Burgundy
Overview
Burgundy (Bourgogne) is France’s most celebrated fine wine region, stretching roughly 250km north to south. It is defined by the concept of terroir more than any other region — the same grape variety planted in adjacent parcels produces dramatically different wines, with appellation hierarchies (grand cru → premier cru → villages → regional) codifying centuries of observed quality differences. The benchmarks are Pinot Noir (red) and Chardonnay (white), with Gamay dominant in Beaujolais and Aligoté a secondary white grape.
Key Sub-Regions
- Chablis — far north; pure, mineral Chardonnay on Kimmeridgian limestone
- Côte de Nuits — southern Dijon to Nuits-St-Georges; grand red Burgundy heartland
- Côte de Beaune — Aloxe-Corton to Santenay; great whites and elegant reds
- Côte Chalonnaise / Mercurey — south of Côte d’Or; excellent value
- Mâconnais — southernmost; Chardonnay-dominated
Grape Varieties
- Pinot Noir — all red AOC wines in Côte d’Or
- Chardonnay — whites of Côte de Beaune and Chablis
- Aligoté — secondary white grape; Bourgogne Aligoté AOC
- Gamay — Beaujolais and Bourgogne Passetoutgrain/Coteaux Bourguignons
Vintage Notes
- 2024: Devastating yields (mildew, frost in Chablis, hail) but outstanding quality. High-acid, terroir-transparent style. John Gilman (VFTC #121) compares red style to “1985 fruit + 2002 structure.” Biodynamic producers suffered most. Whites universally magical. Côte de Beaune had better yields than Côte de Nuits.
- 2023: Large crop, very good quality. Some whites show slight tropical notes from August heat spike. Reds excellent. Good stock in pipeline.
- 2002: High-acid classic vintage; long aging required; still a benchmark for structured Burgundy.
- 1985: Legendary for gorgeous, sappy red fruit; the vintage that defined a generation of Burgundy lovers.
- 1996: High-acid red vintage; only now (2026) starting to open with generosity after 30 years.
My Tastings
(none yet)
Sources
sources/articles/VFTC/VFTC Jan-Feb 2026 #121.pdf— John Gilman’s comprehensive 2024 vintage report