Burgundy

Considered the birthplace of terroir, Burgundy is one of the world’s most prestigious wine regions. Its elegant, ultra-fine Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are famous the world over, built on centuries of know-how and a complex puzzle of microclimates and soils.

Winegrowing in Burgundy dates back to the Romans, but it was monks and the nobility from the Middle Ages onwards who played the most significant role in the rise of Burgundy. The Cistercian monks classified precise plots of land according to the nature of the soil and the local climate, forming the Burgundy vineyards we know today.

Terroir, terroir, terroir

Comprising over 29,000 hectares of vineyard, Burgundy encompasses five main growing areas – from Chablis in the north to Beaujolais in the south. Key to Burgundy is the concept of terroir – the idea that even the smallest differences in soil, climate and aspect influence the character of the wine. Burgundy’s appellation system is a strict hierarchy that classifies vineyards on this basis. There are four quality levels – Grand Cru, the highest-quality wines from the best single vineyards; Premier Cru, wines from high-quality single vineyards that often surround the Grands Crus; entry-level Village wines, which are representative of a specific village or town; and, the lowest tier, wines from regional appellations, which are the overarching ‘Bourgogne’ designations. The primary focus in Burgundy is on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – two grape varieties responsible for wines of incomparable complexity. Calcareous soils complement Burgundy’s cool climate to yield elegant, mineral-driven wines famed for their finesse and longevity. 

Burgundy’s most southerly outpost, Beaujolais, is also home to the red grape variety Gamay, while Aligoté, less known and much less grown than Chardonnay, produces fresh, high-acid white wines.

Traditional but forward-looking

Burgundy may have deeply rooted traditions, but the region is now going through a process of dynamic change. More vignerons are applying a sustainable, organic approach to bring out the terroir even more effectively, while minimising the use of chemicals in the vineyard to preserve the integrity of their wines. Artisan knowledge honed over centuries have melded with new, forward-looking ideas, meaning that Burgundy will continue to set the benchmark for terroir-driven wines of unrivalled purity, elegance and complexity.