BURGUNDY

THE CÔTE D'OR

This region constitutes the essence of Burgundy and includes all the most renowned areas. Known as Côte d'Or, or 'the golden slope' (some argue that it should be called the 'eastern slope' due to its broad eastern orientation), it stretches over 60 km from southern Dijon in the north to the villages of Santenay and Maranges in the south.

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The vineyards on the steep slope follow a distinct arrangement: "village" and selected premier cru vineyards are located at the top, while premier and grand cru vineyards occupy the upper-middle and middle sections. At the foot of the slope, where the terrain levels out, there are again "village" vineyards and more generic Burgundy-level vineyards. Côte d'Or is fragmented by various valleys and ravines, all contributing to the region's diverse vineyards and microclimates. Places like Saint-Aubin or Auxey-Duresses, although part of the broader Côte d'Or, have their own unique characteristics.

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Côte d'Or is further divided into two halves: Côte de Nuits to the north and Côte de Beaune to the south. Each section is named after its central town - Nuits-Saint-Georges in Côte de Nuits and Beaune in Côte de Beaune. Among certain Burgundy enthusiasts, it is a common theme to ask whether someone prefers the wines from Côte de Nuits or Côte de Beaune, as if this choice somehow provides insight into their character. Typically, such questions are posed by those who are new to the realm of Burgundy wines.

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Côte de Nuits is primarily cultivated with the Pinot Noir variety (although exceptional Chardonnay vineyards can also be found) and stretches from southern Dijon, starting in Marsannay, down to Nuits-Saint-Georges, Corgolin, and Comblanchien, marking the border before the beginning of Côte de Beaune. The villages of Premeaux, Comblanchien, and Corgoloin in the southernmost part of the area are dotted with surrounding Côtes de Nuits village vineyards, and the northern villages, Marsannay, Fixin, and Brochon, with some premier cru vineyards, but also mainly with Côtes de Nuits village vineyards. In between, all the venerable villages unfold from north to south.

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·        Gevrey-Chambertin

·        Morey-Saint-Denis

·        Chambolle-Musigny

·        Vougeot

·        Echezeaux

·        Vosne-Romanée

·        Nuits-Saint-Georges

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Before the late 1800s, the villages were known simply as Gevrey, Morey, Chambolle, and others.

However, between 1850 and 1930, they gradually began appending the names of their most

exceptional vineyards. Morey, for instance, adopted the Saint-Denis suffix in 1927, marking the

conclusion of this practice. This naming tradition reflected the villages' desire to highlight their

most prized vineyards and their unique characteristics. Located in the valleys and hills to the west

of the Côte d'Or slope, at the southern extremity of the Côte de Nuits, is the Hautes Côtes de

Nuits region.

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The Côte de Beaune region also boasts several well-known areas, each contributing unique characteristics to the region's viticultural tapestry. Aloxe-Corton is celebrated for its robust reds and luscious whites, while Pommard is esteemed for its powerful and age-worthy Pinot Noirs. Volnay, in contrast, is known for producing more delicate and elegant red wines. Meursault is famous for its opulent and buttery Chardonnays, a characteristic shared with Puligny-Montrachet, recognized for its exquisite white wines.

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Chassagne-Montrachet, neighboring Puligny, is another Chardonnay haven, crafting wines with a fine balance of richness and acidity. St. Aubin, a hidden gem, offers both red and white wines, showcasing the diversity within Burgundy. Each of these appellations contributes to Burgundy's global reputation for producing some of the world's finest and most sought-after wines.

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THE CÔTE CHALONNAISE; MÂCONNAIS AND BEAUJOLAIS

South of the border of Côte de Beaune, the district of Côte Chalonnaise begins, stretching from the town of Chagny and a little more than 30 km further south to the small village of Sercy. The region includes, among others, the now-appreciated wines from the villages of Rully and Mercurey. The wines have gained recognition, mainly due to the rapidly rising prices of the wines from Côte d'Or. This makes the wines from the Chalonnaise region interesting in terms of the increasing quality relative to the pricing.

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East of Sercy, the Mâconnais district opens up just north of the town of Tournus and follows the Saône River's west bank southwards until just south of Mâcon city. The north-south span of the district is similar to the Côte Chalonnaise, and, similar to that region, the quality has significantly improved over the last few years. As of 2020, Pouilly-Fuissé climats, referring to specific vineyard sites, have earned the right to be classified as 1er Crus. The Pouilly-Fuissé wines are probably the most prominent and well-known of the region, but names such as Viré, Saint-Véran, and Vinzelles are worth keeping an eye out for. White wines with a golden-green color and aromatic, floral, and fruity aromas are the signature of the district, often followed by a pleasant toasted and nutty finish full of honey and flinty impressions.

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Following the west bank of the Saône River further south, the Beaujolais district unfolds as the southernmost region of Burgundy. Stretching over 55 km (82 miles) from north to south, the district encompasses 20,000 hectares, which is more than 40% of the Burgundy AOC vineyard area. Also, in Beaujolais, the quality has increased immensely during the latest years, generating wines that are highly demanded. Gamay is by far the dominant variety and creates fresh, fruity, and floral red wines. Coming from one of the famous 10 Cru de Beaujolais, these wines are additionally often supple, round, and fleshy. These are wines to drink young and can be enjoyed the whole year around.