Burgundy

The wines of Burgundy

Burgundy is considered 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, we will take a look at the quality of the Burgundian terroir, the classification of its vineyards, its numerous appellations and its main producers in this guide.

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Look back at the history of Burgundy's terroir

Located about two hours southeast of Paris, the Burgundy wine region accounts for only 3% of French wine production. It may be small in area, but its influence in the wine world is enormous. This basic guide would be incomplete without an explanation of the formation of the region's limestone and marl soils, which makes it so complex. Indeed, Burgundy was part of a vast tropical sea millions of years ago. Then time transformed the seabed to make way for the soil that gives Burgundy wines their minerality and complex aromatics, unique qualities that make them so unique. The history of the wine of this region goes back in the mists of time, to about 50 years before Christ. Over the centuries and generations, the Celts, Romans, Benedictine monks and the Dukes of Burgundy developed the terroir and flavors of Burgundy wines. There are two main grape varieties 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 of land 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 have the merit of receiving this distinction such as Corton-Charlemagne, Montrachet, Charmes-Chambertin, Romanée-Conti etc.

-Premier cru: these are always wines produced from vineyards of exceptional quality, but of slightly lower quality than the Grand cru. These rather expensive wines represent about 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 the 42 villages of Burgundy. They represent 36% of Burgundy wines. For example, Meursault, Gevrey-Chambertin, Puligny-Montrachet, Beaune, Pommard...

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

With these classifications, one should not forget that even a regional wine deserves to be appreciated because it is produced in one of the best wine regions of the world. That's why we sell a wide range of wines from the great Burgundy wines to the more expensive to the more affordable. They are all good buys, perfect for special occasions or for a bottle to drink every day.

The numerous appellations of Burgundy wines

The wine regions of Burgundy are divided into 5 main regions including Chablis, Côte des Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais, not to mention Beaujolais and Châtilonnais. There are currently 44 communal appellations in Burgundy. Each wine bears the name of the village in which it is produced. The classification of the appellations is done according to the delimitation, the yield, the minimum degree of the natural harvest and the grape variety. We present here a non exhaustive list of the Burgundy wines appellations and their specific characteristics:

-Morey Saint-Denis: this appellation is part of the villages premiers crus. The eastern exposure of the vineyard allows the cultivation to produce fleshy, full-bodied red wines that are at the same time feminine, subtle, elegant and complex. A good part of the plots in this commune are cultivated with pinot noir, but there are also some plots of chardonnay.

-Aloxe corton: this communal AOC of Burgundy is located on the mountain of Corton. The appellation counts 14 first growths which are mainly composed of powerful and tasty red wines.

-Auxey Duresses: this wine-growing commune located in the village of Auxey produces red premier cru wines with a bright ruby, almost purplish color and scents of flowers and undergrowth and clear, crystalline white wines evoking lemon or reinette apple.

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

-Chambolle-Musigny: This dry red wine is produced in the Côte de Nuits wine region. With the "premier cru" and "AOC" appellation, this wine is brick red or ruby red in color and 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. This appellation has 9 grands crus, 26 climats classified as premier crus and village appellations. These single-variety red wines made from pinot noir are powerful, consistent, full-bodied wines with good acidity and refined tannins.

-Meursault : this wine appellation with the AOC label is located in the heart of the Côte de Beaune. It has many remarkable first growths such as Charmes, Genévrières etc. The white wine reveals itself with explosive aromas of dried flowers, notes of butter, citrus, fern and an impressive structure in the mouth. It leaves a long finish with a beautiful minerality. As for the red wine, it is a wine of great elegance and finesse.

-Nuits Saint-Georges : the AOC Nuits Saint-Georges has some first growths. The red wines of this appellation have a purple color, luminous, with notes of roses and licorice and aromas of truffles, fur and game. In the mouth, this wine is consistent, full-bodied and tannic. Some Premier Crus can be quite soft in temperament.

-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 fruits (grapes) or green fruits (lemongrass, green apple). On the palate, it reveals concentrated flavors. As for the red wine, it has a limpid color with a nose of small red fruits and notes of musk, fur with age. The red wine has a tender and fruity taste.

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