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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.