Daniel-Etienne Defaix , Burgundy

Bourgogne AOC appellation is one of the most famous in the world. The Burgundy region is located in the central eastern part of France and covers a total area of over 27,000 hectares. The territory of the Appellation Bourgogne AOC includes 5 distinct areas: Chablis and Yonne, the Côte-de-Nuits, the Côte-de-Beaune, the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais. A very large area, which has very different climatic configurations. Suffice it to say that between the two extreme points of Chablis and Mâconnais there are about 200 kilometers of distance. The soils are generally of clay-limestone composition, which varies in percentages and characteristics from area to area.

The grape varieties mainly grown in Burgundy are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. However, there are also Aligoté, Gamay and to a lesser extent Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Sacy and César. The large Burgundy vineyard is characterized by a subdivision into very small parcels, often less than one hectare, which are the result of a centuries-old work of zoning the territory, which has focused on enhancing the specific characteristics of each individual terroir.

The whole of the tiles of this great Burgundy mosaic produces about 200 million bottles annually and even today the appellation Bourgogne AOC is synonymous throughout the world with tradition, quality and excellence.

Burgundy red wine

Burgundy red wine is today one of the most famous in the world thanks to the Pinot Noir of the Côte de Nuits, the northern area of the Côte d'Or, which includes Grand Cru we remember the caliber of Romanée-Conti (probably one of the most world famous and award-winning), Leroy and La Tâche.

Usually the great Pinot Noirs are born from the assembly of small plots (grouped in the so-called Domaine) and are mostly aged in oak barriques: the aging in barrique allows to obtain those soft and velvety tannins and the extraordinary longevity that make them famous all over the world. The best crus give life to wines produced in very limited and collectible quantities.

Pinot Noir also gives life to sparkling wines such as Crémant de Bourgogne, which is making a name for itself in recent times.

But Burgundy also means "minor" appellations such as Côte Chalonnaise, with Pinot Noir from Mercury, and Beaujolais, the southernmost wine area of Burgundy that stands out from the rest of the territory for climate and grape varieties and where Gamay is obtained from Beaujolais nouveau, the new red wine famous throughout the world for its straightforward and fruity character, is produced in Beaujolais.

Burgundy white wine

Burgundy white wine is famous all over the world thanks to Chablis , the wonderful French wine based on Chardonnay that has become a reference model in other countries of the world. These wines are often characterized by mineral aromas, with pleasant hints of flint and with fresh aromas thanks to the ageing which takes place mostly in steel. Chablis has the following sub-appellations, which we list in order of importance, from the most common to the most sought after: Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru.

The other important area for Chardonnay production in Burgundy is the Côte d'Or, particularly in the southernmost area, called Côte de Beaune. Here some of the best white wines in the world are produced and here Chardonnay gives life to rich, full wines, with a good softness on the palate and unmistakable aromas.

Finally, not everyone knows that in the Mâconnais region, famous for its Pouilly-Fuissé, there is a small village called Chardonnay, which according to some is the place of origin of this grape.

Among the other white wines of Burgundy, we can mention those based on Aligoté (famous those from the village of Bouzeron) and those with Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon.

What characteristics does Burgundy wine have?

Burgundy wine is able to satisfy all palates thanks to its characteristics. This region in fact offers Chardonnay with intense and generous aromas, fresher in the case of Chablis and softer and more structured in the case of the wines of the Côte de Beaune, and red wines with a complex and long-lived Pinot Noir that acts as a counterpoint to the lively and fruity Beaujolais nouveau.

What are the best pairings for a Burgundy white wine?

A Burgundy white wine is ideal with many combinations, from shellfish to egg-based dishes, from risotto to truffle dishes, passing first enriched with béchamel and second courses based on white meat and noble poultry.

What are the best producers of Burgundy

Some of the best producers in Burgundy are Romanée-Conti, Leroy and La Tâche.