Burgundy, a region in eastern France, is known worldwide for its exceptional wines, which are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs. The region’s wines are made primarily from two grape varietals – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Burgundy produces some of the finest expressions of these grape varietals, which are grown in vineyards that are located on the slopes of the region’s rolling hills.

Location:

Burgundy (#3 below) is situated in central-eastern France, in the heart of the country. The region spans over 250 km (155 miles) from Chablis in the north to Beaujolais in the south. It is divided into five sub-regions, each with its own distinctive terroir: Chablis, Cote de Nuits, Cote de Beaune, Cote Chalonnaise, and Maconnais.

Climate

The Burgundy wine region has a continental climate, which means that it experiences cold winters and warm summers. The region is also influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, which brings moisture and humidity. The weather can be unpredictable, with sudden changes in temperature and rainfall. This can have a significant impact on the quality of the wine produced.

Terroir

Burgundy’s unique terroir is a result of its diverse soil composition and topography. The region has a mix of limestone, clay, and marl soils, which are ideal for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. The hilly terrain and varying altitude of the vineyards also contribute to the region’s terroir. The slope and orientation of the hillsides, as well as the exposure to the sun, influence the ripeness and flavor profile of the grapes.

The Burgundy region is known for its complex and nuanced wines, which are a reflection of its unique terroir. The Pinot Noir grapes grown in the region are known for their earthy, savory flavors, while the Chardonnay grapes produce wines with notes of minerality and citrus.

Grape Varietals

Pinot Noir – This is the most important grape varietal grown in Burgundy. Pinot Noir produces red wines that are elegant, complex, and full of character. The wines are known for their aromas of red fruit, floral notes, and earthy undertones.

Chardonnay – Chardonnay is the second most important grape varietal grown in Burgundy. It produces white wines that are crisp, fresh, and mineral-driven. The wines are known for their flavors of apple, lemon, and pear, as well as their subtle notes of oak.

Styles of Wine

Burgundy is home to a diverse range of wine styles, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the most popular styles of wine produced in the region include:

Red Burgundy – This wine is made from Pinot Noir grapes and is known for its earthy, fruity, and savory flavors. The wines are usually light to medium-bodied, with a delicate acidity and soft tannins.

White Burgundy – This wine is made from Chardonnay grapes and is known for its crisp, fresh, and mineral-driven flavors. The wines are usually light to medium-bodied, with a lively acidity and subtle notes of oak.

Chablis – Chablis is a sub-region of Burgundy that produces some of the finest white wines in the world. Chardonnay is the only grape variety allowed to be grown in the region. The wines are known for their bright acidity, mineral-driven flavors, and crisp finish.

Cote de Beaune – This sub-region of Burgundy produces some of the most highly sought after red and white wines in the world. The wines are known for their rich, complex flavors, and elegant structure.

History and the Napoleanic Code

The history of Burgundy dates back to the Roman Empire, when the region was known for its high-quality wines. Over the centuries, Burgundy became an important center for trade and commerce, with many of its towns and cities growing wealthy from the wine trade. In the 14th and 15th centuries, Burgundy was ruled by the powerful dukes of Burgundy, who built grand palaces and commissioned works of art that still grace the region today.

In the early 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte introduced a series of laws that had a significant impact on the wine industry in Burgundy. The Napoleonic Code of Inheritance, also known as the French Civil Code of 1804, was a set of laws introduced by Napoleon Bonaparte that aimed to standardize the legal system throughout France.

The code established a uniform system of inheritance. When a landowner passed, the property was divided equally between all heirs – men and women. Property no longer passed to the eldest son or some other diverse and often complicated systems that existed in various regions of France.

You can imagine that after many generations and successive property divisions, that many plots of land (called climats) are quite small and fragmented. Families that were able to cooperate with one another and consolidate their vineyard holdings operated on a larger scale.

As a result of this consolidation, many small winegrowers in Burgundy were unable to compete with the larger estates that emerged under the new system. To stay in business, these small growers began to sell their grapes to larger estates or to middlemen known as “negociants,” who would then blend and bottle the wines under their own label.

Negociants played an essential role in the Burgundian wine trade, acting as intermediaries between growers and buyers. They would buy grapes or wines from multiple small growers, blend them to create a consistent product, and then sell them to wine merchants or exporters.

The use of negociants in Burgundy created a distinctive system of wine production that emphasized blending and consistency over individual vineyards or terroirs. While some wine enthusiasts criticize this approach for homogenizing the region’s wines, others argue that it has helped to maintain the high quality and reputation of Burgundian wines. Today, negociants remain an integral part of the Burgundian wine trade, and many of the region’s most famous producers still rely on them to source grapes and produce their wines.

Classification System

The Burgundy Wine Classification or the Classification of Burgundy Vineyards, is a system used to classify the vineyards of Burgundy, a wine-growing region in France. The classification is based on the perceived quality of the vineyards, which is determined by a number of factors such as the soil, exposure to the sun, slope, altitude, and historical reputation of the vineyard.

The Burgundy Classification was first established in 1855 by the Chamber of Agriculture of the Côte d’Or department, and it has since been revised several times. The current version of the classification was established in 2012 and divides the vineyards into four categories:

1. Grand Cru: This is the highest level of classification and is reserved for the most prestigious vineyards. There are only 33 Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy, and they are considered to produce the finest wines of the region.
2. Premier Cru: This is the second-highest level of classification and is reserved for vineyards that are considered to be of exceptional quality. There are over 600 Premier Cru vineyards in Burgundy, and they are highly regarded for producing wines of great complexity and finesse.
3. Village: This is the third level of classification and is used for vineyards that produce wines of good quality but are not considered to be as exceptional as Grand Cru or Premier Cru vineyards. There are over 400 Village vineyards in Burgundy, and they are typically named after the village in which they are located.
4. Regional: This is the lowest level of classification and is used for vineyards that produce wines of more modest quality. There are over 100 Regional vineyards in Burgundy, and they are typically named after the larger region in which they are located, such as Bourgogne or Côte Chalonnaise.

Terminology

Burgundy has a unique terminology for its wines, which can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the region. The most important terms to know are “domaine,” “cru,” and “terroir.”

Domaine refers to a winery that produces its own wine from grapes grown on its own land. This is important in Burgundy because many of the vineyards are small and family-owned.

Cru refers to a specific vineyard or group of vineyards with a recognized quality level. The highest level of quality is Grand Cru, followed by Premier Cru and Village wines.

Terroir refers to the unique combination of soil, climate, and topography that gives Burgundy wines their distinctive character. Each vineyard has its own terroir, which is reflected in the flavor and aroma of the wine.

Conclusion

Burgundy is a unique and fascinating wine region with a focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Its complex terminology and emphasis on terroir make it a favorite among wine lovers and a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the world of wine.