: Bourgogne Chitry, Bourgogne Côte Saint-Jacques, Bourgogne Côtes d'Auxerre, Bourgogne Coulanges-la-Vineuse, Bourgogne Epineuil, Bourgogne Tonnerre.
In Chablis et du Grand Auxerrois we also find the AOP Régionale: Bourgogne, Bourgogne Aligoté, Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains, Coteaux Bourguignons and Crémant de Bourgogne) which cover the whole of Burgundy, i.e. all regions in Burgundy produce these Régionale wines.
CÔTES DE NUITS and Hautes Côtes de Nuits
The vineyards of the Côte de Nuits and Hautes Côtes de Nuits extend over 20km on plateaus at an altitude of 300 to 400 metres. Its Pinot Noir red wines are famous and, the Grands Crus are renowned for their personality. Its white wines, from the Chardonnay variety, are vibrant and balanced. Nowadays, there are fewer of them. And as with all the other regions of Burgundy, they also produce wine from régionale appellations: Bourgogne red and white, Bourgogne Aligoté, Coteaux Bourguignons, Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains, and Crémant de Bourgogne, Bourgogne Côte d'Or. It is a region with several Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP):
AOP Grands Crus: Chambertin, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze, Chapelle-Chambertin, Griotte-Chambertin, Latricières-Chambertin, Mazis-Chambertin, Mazoyères-Chambertin, Ruchottes-Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, Clos de Tart, Clos Saint-Denis, Clos des Lambrays, Clos de Vougeot, Échezeaux, Grands Échezeaux ,La Grande Rue, Richebourg, La Romanée, Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Saint-Vivant, La Tâche, Musigny, Bonnes Marres, Charmes Chambertin.
AOP Village, some of which are classified as Premiers Crus: Chambolle-Musigny, Côte de Nuits-Village, Fixin, Gevrey-Chambertin, Marsannay, Marsannay rosé, Morey-Saint-Denis, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vosne-Romanée, Vougeot.
CÔTES DE BEAUNE and Hautes Côtes de Beaune
The Côte de Beaune wine region occupies an area of 20 km between Ladoix-Serrigny and the slopes of the Maranges. The vineyards of the Hautes Côtes de Beaune lie further west on a plateau 400 metres above sea level. Around the town of Beaune, the most planted grape variety is Pinot Noir. From Meursault, Chardonnay dominates, producing wines with different profiles depending on the terroir. One of the most famous appellations is Bâtard-Montrachet which produce one of the world's most prized Grand Crus. The Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) in this region are:
AOP Grands Crus: Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet, Bienvenue-Bâtard-Montrachet.
AOP Village, some of which are classified as Premiers Crus: Aloxe-Corton, Auxey-Duresses, Beaune, Blagny, Chassagne-Montrachet, Chorey-les-Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte de Beaune-Village, Ladoix, Maranges, Meursault, Monthélie, Pernand-Vergelesses, Pommard, Puligny-Montrachet, Saint-Aubin, Saint-Romain, Santenay, Savigny-lès-Beaune, Volnay.
They also produce excellent Régionales wines: Bourgogne, Bourgogne Aligoté, Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains, Coteaux Bourguignons and Crémant de Bourgogne et Bourgogne Côte d'Or.
CÔTE CHALONNAISE and Couchois
The vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise lie on the gentle slopes between the Côte de Beaune and the Mâconnais, a strip 25km long and 7km wide, between 250 and 370 metres above sea level where the hot summers and dry autumns. Further west lies Le Couchois between 200 and 300 metres above sea level.
This region produces ruby red wines and delicate white wines. The main grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but, they also have Aligoté. The village of Bouzeron is even home to the only Aligoté Appellation d'Origine Protégée. Its Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) are:
AOP Village, some of which are classified as Premiers Crus: Bouzeron, Givry, Mercurey, Montagny, Rully.
AOP Régionale specifique of this region: Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise, Bourgogne Côte du Couchois.
As in the rest of Burgundy, the Côte Chalonnaise and Couchois also have several Régionale Appellations: Bourgogne white and red, Bourgogne Aligoté, Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains and Coteaux Bourguignons.
MÂCONNAIS
Mâconnais is the southernmost region of Burgundy. The Mâconnais mountains stretch for some 40 kilometres from the Côte Chalonnaise to the Roche de Solutré and offer ideal conditions for growing vines. The valleys and slopes between the Saône and the Grosne are home to the vineyards of Mâconnais. Chardonnay white grape variety predominates and represents 80% of the vineyards planted. In red grape varieties, Gamay is dominant over Pinot Noir. The white wines are aromatically rich but, the red wines are also very seductive. Its Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) are:
AOC Village: Pouilly-Fuissé, Pouilly-Loché, Pouilly-Vinzelles, Saint-Véran, Viré-Clessé.
AOP Régionale specifique de Mâconnais: Mâcon, Mâcon-Villages, Mâcon followed by the name of the village.
It is impossible not to fall in love with all this history that counts centuries. Centuries of existence and wine-making knowledge passed down from generation to generation turning Burgundian wines unique. So, don´t waste time and enjoy them. There are excellent wines from this region at prices that fortunately we can afford. Consult our French Wines.
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