"Burgundy can be said to be the simplest and most complex wine region."
The complexity can be to the point where a small premier cru vineyard may have 70-80 owners.
But, in reality, Burgundy primarily uses two grape varieties for winemaking: Chardonnay for white wine and Pinot Noir for red wine (although technically, white grape Aligoté and red grape Gamay are also allowed).
So, why is the vineyard classification in Burgundy so detailed?
Because in Burgundy, it's the vineyard that matters, not the winery itself. Terroir is considered the most important factor influencing wine. Terroir refers to the unique combination of specific climate, soil composition, topography, winemaking techniques, and more in a vineyard.
Unlike Champagne, where most vineyards have chalky soils, Burgundy exhibits significant soil diversity. Adjacent vineyards with different terroirs can produce completely different wines. As early as the Middle Ages, Cistercian monks took a vow to care for vineyards as part of their penance. These monks would taste stones, delineate plots with low walls (clos), meticulously record the differences in every vineyard's wine production, and classify vineyards according to their different flavors. Therefore, descendants in Burgundy remember their ancestors' traditions and adhere to the philosophy of terroir-driven winemaking.
The Burgundy region is long and narrow, primarily consisting of five main sub-regions.
The northernmost part of the Burgundy region, Chablis, is known for its pure and distinct flavors. It features a cold continental climate and exclusively produces white wine from the Chardonnay grape. Chablis white wines are characterized by their metallic-like high acidity, minerality, a hint of salty sea breeze, and pure aromas of citrus and pear. Surprisingly, connoisseurs often enjoy top-tier Chablis that has been slightly chilled with high-end sushi, alongside Champagne.
When buying Chablis, there are four different levels to choose from:
Petit Chablis AOP: The most basic entry-level Chablis.
Chablis AOP: Village-level Chablis.
Premier Cru Chablis AOP: Chablis from Premier Cru vineyards, considered a step up in quality.
Grand Crus Chablis AOP: The highest classification, with only seven Grand Cru vineyards in Chablis.
These levels represent a hierarchy of quality and are reflected in the wines' characteristics and prices.
The most famous Burgundy region is called Côte-d'Or, which is the heartland of Burgundy and produces the most expensive Burgundy wines. Its name is an abbreviation of "Côte d'Orient," which means "east-facing slope," and some say it was inspired by the abundant autumn sunlight that bathes the vineyards in a golden hue.
Moving further south, you'll find the slightly less renowned Côte Chalonnaise region. Here, both white and red wines are produced in roughly equal quantities, and the vineyards are at a higher elevation compared to the Côte-d'Or, resulting in slightly less ripe grapes. The Côte Chalonnaise region offers excellent value for money, making it a great choice for those looking to experience the characteristics of Burgundy wines without breaking the bank. Some of the more famous villages in this area include Rully, Mercurey (known for red wines), Givry (also known for red wines), and Montagny (producing exclusively white wines).
The southern and warmer Maconnais region is characterized by its temperate continental climate. It primarily produces Chardonnay wines known for their tropical fruit, peach, toasted bread from oak aging, subtle hints of vanilla, and a fuller body.
The most famous village appellations in the Maconnais region are Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran. The wines produced here are known for their exuberant and full-bodied white wines, and they offer good value for money. It's an excellent choice for budget-conscious wine enthusiasts!
As the classification of Burgundy wine appellations (AOC) rises, the vineyard divisions become finer, allowing for a more pronounced expression of terroir characteristics and a greater complexity in flavors.
The Burgundy wine classification starts with the regional level known as Bourgogne AOC. These wines, labeled as Bourgogne Rouge (red) and Bourgogne Blanc (white), can source grapes from anywhere within the Burgundy region. They represent about half of the total Burgundy production.
The village-level classification in Burgundy, known as "Village/Commune," represents wines produced from specific villages within the region. On the label, you will often find only the name of the village, such as "Chablis" or "Gevrey-Chambertin." Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards are always single, precisely defined vineyard plots, each with its name. This is why some Burgundy enthusiasts spend a lifetime trying to fully understand Burgundy, as the multitude of individual vineyards can be incredibly intricate and detailed.
The Premier Cru vineyards, sometimes labeled as "1er Cru," make up only about 10% of the total production and consist of roughly 600 plots. Lastly, there are the Grand Cru vineyards, which account for only 1% of the total wine production in all of Burgundy. These vineyards are indeed the most prestigious and sought-after, featuring well-known names such as Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Chambertin, Clos de Vougeot, and many more.
It's worth noting that if a bottle of Burgundy wine does come from a single vineyard but doesn't meet the criteria for Grand Cru or Premier Cru, the label will indicate the village name along with the name of the single vineyard.
Other terms that may appear on Burgundy wine labels include "Monopole," which means the vineyard is exclusively owned by a single estate or grower. In Burgundy, where vineyard land is highly sought after, Monopole vineyards are quite rare. One of the most famous Monopole vineyards is the Romanée-Conti Grand Cru, owned by the DRC (Domaine de la Romanée-Conti) estate, and La Tâche Grand Cru.
