Burgundy: The best Burgundy wines at bargain prices

Burgundy is one of the most enchanting regions in Europe. Imbued with traditions and history of great mystery and charm, it also conveys these elements in the production of fine Burgundy wines, which are characterised by an aura of mysticism that gives them magical qualities. This is due to the great work of the winegrowers who have managed to project the reflection of the terroir into the Burgundy wines. It is no coincidence that Burgundy wines are considered almost unrivalled, yet what is most important to the various producers is the care of the vines as a reflection of the enormous respect they have for nature and the land. Burgundy's wine-growing history dates back to the 2nd century when the arrival of the Celts led to the first cultivation of vines, to which the Romans later contributed, although the real development of vines came about thanks to the abbeys of Bèze in Gevrey, Saint-Benignus in Dijon and Citeaux in Nuits-Saint-George. An important step in wine production was taken by Philippe l'Ardite, who, in 1300, ordered the explantation of gamay, the most widespread vine, from all vineyards in favour of the cultivation of pinot noir. Following the French Revolution, all noble territories were returned to the bourgeoisie: in particular, it was Jules Lavalle in 1861 who attempted the first zoning of Burgundy's vineyards, which Inao mentioned in its 1930 classification of crus. Today, the vineyards cover about 30,000 hectares, with small and medium-sized holdings, so that there is a great distribution of the area: one also speaks of grand cru bourgogne in reference to vineyards belonging to several holdings. The two most important wine-growing areas are Chablis and Côte d'Or, which have not only brought Burgundy wine into vogue, but also share the region's 33 grands crus produced from just two types of grapes: chardonnay and pinot noir. On xtraWine there is a wide range of Burgundy wines to choose from, from the best vintages of 2015 and 2016, with a special focus also on the white Burgundy wine represented by the presence of chardonnay , which is characterised by fruity and spicy aromas and a light structure. The Burgundy wines featured on xtraWine were produced by important wineries such as: Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Philippe Pacalet, Domaine Louis Michel & Fils, Domaine Confuron Cotetidot, Domaine Marchand Frères, Domaine Philippe Charlopin-Parizot and Marquis D' Angerville.

The Intriguing Journey of Burgundy Wines

A Long History of Wine Passion

Burgundy, with over 2000 years of winemaking tradition, has deep roots dating back to the Roman Empire, when the cultivation of vines spread during its conquests. Between 500 and 1400, it was the religious communities that refined techniques, giving rise to a movement of winegrowing monks who carefully selected the best soils for growing vines. This laid the foundation for today's appellations and the concept of terroir.

Resilience and Overcoming Challenges

After the French Revolution, ecclesiastical control over the land disappeared and phylloxera devastated European vineyards between 1870 and 1880. New plantings were adopted in cooler areas, promoting higher quality viticulture. The history of the best French red wines is intertwined with the challenges faced by monks and farmers to preserve their traditions.

Gastronomy and Wines: A Perfect Synergy

Burgundy wines, such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, dance harmoniously with the region's typical gastronomic products. Snails à la bouguignonne go wonderfully with a Savigny white, while cockerels and cheeses blend beautifully with reds, bringing out their tannins.

From Vineyards to Bottles: The Dance of the Production Areas

Chablis: The Elegance of Freshness In the northernmost part, 40 kilometres south of Champagne, lies Chablis. Here, the Chablis wines, made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, shine with their freshness and mineral nuances, without a trace of vanilla or toastiness.

Côte d'Or: A Refuge of Prestige This area, stretching from Dijon to Santenay, is the beating heart of the region. The Côte de Nuit, to the north, is renowned for its Pinot Noir-based reds and whites with Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. The Côte de Beaune, in the south, is famous for its high-class whites.

Côte Chalonnaise: A Land of Expansion Located south of the Côte d'Or, the Côte Chalonnaise offers both reds and whites. The village of Rully is famous for its classic method sparkling wines known as Cremant de Bourgogne.

Maconnais: The Lighter Side of Burgundy Even further south, the Maconnais region produces Chardonnay-based whites that are less sumptuous than the other areas.

Beaujolais: The Home of Gamay Located in the southernmost part of Burgundy, Beaujolais shines with the Gamay grape variety, from which the famous Beaujolais Nouveau, a French new wine, is made.

A Refined Classification of Burgundy Wines

Premier Cru: The Fascination of Terroirs Currently, 562 climats (parcels or vineyards) are identified as Premier Cru, constituting 11% of production. The label bears the name of the vineyard after the name of the village.

Grand Cru: The Apex of Excellence Only 33 climats enjoy the prestige of Grand Cru, representing 2% of production. The label only shows the name of the vineyard.

Continued Exploration on xtraWine

On the xtraWine online shop, you can embark on an exciting journey through the wines of Burgundy, enriching your wine experience. Discover the different areas and appellations of French wines and purchase your favourites at advantageous prices. Choose the quality and authenticity of Burgundy, thanks to xtraWine.

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Burgundy

Country name France
History Burgundy extends along the Saône river in the east of France - from the Beaujolais in the south, up to Dijon in the north - and also includes Chablis. Here the vine was cultivated since Roman times and the testimonies on the culture of Pinot Noir are very old. Until the French Revolution, in Burgundy the church and the monasteries played a very important role in the production of wine. After the revolution, all the land of nobility and of the church was confiscated to be divided into small lots to be shared among the peasants. Subsequently, the lots further fragmented with hereditary divisions. Here there are no large Château as in Bordeaux, but the vineyards are called climat or clos. Some vineyards can be divided into lots (parcelles), and it is very prestigious to own a parcel of one of the famous vineyards.
Perc white grape 1
Soil and climate The area has a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, with sporadic influences of the Mediterranean, with winds that bring rain and hail, which can cause large losses for the winemakers.
Typical dishes Burgundy is characterized by having top quality products, think of the Bresse Pollame which is among the best in the world, and the chalonnaise beef that is highly appreciated by the chefs. The Morvan area is rich in rivers and gives the best freshwater fish from all over France; moreover, forests abound with game, delicate mushrooms, and the famous snails or escargots, as well as fruit and vegetables, are much appreciated.
Typical products Bourgogne Rosso must be produced with 100% Pinot Noir. The only exception is the Bourgogne passe-tout-grains, which is normally produced with two thirds of Gamay and a third of Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is known as 'enfant terrible in the world of wines. It behaves very capriciously with frequent mutations. The character and style of the wines varies with the soil conditions: the siliceous lands give light wines, in the clay soils the wines become structured and alcoholic, while the soils rich in calcium favor the bouquet. Gamay is a vine of the Beaujolais area, where large quantities of light and fruity wines need to be drunk young. The wines have a very typical aroma (pear, banana and ethyl acetate) that depends on the particular vinification: carbonic maceration. Chardonnay is the great white vine for white Bourgogone. It can also be considered one of the most appreciated vines in the world. Aligoté is the second white vine of Burgundy, which with its thin skin, high acidity and reputation for mediocre quality, is often misjudged and forgotten. But, if properly vinified, in the best years, it can give rich and powerful wines.