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Burgundy wines

Vines are present in the Burgundy since ancient times. Their geographical location, at the center of a vast commercial crossroads, contributed to the rise of the Burgundy wines. First planted in Roman times, vines were later cultivated by Cistercian and Cluniac monks. If Burgundy wines have acquired such a reputation, it's thanks to the Dukes of Burgundy. From the Middle Ages onwards, as owners of numerous vineyards, they imposed a number of constraints to guarantee the quality of their production.

The first Hospices de Beaune wine auction was held in 1851. The first classification of Côte-d'Or wines took place in 1861. And in 1936, the first appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) was awarded to Morey-Saint-Denis.

Burgundy's vineyards cover an area of 29,500 hectares, of which 25,000 hectares are AOC. They stretch over 250 kilometers in length. The wine-growing territory is divided into 5 sub-regions: Chablis and Grand Auxerrois (between Auxerre and Chablis), Côte de Nuits (around Nuits Saint Georges), Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise (west of Chalon-sur-Saône) and Mâconnais (west of Mâcon).

Burgundy wines are highly diverse, distinguished by their main grape varieties: pinot noir and gamay for red wines, chardonnay and (to a lesser extent) aligoté for white wines. Burgundy's continental climate is characterized by cold winters and frequent frosts, even in spring. Vineyard cultivation is therefore often delicate. Grape varieties are planted on clay-limestone soils. These climatic and geological features give Burgundy wines their richness and complexity.

Burgundy wines, the terroir as standard

Burgundy is far from being the world's largest vineyard, but it is now the most sought-after by lovers of prestigious wines. At the heart of this craze is terroir, celebrated like nowhere else.

Climates, guarantors of an identity

In Burgundy, the relationship with terroir is embodied in the notion of climat, which is unique in the world. A climat is a parcel of vines bearing its own name, strictly delimited, with all its characteristics known: its exact surface area, its orientation or degree of exposure to the sun, and above all its incredibly diverse geological specificities.

The Burgundy vineyard is a mosaic of 1463 climats, shaped over the centuries to give a unique character to Burgundy wines, both red and white. These climats are also the basis for the classification of the Burgundy wines as we know it today. At the top of the pyramid of appellations are 34 climats classified as Grand Cru. The production of wines from these 34 climats represents less than 2% of the total production of Burgundy wines. This rarity makes these wines, some of which have become legendary, veritable treasures.

Cultivating a single grape variety for authentic wines

In Burgundy, the vast majority of wines are produced in single-varietal. If the chardonnay is now the most widely grown white grape variety in the world and the pinot noir a red grape variety that is also very widespread, it's worth remembering that their cradle is Burgundy. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as, to a lesser extent, Aligoté for white wines, are what we might call terroir sponges, the ideal prism for highlighting the geological authenticity of climates.

In Chablis, Chardonnay is La Chablisienne 's best ally in expressing the mineral character and freshness offered by a subsoil dominated by grey marl and limestone banks. In the Mâconnais, in the extreme south of the region, generous sunshine and granitic soils give the Chardonnays from Domaine Isabelle et Denis Pommier suppleness and citrus aromas.

In Côte d'Or, where the most prestigious climats are found, white wines, produced mainly on the Côte de Beaune between Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, take on an opulent character, with notes of butter and brioche that are absolutely unrivalled. Red wines are not to be outdone, with Pinot Noir offering wines with a full, fruity bouquet. Alternatively, if you're planning to enjoy seafood, particularly scallops, try Vau Ligneau's 1er cru 2017 from domaine de la Motte.

A Hautes-Côtes de Beaune will delight more than one. As for the Côte de Nuits, it's a kingdom where Pinot Noir reigns supreme. In this part of the vineyard, great winemakers produce extraordinary wines such as Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin or Nuits-St-Georges, to name but a few, which will offer wine-lovers true moments of emotion.