Grands vins - Bourgogne

An emblematic region of the French wine landscape, Burgundy boasts some of the greatest wines in France and the world. The great wines of Burgundy are vintages of exceptional quality, highly sought after by wine lovers. Burgundy is divided into 6 regions and produces no fewer than 84 appellations in village, 1er crus and grands crus. Whether through the famous red wines made from Pinot Noir or exceptional white wines such as Chardonnay, Burgundy reveals all the richness of its soils.

Often considered a difficult region to understand due to the complexity of its multiple plots and its hierarchy, it is nevertheless full of a good number of accessible wines with an exceptional quality-price ratio. A region with unmissable wines to discover…

The great wines of Burgundy

The first traces of viticulture in Burgundy date back to Roman times, when the Romans perceived the potential of this region for the cultivation of vines. Burgundy viticulture quickly became a major activity and continued to grow over the centuries. During the Middle Ages, monks played a key role in perfecting viticulture techniques and selecting grape varieties. These monks, in search of perfection, planted and cultivated vineyards, thus laying the foundations for the great wines we know today.

It was during the Renaissance that the reputation of Burgundy wines grew, in particular thanks to the Dukes of Burgundy who promoted the development of viticulture and encouraged the wine trade. They understood the importance of this heritage for their duchy and actively participated in its dissemination.

The 19th century marked a turning point in the structuring of Burgundy wines. In 1936, the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) was made official, consecrating the most prestigious plots under the name of Grands Crus de Bourgogne. Today, these wines are recognized for their finesse, aromatic complexity, and ability to age. Made from noble grape varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the great wines of Burgundy have become essential references for lovers of exceptional wines.

The appellations of the great wines of Burgundy

Burgundy is unique in its approach to appellations, structured into four distinct levels: Regional, Village, Village Premier Cru, and Grand Cru. Unlike other French wine regions, there are no "Grands Crus Classés". In Burgundy, each appellation reflects the specificity of its terroir.

At the top of this hierarchy are the 33 Grands Crus of Burgundy, distributed mainly in three emblematic sub-regions:

• Côte de Nuits: This territory is renowned for its powerful red wines, mainly made from Pinot Noir. Some of the most famous grands crus in this area include Romanée-Conti, Clos de Vougeot and Chambertin.
• Côte de Beaune: Known for its elegant red wines and complex white wines, this region produces renowned crus such as Montrachet and Corton.
• Chablis: Located further north, this region specializes in mineral white wines, produced exclusively from Chardonnay. Chablis Grand Cru is a perfect example of the unique expression of the Burgundy terroir.

This classification of appellations allows wine lovers to better understand the diversity of Burgundy's terroirs and to appreciate the richness of each cru according to its geographical origin and exposure.

The great wine estates of Burgundy

If Burgundy is famous for its grands crus, it is also famous for its exceptional wine estates, some of which have become legends. Among them, the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is undoubtedly the most prestigious. Its wines, produced in very small quantities, are considered jewels of the world's wine heritage. Each bottle embodies excellence.

Another emblematic estate is the Domaine Leroy, renowned for its powerful and complex red wines. The Domaine Armand Rousseau embodies the Burgundian heritage with wines from prestigious plots such as Chambertin or Clos de la Roche. As for the Domaine Leflaive, it stands out for its exceptional white wines, in particular its grands crus made from Chardonnay, which seduce wine lovers around the world.

Finally, the Domaine Comte Armand continues to innovate while preserving Burgundian traditions. These estates are references for all those looking to discover or invest in the great wines of Burgundy.