Burgundy Wine Region Guide
Explore Burgundy, the spiritual home of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Learn about terroir, vineyard classifications, and why Burgundy wines are among the most sought-after in the world.
Key Grapes
Climate
Continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, significant vintage variation
Notable Wines
- Romanee-Conti
- Musigny
- Montrachet
- Corton-Charlemagne
Highlights
- Birthplace of terroir-driven winemaking
- Intricate classification of Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards
- Single-varietal wines showcasing vineyard character
- UNESCO World Heritage climate vineyards
Where Terroir Began
Burgundy is wine’s spiritual heartland, where the concept of terroir reached its purest expression. For centuries, Cistercian monks meticulously mapped these vineyards, identifying which plots produced distinctly different wines.
Understanding Burgundy Classifications
Regional (Bourgogne)
Entry-level wines from across the region, offering good value and introduction to Burgundian style.
Village
Wines from specific villages (Gevrey-Chambertin, Meursault, etc.), showing local character.
Premier Cru
Superior vineyards within villages, producing wines of complexity and distinction.
Grand Cru
The pinnacle - just 33 vineyards producing the world’s most coveted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Red Burgundy: The Pinot Noir Ideal
Nowhere else does Pinot Noir achieve such elegance and complexity. From the power of Gevrey-Chambertin to the finesse of Chambolle-Musigny, each village offers unique character.
White Burgundy: Chardonnay’s Home
The greatest Chardonnays come from Burgundy - Montrachet, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet. These wines balance richness with acidity, showing why Chardonnay earned its global reputation here.
Navigating Burgundy
Understanding Burgundy requires learning producers as much as vineyards. A great producer’s village wine often surpasses a lesser producer’s Premier Cru.
Explore Burgundy with Sommo
Use Sommo to decode Burgundy labels, understand the classification system, and discover quality producers at every price level.
