Exploring Burgundy: A Journey Through France’s Premier Wine Region

Burgundy is a small but highly esteemed wine region with a global reputation for excellence. With approximately 29,000 hectares under vines, Burgundy represents only about 3% of France’s wine production. Nevertheless, what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in quality. Let’s journey through some of the best and most expensive wines in the world.

The Grape Varieties

The two main grape varieties grown in Burgundy are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They account for more than 80% of the vine planted area. Other varieties such as Gamay and Aligoté can also be found as well as small amounts of some minor varieties. With this in mind, it is no surprise that most Burgundy wines are single varietal.

The Terroir

About 200 million years ago, Burgundy was a tropical sea. Today, the region's soil, rich in marine marl and limestone deposits, plays a crucial role in the fame of Burgundy wines. This unique terroir supports the development of complex flavors in the Pinot Noir and adds some minerality to the Chardonnay.

The local climate also has an impact on the wines. Chablis, the northernmost appellation of Burgundy, has a semi-continental climate characterized by sunny, hot summers and long, harsh winters, which produce wines with a lot of freshness and minerality. The Cote d’Or, at the center of the appellation, has a continental climate with dry autumns, which is key to producing quality red wines high above sea level. Further south, the Mâconnais benefits from Mediterranean influences, with the warmer climate producing fuller-bodied wines.

The Climats

Burgundy has pushed the concept of terroir to another level with the idea of Climats. A Climat is a plot of vine, demarcated by man, with its own unique identity shaped by its environment, geography, and history, all of which are expressed in the wine itself. For this reason, grapes from a specific Climat are vinified separately, and the wine produced is named after that Climat. The meticulous attention to detail and respect for the land ensure that each Climat reflects the subtle nuances of its specific location. This dedication to preserving and showcasing the diversity of terroirs led to the Climats de Bourgogne being added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015, recognizing their cultural and historical significance.