Location: South of Paris, between Dijon and Lyon, the Burgundy wine region stretches on 360 Kilometers (225 miles) Main Cities: Dijon, Chalon sur Saône, Auxerre, Macon, Beaune
Vineyards cover 25,000 hectares with over 5,200 wine growers.
Annual wine production of 180 million bottles (65% dry white wine - 35% red wine).
The roots of Burgundy are the roots of French history. The Grand Duchy of Burgundy covered much of eastern France , and was dotted with castles and monasteries, centers of power, knowledge and wealth. It was early monks who planted the first vineyards, studied variations of soils and terroir, mapped the Cote d'Or and invented the idea of cru.
After the French Revolution, the monasteries were disbanded, and while some aristocrats managed to hold on to their vineyard properties intact, the vineyards of the common people were divided and subdivided over generations of marriage, intermarriage, and inheritance law. Modern Burgundian growers might own several small plots of vines in many different villages; the lots from each vinified and bottled into separate wines. Whereas a Bordeaux producer might sell one or two wines under his estate name, a Burgundy producer might make ten or more different wines. To give it another spin, the 125 acre Grand Cru vineyard Clos de Vougeot had one owner at the time of the Revolution. Today, it has over 80!
Burgundy has five distinct regions: from north to south they are: Chablis, Cote d'Or (divided into the Cote de Nuits in the south and Cotes de Beaune in the north), Cote Chalonaise, Maconnais and Beaujolais . The Cote d'Or has 28 different wine-producing villages or communes, surrounded by a total of 20,000 acres of vineyards.
Burgundy is known for many expressions of two great varietals: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In addition, there is fruity, lively Gamay from Beaujolais and lemony-tart Aligoté, planted in lesser vineyard sites. The term Domaine is commonly used in Burgundy to refer to a vine-growing and winemaking estate.
In Burgundy, more so than almost any other wine region except perhaps Alsace and Germany, classification of vineyard land depends upon terroir, and more specifically soil. The entire Cote lies on a bedrock of limestone, as opposed to the gravels and granite of the Médoc. Over the centuries, Burgundian winemakers became convinced that there are quantifiable differences in wine quality from one plot of land to another. Thus, in Burgundy one can find a Grand Cru rated vineyard a few meters from a humble village.
Beaujolais is a region in southern Burgundy that primarily produces a red wine from the gamay grape. Though gamay is a cousin of the noble pinot noir of the Cote d'Or--where the great reds of Burgundy are made-- Beaujolais has neither the body nor the complexity of the top red Burgundies.
It does, however, produce a fleshy, juicy red wine that is all about the fruit. It is meant to be drunk fresh, slightly chilled and young. It is abundant and inexpensive (anywhere from $8 to $15) and generally slightly lower in alcohol than the more powerful wines made in the north from the pinot noir grape. And best of all, Beaujolais has now had three exceptional vintages in a row, making it easier than ever to pick a good wine from the available offerings.
It is the fresh fruit quality--typically crushed red fruit aromas--that makes Beaujolais work so well at the Thanksgiving table, where the flavors and aromas are at once savory and sweet, often spicy and with lots of things served piping hot from the oven. Beaujolais is versatile, matching well with savory or sweet, standing up nicely to spices and most everything salty.
Beaujolais Villages wines, a step up from simple Beaujolais , must include grapes from at least two of the communes in what is called the Haut-Beaujolais, and the minimum alcohol is 10 percent. From good vintages Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages are quite tasty and generally a good buy. Beaujolais Villages usually is only pennies more than standard Beaujolais , so it's the better buy when available.
The finest Beaujolais are the Beaujolais crus . These are 10 site-specific wines and will carry the name of the crus on the label: Moulin-a-Vent, Morgon, Fleurie, etc. Beaujolais crus possess more depth and exhibits more personality than either Beaujolais or Beaujolais Villages , and has the distinct advantage of being ageworthy for up to four or five years following the harvest.
Appellation Chablis Grand Cru Controlée, Appellation Chablis Premier Cru Controlée, Appellation Chablis Controlée, Appellation Petit Chablis Controlée
Location
North of Burgundy, around the city of Auxerre (180km south of Paris)
Places
Chablis, Beines, Fontenay près Chablis, etc (in 18 villages)
Soil
Clayey-limestone, Marl and fossils
Size
4,300 ha (10,500 acres)
Production
32 million bottles (White wine only in Chablis!)
