This famous wine growing area of France covers more than 31,500 square km. The Burgundy vineyards stretch for some 110 km from Chablis in the north to the Côte de Nuits, south of Dijon and onward to the Côte de Beaune approximately 35 km south of Dijon. From the Côte de Beaune, the region continues south to the Côte de Chalonnaise, the Mâconnais and Beaujolais which is just north of Lyon. The region is also noted for its heavy industry.
Overall, Burgundy covers some 300 km, but its widest point is only about 30km from east to west. The region includes more than 100 appellations.
It is possible that Burgundy could be the oldest vineyard in France. The Romans are said to have settled here before Bordeaux and rest of western France, while another story suggests that the Greeks were first to bring vines into the Rhone valley, slowly spreading north.
Chablis is the largest appellation of white Burgundy and has been used throughout the world as a benchmark of white wine. Location and climate each play a big part in Chablis. The early spring frosts can be very harsh and can quickly devastate the harvest.
South of Chablis is the beginning of the Côte de Nuits, with its famous named vineyards producing quality red and white wines. The capital, Dijon, will need little introduction to those with a taste for mustard. Dijon is also the home of a wonderful aperitif called Kir (pronounced keer), made from Cassis liqueur (blackcurrants) and white wine. The vineyards of the Côte de Nuits once surrounded Dijon, but today, most vineyards are to the south starting at Marsannay. The reds from here are some of the longest lived in the Côte d’Or, due in part to the rich soil and climate. The vines are exposed on the slopes producing a wine which when aged, is velvet smooth and fruity.
Heading down the N74 there are several very small appellations producing notable wines including Premier Crus of an exceedingly high standard. Clos Vougeot has always been a popular name with wine writers. Its 50 hectares enclosed ‘Clos’ was first planted by Cistercian monks between1116 and 1160 to produce wine for Citeaux Abbey. Two adjacent Grands Crus, L’Echézeaux and Le Grand Echézeaux show all that a good Burgundy wine should - strong, well-structured, balanced and very aromatic. They also tend towards the upper limits of price.
A little further down the N74, just to the north of Nuits Saint Georges, is Romanée-Conti. If you can find a bottle of this indescribable nectar, it will come at a starting price in excess of 75 Euros.
Nuits Saint Georges is an altogether different wine from its immediate southerly neighbours of Beaune. It is a strong, forceful wine, full bodied and deep in colour, long lived and needs time to come into its own. Premiers Crus abound in an appellation that 'flows' along the hillside on a rich soil with plenty of limestone and marl.
Beaune is the Burgundian wine capital and one of the biggest Appellations on the Côte de Beaune. With its 14th Century ramparts and much of its history is still in evidence, Beaune is a major tourist destination. The majority of the vineyard is classified Premier Crus and includes many prestigious names.
Pommard is perhaps one of the best-known wines of Burgundy. Pommard is a strong, full bodied wine with a forceful colour that will take time for its fruit to develop.
The town of Meursault, with its mini châteaux, is dedicated to enticing the visitor into every ‘dégustation’ cellar and is not for the casual tourist. The atmosphere can imply a 'hard sell', hardly conducive to wine tasting and buying for pleasure. Meursault white wines however, are world-renowned.
Nearby Puligny-Montrachet produces the best white wines in Burgundy. The Grands Crus growth is on an outcrop of limestone called Bathonian, after Bath in Avon, England which is said to add finesse and elegance with subtle aromas creating a harmonious wine.
Further south is the Mâconnais which includes Mâcon, Mâcon Supérieur and Mâcon-Villages. This massive vineyard runs from Tournus in the north to the outskirts of Mâcon in the south, and includes a range of soils and positions which produce a diverse range of red, white and rosé wines. The whites can be called Pinot-Chardonnay-Mâcon and Mâcon-Villages. Prices in this area range from three to ten Euros.
For more tourist information and history, see Premier Pages