BURGUNDY
Burgundy
is a long, narrow wine region in eastern France, southeast of Paris. The French
call the region Bourgogne, pronounced bor guh nyeh. Burgundy is a fragmented region, consisting of
four somewhat contiguous districts (Chablis, Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and
Mâconnais) and one district that’s about 70 miles south of the other regions
(Beaujolais).
Because
of its unique terroir the Burgundy region excels in both
white and red wines. The soils of Burgundy are extremely varied, in their
richness, depth, and
mineral content. The soils vary not only from one end of the region to the
other, but also within a single area — for example, from the top of a hill to
the bottom, or from one vineyard plot to the next.
It
enjoys a climate very favorable to the development of white wines and red
wines, renowned for their fineness, distinction, character and the richness of
their aromatic expression.
The Burgundy vineyard covers 5
great flagship regions of production:
Chablis
– Most northerly and known for
its dry whites
Côte
de Nuits –
Known for the great reds
Côte
de Beaune – Known for both red and whites
Côte
Chalonnaise – Produces good reds and whites
Mâconnais
– Southern Burgundy, known for
good value for money wines
Beaujolais – Not a part of Burgundy, but generally
included for easier understanding of French wine regions
The major grapes used in Burgundy are Chardonnay (White) and Pinot Noir (Red).
Various other grapes like Gamay and ALigote are permitted too but used only in making of everyday drinking wines of Beaujolais, Maconnaise and Cote Chalonnaise
The major grapes used in Burgundy are Chardonnay (White) and Pinot Noir (Red).
Various other grapes like Gamay and ALigote are permitted too but used only in making of everyday drinking wines of Beaujolais, Maconnaise and Cote Chalonnaise
Appellation
Contrôlée:
AC
Bourgogne – Like
AC Bordeaux, the wines don’t qualify for high quality.
Regional
Appellations –
Covers small group of villages with generally good quality wines that don’t
qualify for the premier level
Village
ACs –
Commonly known as Village Wines as they carry village names and the wines are
of high quality
Village
Premier Cru –
Blend of smaller Premier cru from various vineyards of a village
Premier
Cru –
from single vineyard with superb quality and vineyard displayed on the label
Grand
Cru –
The best of Burgundy and among the best in the world, these wines are elite and
come from the best slopes and vineyards of this majestic land.
Sub Regions of Burgundy :
Burgundy
BOURGOGNE
BOURGOGNE ALIGOTE
CHABLIS
CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET
CLOS DE VOUGEOT
CORTON
COTE DE BEAUNE
COTE DE NUITS-VILLAGES
GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN
GIVRY
MACON
MERCUREY
MEURSAULT
NUIT-SAINT-GEORGES
POMMARD
POUILLY-FUISSE
RULLY
VOLNAY
VOSNE-ROMANEE
BOURGOGNE
BOURGOGNE ALIGOTE
CHABLIS
CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET
CLOS DE VOUGEOT
CORTON
COTE DE BEAUNE
COTE DE NUITS-VILLAGES
GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN
GIVRY
MACON
MERCUREY
MEURSAULT
NUIT-SAINT-GEORGES
POMMARD
POUILLY-FUISSE
RULLY
VOLNAY
VOSNE-ROMANEE
Categories:
French Wine Regions