Grapes
Chardonnay
Type of Wine
Fruity dry white wine
Age
2 to 5 years; Premier Cru: 3 to 7 years; Grand Cru: 5 to 12 years
Vintages
2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1997, 1996, 1995
Aromas
Nuts, Butter, Mineral
Food
Grilled salmon, Poultry, White meat, Lobster and shellfish
Cheese
Chèvre (goat cheese), Aisy Cendré, Cantal, Chaource, Epoisses, Langres, Chabichou du Poitou, Crottin de Chavignol
The village of Chablis gives its name to one of the most famous white wine in France. Chablis is located at the north of the Burgundy region. Chablis wine is brisk and fruity, very dry and with a refreshing acidity. Chardonnay grapes grow on a limestone soil rich with fossils.
Côte de Nuits wine regions
COTE DE NUITS
Name
Appellation Côte de Nuits Villages Controlée
Location
South of Nuits Saint Georges
Places
Fixin, Brochon, Prémeaux, Comblanchien, Corgoloin
Soil
Limestone, Clay
Size
170 ha (420 acres)
Production
1 million bottles (Very limited production of white)
Grapes
Red: Pinot Noir; White: Chardonnay
Type of Wine
Fruity medium-body red wine
Age
3 to 5 years
Vintages
2005, 2003, 2002
Aromas
Red fruits, Licorice
Food
Roasted duck, Red meat
Cheese
Brie, Brillat-Savarin, Cantal, Chaource, Salers
Côte de Nuits is not an appellation but a wine region producing great red wines such as Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits Saint-Georges. They are all robust and elegant red wines with an intense and fragrant bouquet. The Côte de Nuits Villages appellation applies to the wines coming from Prémeaux to Corgoloin just south of Nuits Saint Georges. The 'terroir' there is known for the purity of the limestone. A few wines from Fixin are also in the appellation. Côte de Nuits Villages are great value red wines, very fruity and should be drunk before 5 years.
GEVREY CHAMBERTIN
Name
Appellation Gevrey Chambertin Premier Cru, Appellation Gevrey Chambertin Controlée, and 9 Gevrey Chambertin Grand Crus
Location
North of Gevrey
Places
Gevrey Chambertin, Brochon
Soil
Limestone gravels, Clayey limestone
Size
400 ha (990 acres)
Production
2.3 million bottles (Red wine only in Gevrey Chambertin)
Gevrey-Chambertin is the largest appellation in Côte de Nuits. Gevrey-Chambertin is also one of the most famous wines in France. The location of the vineyard is crucial in Gevrey-Chambertin. The red wines - red wine only in Gevrey Chambertin - range from just average to supreme. The best Gevrey-Chambertin grands crus are Chambertin and Clos de Bèze. They are among the finest french red wines.
CLOS DE VOUGEOT
Name
Appellation Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Appellation Vougeot Premier Cru, Appellation Vougeot Controlée
220,000 bottles (Red wine only in Clos de Vougeot)
Grapes
Pinot Noir
Type of Wine
Harmonious full body red wine
Age
10 to 15 years
Vintages
2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993
Aromas
Red fruits, Chocolate, Licorice
Food
Grilled red meat
Cheese
Epoisses
Monks first planted vine in Clos de Vougeot in the 12th century. Nowadays, protected by a wall of stones, Clos de Vougeot is the largest grand cru area in Burgundy. The vineyard of Clos de Vougeot is shared between 80 owners. It generates a lot of troubles for wine tasters as the average production per owner is a little bit more than 1,000 bottles! Vougeot and Vougeot Premier Cru are the smallest appellations in Burgundy - excluding Clos de Vougeot - and sometimes provide very good value with both red and white wines.
VOSNE ROMANEE
Name
Appellation Vosne Romanée Controlée, Appellation Vosne Romanée Premier Cru, List of appellations in Vosne Romanée
Location
North part of Cote de Nuits
Places
Vosne Romanée, Flagey-Échezeaux
Soil
Clay
Size
150 ha (370 acres)
Production
900,000 bottles (Red wine only)
Grapes
Pinot Noir
Type of Wine
Elegant red wine
Age
5 to 15 years
Vintages
2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993
Aromas
Cherry, Strawberry
Food
Coq au vin, Roast red meat
Cheese
Munster, Maroilles, Chabichou, Saint Nectaire
Vosne Romanée is home to one of the most famous wines in France: La Romanée Conti. Although Romanée Conti is universally known, the village of Vosne Romanée where it comes from is one the smallest wine villages in Burgundy! The wine region around Vosne Romanée also hosts several grands crus such as Grands-Echezeaux and Richebourg which make of Vosne Romanée terroirs the best of Burgundy red wines!
