Graeme's Guide to Burgundy for Beginners

What is it?

Burgundy is a wine growing region in the East-Central part of France that produces some of the most sought after fine wines in the world.  The region is most known for light and elegant reds made of Pinot Noir and complex whites made from Chardonnay. Although the region is known for expensive fine wines there are still plenty of great value gems to find too.

Climate and Geology?

Burgundy lies in the Eastern part of Central France running from North to South from Dijon to Macon like a vein.  Chablis is also a region of Burgundy that is set apart from the rest to the North West of Dijon. 

The climate here is generally cool which allows thin skinned Pinot Noir a longer ripening period with little risk of sunburn.  Chablis is the coolest sub region as evidenced by the resulting crisp, mineral, steely wines that are produced. Macon is the furthest south and warmest.  As such, much more fleshy, robust styles are produced here.

Soils in Burgundy are incredibly varied but generally consist of a mix of limestone, clay, gravel and sand.  It is the unique soil makeup of each vineyard plot that gives the wines their individual expressions of terroir.

What does it taste like?

Red Burgundies are famed for their soft red fruit and elegant savoury complexity.  Depending on the terroir, expect notes of vanilla, baking spices, leather, tobacco and truffle.  White Burgundies are known for being rich and complex.  Examples can range from notes of fresh apple, pear, hazelnut and fresh flowers in Cote de Beaune in the north to ripe tropical and stone fruit with vanilla and butter in Macon in the south.  Chablis is the outlier in this regard as is usually produces fresh, mineral examples with crisp acidity and notes of citrus.

What does it pair with?

Red burgundy pairs well with light meats, especially in dishes like coq au vin or more hearty veggie meals like eggplant parmagiana. White Burgundy is at home with sharp cheeses and roast vegetables. Chablis, with its freshness and acidity can be paired with summer salads and seafood.

Fun Fact:

The Romans are credited with being the first to make wine in Burgundy. Evidence of viticulture her suggests that wine has been made on this land since around the 1^st Century AD.

In the soils of Burgundy you can still find fossils that are evidence of the region being underwater and part of a vast seabed hundreds of millions of years ago.