Burgundy

The wines of Burgundy are as historically important as Bordeaux, but there are stark differences in grape, soil, attitude, weather, and commercial methods.  Where Bordeaux is classified by chateaux, Burgundy is classified by its vineyards.

In Bordeaux different grapes are blended (Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc), in Burgundy the wines are a product of a single grape variety (Pinot Noir for the reds, and Chardonnay for the whites). The chateaux owners in Bordeaux, whose hands rarely touch grapes except for photo shoots, come and go. In Burgundy, the domaines are passed down through the family, and the owners are nearly always the winemakers; and often the vineyard managers and commercial managers as well!

The region includes Chablis to the north, and the Macon and Beaujolais to the south, but the heart of Burgundy is the Côte d'Or, where all of the great vineyards and domaines are located.

Subregions