NUITS SAINT GEORGES
Name
Appellation Nuits Saint Georges Controlée, Appellation Nuits Saint Georges Premier Cru
Location
South of Dijon city
Places
Nuits Saint Georges, Prémeaux
Soil
Clayey limestone, Rocks
Size
300 ha (740 acres)
Production
1.7 million bottles (Limited white wine production)
The village of Nuits Saint Georges gives its name to the Côte de Nuits. The Côte de Nuits starts just south of Dijon to the edge of Cote de Beaune. Nuits Saint Georges produces mostly red wines. Red Côte de Nuits are robust and elegant. Their bouquet is intense and fragrant. The other villages producing Côte de Nuits are Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot and Vosne-Romanée (see Romanée-Conti).
Côte de Beaune wine regions
COTE DE BEAUNE
Name
Appellation Côte de Beaune Controlée
Location
In the Beaune "mountain"
Places
Beaune and 16 villages
Soil
Limestone
Size
35 ha (85 acres)
Production
170,000 bottles (2/3: red - 1/3: white)
Grapes
Red: Pinot Noir; White: Chardonnay
Type of Wine
Light fruity red wine,
White wine
Age
2 to 5 years
Vintages
2005, 2003, 2002
Aromas
Red: Raspberry; White: White flowers, Grapefruit
Food
Burgundy snails
Cheese
Cantal, Coulommiers, Emmental, Munster, Reblochon
The Côte de Beaune begins just a few miles south of Nuits Saint-Georges, around the village of Ladoix. The Côte de Beaune appellation is given to wines coming from the city of Beaune but also from 16 villages around Beaune such as Auxey-Duresses, Chassagne-Montrachet, Ladoix, Saint-Romain and Savigny les Beaune. Red Côte de Beaune are noticeable for their aroma and their warm bouquet. They have a tendency to a slightly lighter body and a quicker maturation than the Côtes de Nuits. The white wines of Côte de Beaune are straw-yellow, robust, thick and smooth, very dry. Côte de Beaune Villages is a different appellation. Wines from all the Côte de Beaune area can substitute their local appellation with this regional type of appellation.
CORTON
Name
Appellation Aloxe-Corton Controlée, Appellation Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru, Appellation Corton Grand Cru, Appellation Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru
Red: Red fruits, Truffle;
White: Cinnamon, Honey, Butter
Food
Red: Venison, Duck, Red meat
Cheese
White: Reblochon
Corton is the largest area of Grands Crus in Burgundy. This terroir also called la montagne (the mountain) in the Aloxe-Corton area produces the best red wines of Côte de Beaune. Corton needs to age at least 10 years to develop the smooth, rich red fruits aroma. At the top of the hill, Corton-Charlemagne is a great white Burgundy wine, one of the best in the region among Montrachet and Meursault. Its is said that the french emperor Charlemagne owned this place 1,300 years ago. The other wines are sold under the Aloxe Corton appellation. They are very good red wines and offer good value.
POMMARD
Name
Appellation Pommard Controlée, Appellation Pommard Premier Cru
Location
Between Beaune and Volnay
Places
Pommard
Soil
Limestone and red clay
Size
315 ha (780 acres)
Production
1.8 million bottles (Only red wine in Pommard)
Grapes
Pinot Noir
Type of Wine
Tannic full-body red wine
Age
5 to 15 years
Vintages
2005, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1990
Aromas
Black cherry, Blackcurrant, Musk
Food
Game, Venison, Roast red meat
Cheese
Livarot
There are only red wines in Pommard. They are among the most tannic and robust wines in Burgundy, much stronger than Beaune and Volnay close-by wines. Although Pommard is one of the most well-known appellation of the region, the wine's quality decreased over the last decades. However, since a number of campaigns, Pommard wines is improving and the name is back into business!
VOLNAY
Name
Appellation Volnay Controlée, Appellation Volnay Premier Cru
Location
Between Pommard and Meursault in Cote de Beaune
Places
Volnay (Volnay-Santenots is made in Meursault)
Soil
Limestone, Clay
Size
230 ha (570 acres)
Production
1.3 million bottles (Only red wine in Volnay)
Grapes
Pinot Noir
Type of Wine
Elegant red wine
Age
3 to 15 years
Vintages
2005, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1990
Aromas
Red berry, Raspberry, Violet
Food
Game
Cheese
Citeaux, Epoisses
Volnay has been very famous for already 8 centuries ! A King of France even took the whole production of a campaign for his own only! Volnay produces only red wines. They are well-structured and elegant. The white wines made in the Volnay area are sold under the Meursault appellation. Note that red Volnay-Santenots wines are actually coming from Meursault!
