The Burgundy wine region, known as Bourgogne in French, is a prestigious area located in eastern France. Renowned for its exceptional wines, Burgundy boasts a winemaking history that stretches back over 2,000 years. The region is celebrated for its diverse terroir, a French term that encapsulates the unique combination of soil, climate, and topography that imparts distinct characteristics to the wine.
Burgundy is primarily known for two grape varieties: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The former produces some of the world’s finest red wines, while the latter is responsible for outstanding white wines. The region is divided into several sub-regions, each with its own appellations, including Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais.
The wines from Burgundy range from light and elegant to complex and full-bodied, reflecting the region’s varied microclimates and soils. Notable Grand Cru vineyards, such as Romanée-Conti and Montrachet, are revered globally and produce highly sought-after wines that are often seen as benchmarks of quality.
Burgundy’s commitment to traditional winemaking methods, combined with its unique terroir, has solidified its reputation as one of the world’s premier wine regions. Wine enthusiasts flock to this picturesque area to experience its rich heritage and savor the exquisite wines that have been honed over centuries.
Wine Guy on Skye have selected a very special example of a Burgundian Chardonnay – This Chardonnay comes from the southern end of Burgundy where there is more limestone in the soil, giving hallmark minerality to underpin the lovely creamy texture and roundness of fruit on the palate. Whilst we are familiar with the young, simple red wines known as Beaujolais Nouveau, Jean-Paul Brun, the best-known winemaker in the region, builds more complexity to create a food friendly wine that is equally content to be a sunset glass.