Burgundy
Famed for its Norman abbeys, historic monuments, picturesque villages surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards, Burgundy has a centuries-long winemaking heritage. Charming towns, including Beaune with its world-famous Hospices, and strong gastronomic traditions complete the picture and make this region one of the most complete and attractive wine destinations.
There are five distinctive regions extending from Chablis in the north to Macon in the south. The heart of the region is based on the legendary Cotes d’Or (golden slopes) which is further split into the Cotes de Beaune and Cotes de Nuits. The classification system is based on its famed villages including names like Meursault, Montrachet, Volnay, Vosne-Romanee, Nuits St Georges, Gevrey-Chambertin. Further south are Cotes Chalonaise and Macon, home to Pouilly-Fuisse. Further towards Lyon is Beaujolais, which is also considered part of Burgundy.
Burgundy is the spiritual home of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and wine lovers consider the region the Holy Grail, the finest expression anywhere in the world, for these two grapes. Although Chardonnay and Pinot Noir account for the vast majority of wine made, and indeed most white and red wines are single varietals, there is also Aligote for whites and Gamay for reds.
Situated in the centre of France, Burgundy experiences a continental climate characterized by cold winters and hot summers. The weather is unpredictable, with rain, hail, and frost all possible around harvest time. Because of this, vintages vary considerably. Burgundy is the most terroir diverse region in France. Soils are generally based on limestone and clay, whilst granite is dominant in Beaujolais. But terroir can differ markedly within a few hundred meters and this is reflected in the very complicated classification system.
Fun Fact
Past Tours to Burgundy
Renowned throughout the world for its venerable wines, Burgundy is an essential destination for those who appreciate the finer aspects of the winemaker’s art. This is a region where you can visit some of the oldest and most prestigious vineyards in the world and taste wines that are regularly regarded as the best France has to offer (which is saying something). As one of the richest regions of France for hundreds of years, Burgundy also offers a wealth of history and culture as well as beautiful landscapes that offer the adventurous visitor plenty of stuff to do, even if it’s just a walk to admire the scenery.