MEURSAULT
Name
Appellation Meursault Controlée, Appellation Meursault Premier Cru, Appellation Volnay-Santenots Premier Cru (red wine)
Location
In Cote de Beaune, south of Volnay and north of Puligny Montrachet
Places
Meursault
Soil
Limestone, Marl
Size
440 ha (1,090 acres)
Production
2.5 million bottles (Limited production of red wine)
Grapes
Chardonnay
Type of Wine
Mellow dry white wine
Age
3 to 15 years
Vintages
2005, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1990
Aromas
Almond, Apple, Nut
Food
Fish in white sauce
Cheese
Cantal, Chaource, Coulommiers, Epoisses, Reblochon, Saint Marcellin, Vacherin
The white wines from Meursault are among the finest white wines in France. It seems that white wine has always been grown in Meursault, as early as 1050. A third of the production in Meursault has a Premier Cru label and is of great quality. The best of the best are Les Perrières, Les Charmes, les Gouttes d'Or.
CHASSAGNE MONTRACHET
Name
Appellation Chassagne Montrachet Controlée, Appellation Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru, Appellation Montrachet Grand Cru, Appellation Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru, Appellation Criots Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru
Location
South of Côte de Beaune
Places
Chassagne Montrachet, Remigny
Soil
Clayey limestone
Size
350 ha (865 acres)
Production
2 million bottles (White: 60%; Red: 40%)
Grapes
Red: Pinot Noir; White: Chardonnay
Type of Wine
Fruity full-body red wine, Full-flavored white wine
Red: Roast game; White: Grilled fish, White meat, Fish in white sauce
Cheese
White: Langres, Saint Nectaire
Chassagne-Montrachet in the Côte de Beaune is famous for the great white wines produced in the 5 appellations (see below) including 3 grands crus. Montrachet, the most famous of them, is often called "king of white wines". Chassagne-Montrachet until recently produced mainly red wines. Although a few of them can match with the best of the Burgundy region, the overall Chassagne-Montrachet red production cannot be compared with Corton and Volnay. Nowadays, 60% of the wines in Chassagne-Montrachet are white. They are among the best in Burgundy, even in France and are increasingly popular.
Côte Châlonnaise and Mâcon wine regions
GIVRY
Name
Appellation Givry Controlée, Appellation Givry Premier Cru
Location
Close to Chalon sur Saône and 6km south of Mercurey
Places
Givry, Dracy-le-Fort, Jambles
Soil
Clay, Limestone
Size
220 ha (540 acres)
Production
1.4 million bottles (Limited white wine production)
Grapes
Red: Pinot Noir; White: Chardonnay
Type of Wine
Medium-body red wine
Age
3 to 7 years
Vintages
2005, 2003, 2002
Aromas
Red: Cherry, Raspberry
Food
Red: Red meat
Cheese
Brie de Meaux, Charolais, Reblochon, Parmesan
Givry is a pretty village just outside of Chalon sur Saône city. There are many historic places of interests in the village of Givry itself. Although, the wine from Givry is not one of the most famous in Burgundy, a new generation of winemakers is responsible for attractive wines. Givry red wines are similar to those of Mercurey. Winemakers also produce a fine white wine in limited quantity.
POUILLY FUISSE
Name
Appellation Pouilly Fuissé Controlée
Location
Around Mâcon
Places
Fuissé, Chaintré, Solutré-Pouilly, Vergisson
Soil
Clayey Limestone
Size
875 ha (2,150 acres)
Production
5.8 million bottles (White wine only in Pouilly Fuissé)
Grapes
Chardonnay
Type of Wine
Rich dry white wine
Age
2 to 6 years
Vintages
2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000
Aromas
Grilled almond, Nut, White flower
Food
Shellfish, Oysters
Cheese
Banon, Mâconnais, Picodon
Pouilly and Fuissé are two distinct villages in the Mâconnais. The large wine area actually covers 4 villages to produce a good white wine sold under the name of Pouilly Fuissé. Although Pouilly Fuissé should be drunk when age 5, it can be forgotten in a cellar for a very long time as it can possibly age 20 years or even more! Pouilly Fuissé should not be confused with Pouilly Fumé, a white wine from the Loire Valley.
RULLY
Name
Appellation Rully Controlée, Appellation Rully Premier Cru
White: Hazelnut, White flowers;
Red: Raspberry, Cherry
Food
White: Grilled Fish, Shells;
Red: Red meat
Cheese
White wine: Beaufort, Comté, Emmental
Although Rully is located in the Côte Châlonnaise, the terroirs, the history and style of Rully wines make them more similar to Côte de Beaune. Both red and white wines from Rully are good value for your money. 25 Premiers Crus have reached over the years a very good level.
