Burgundy

Burgundy is probably the most difficult French district to get a handle on, partly because the property and appellation structure is very complex, and partly because the quality due to the climate and the soil can be very fluctuating.

The two main grapes in Burgundy are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and there can be very large vintage differences and large variations in quality in this very special area.

It is therefore very natural that in Burgundy it is the markets (terroir) that are classified, in contrast to Bordeaux, where the castles are classified.

There are different opinions about the boundaries of the Burgundy wine region. Some believe the region runs from Auxerre in the north to Lyon in the south. These therefore include Chablis and Beaujolais in Burgundy.

Others believe that the region is concentrated around Beaune with Dijon in the north and Chalon-sur-Saône in the south. This "wine belt" called the Côte d'Or is where the best known, most expensive and best Burgundies are produced. The Côte d'Or is only 40 km long and 2 km wide - or approx. 15 times less than Bordeaux.

The Côte d'Or comprises two separate districts, the Côte De Nuits in the north and the Côte De Beaune in the south. Further south you will find the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais. Chablis is isolated from the rest of Burgundy approx. 150 km northwest of Dijon.

It is worth noting that Burgundy covers only 3% of France's total wine production.