Light dry white wine, Light fruity red wine, A few rosé wines
Age
White: 2 to 3 years; Red: 2 to 5 years
Vintages
2006, 2005, 2003
Aromas
White: Almond, Nut, Flower
Food
White: Oysters, Chicken in white cream, Asparagus, Cold meat
Cheese
White wine: Banon, Boursin, Comté, Charolais, Reblochon, Cheddar
In the past, Macon was known for its red wine. Nowadays, Macon is the largest producing area of white wine in Burgundy. White wine in Macon is light and dry. It is typically an everyday wine, rather cheap and pleasant. Red wine is still produced. It is light to medium and fruity. Macon Supérieur wines come from the same area but have more alcohol which explain why they are called "superieur". Actually, most of the Superieur wines are sold under the regular Macon classification. Macon Villages winemaking process is similar to Superieur, but wines are distinctively better. Only white wine in Macon Villages.
MERCUREY
Name
Appellation Mercurey Controlée, Appellation Mercurey Premier Cru Controlée
Location
In Cote Chalonnaise, 12 km North-West of Chalon sur Saone
Places
Mercurey and Saint Martin Montaigu
Soil
Limestone
Size
600 ha (1,500 acres)
Production
Red: 3.4 million bottles; White: 300,000 bottles
Grapes
Red: Pinot Noir; White: Chardonnay
Type of Wine
Red: Medium body red wine; White: Medium body white wine
Age
Red: 4 to 10 years; White: 3 to 6 years
Vintages
2006, 2005, 2003, 2002
Aromas
Red: Red fruits, Violets
Food
Red: Coq au vin, Beef meat, Stew; White: white meat
Cheese
Red: Beaufort, Emmental; White: Comté and Emmental
Mercurey was named after Mercury, the messenger of Gods. It is the biggest wine area of the Cote Chalonnaise. Mercurey was considered as one of the best wine in Burgundy. Unfortunately, the Phylloxera decease destroyed the vines. Although Mercurey is back both in terms of quantity and quality, the wine has not found back its former reputation. Red wine is full of flavor and elegant. White wine is quite similar to Cote de Beaune. The quality varies greatly from one producer to another. The Mercurey Premier Cru wines are quite similar to Pommard. They are among the best wines in Burgundy.
All Burgundy wine regions
BOURGOGNE AOC
Name
Appellation Bourgogne Controlée
Location
Burgundy region
Places
385 villages as per department: 54 in Yonne, 92 in Côte d’Or, 154 in Saône et Loire, 85 in Rhône
Soil
Various from limestone to clay
Size
3,000 ha (7,400 acres)
Production
24 million bottles (Red: 15 million; White: 9 million)
Red: Licorice, Black fruits; White: Honey, Vanilla, Lemon
Food
Red: Red meat; White: White meat, Fish
Cheese
Red wine: Maroilles, Munster, Camembert, Emmental
Bourgogne appellation covers all the Burgundy region. The vineyards of Bourgogne AOC are located on 385 villages! The grapes used in Burgundy are Pinot Noir for red wine and Chardonnay for white wine. A few decades ago, winemakers also used Pinot Beurot, César and Tressot red grapes but they have now almost completely disappeared. The quality varies very much from acidic to supple from one producer to another.
BOURGOGNE ALIGOTE
Name
Appellation Bourgogne Aligoté Controlée
Location
All Burgundy region
Places
385 villages as per department: 54 in Yonne, 92 in Côte d’Or, 154 in Saône et Loire, 85 in Rhône
Soil
Various from limestone to clay
Size
1,400 ha (3,460 acres)
Production
11 million bottles (White wine only)
Grapes
Aligoté and up to 15% of Chardonnay
Type of Wine
Light white wine
Age
Drink it young!
Aromas
Apple, Lemon
Food
Shellfish, Aperitif with or without blackcurrant cream
Cheese
Charolais, Mâconnais
Bourgogne Aligoté is a light white wine. People in Burgundy drink it young as Aligoté is not a wine that can age such as others. Aligoté stands for a white grape name used only in Burgundy. However winemakers are allowed to add up to 15% of Chardonnay grapes. The production of Bourgogne Aligoté is decreasing years over years as people are going more after Chardonnay these days. Bourgogne Aligoté from Bouzeron village deserve a special note for the winemakers' efforts toward quality.
Location: South of Paris, between Dijon and Lyon, the Burgundy wine region stretches on 360 Kilometers (225 miles)
