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Burgundy

France

Burgundy

CÔTE DE NUITSCÔTE DE BEAUNECÔTE CHALONNAISEDijonBeauneNuits-St-GeorgesMeursaultChalon-sur-Saône

Côte d’Or & Côte Chalonnaise · tap a village

About Burgundy

Burgundy (Bourgogne) stands as one of the world's most revered wine regions, producing wines of extraordinary complexity and elegance from its patchwork of carefully classified vineyards. The region stretches from Chablis in the north through the Côte d'Or (comprising the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune), continuing south through the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais. Pinot Noir reigns supreme for red wines, while Chardonnay produces the region's celebrated whites. The concept of terroir reaches its fullest expression here, where subtle differences in soil, exposure, and microclimate create distinctly different wines from neighboring plots. The classification system—from regional wines through village, Premier Cru, and Grand Cru—reflects centuries of viticultural observation and remains the template for quality hierarchies worldwide.

118–545 m

Elevation range

redwhite

Wine styles

46 Appellations

Avg. slope 6.7°

Vintages

76 · 1984–2024

Rating:
95+
90-94
85-89
80-84
<80
PeakReadyHold
Year20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984
Red
—
—
—
—
—
—
White

Outstanding Burgundy Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Red

2022

Almost ready
95Exceptional

An excellent vintage of power and generosity. Warm, dry conditions from bud break through harvest produced concentrated wines with ripe, sweet tannins.

2027Peak 2030–20402045

2021

Ready
92Excellent

A classic Burgundy vintage in every sense. After devastating April frosts that reduced yields dramatically, the surviving fruit benefited from a cool, slow-ripening summer.

2026Peak 2030–20422046

2020

Ready
94Excellent

An exceptional vintage that will be remembered for generations. Hot, dry conditions concentrated the fruit remarkably, yet the wines retain freshness and harmony.

2025Peak 2030–20502055

2019

Ready
93Excellent

A rich, sun-kissed vintage of immediate appeal. Warm conditions produced wines of notable generosity with ripe, sweet fruit and polished tannins.

2024Peak 2028–20432048

2018

At peak
91Excellent

A generous, hedonistic vintage of immediate pleasure. The hottest summer on record in Burgundy produced ripe, forward wines with soft tannins.

2023Peak 2026–20382042

2015

Ready
95Exceptional

One of the great Burgundy vintages of the modern era. Warm, dry conditions produced wines of exceptional concentration and depth, yet with brilliant freshness and precision.

2023Peak 2028–20502055

2012

At peak
92Excellent

An outstanding vintage of energy and precision. Following three difficult years, 2012 delivered classic wines of great purity.

2020Peak 2024–20352040

2010

At peak
93Excellent

A great classic Burgundy vintage. Cool conditions produced wines of extraordinary elegance and purity.

2018Peak 2022–20352040

White

2023

Ready
90Excellent

Heat stress challenged the vintage, but white wines fared better than anticipated. The best show surprising freshness despite the warm conditions, with ripe tropical notes balanced by sufficient acidity.

2026Peak 2028–20322035

2022

Ready
93Excellent

An outstanding vintage of power and concentration. The hot, dry season produced rich, golden wines with ripe fruit and lower acidity than cooler years.

2025Peak 2028–20352038

2021

Ready
93Excellent

A superb vintage of tension and energy. The frost-reduced yields concentrated the surviving fruit remarkably.

2025Peak 2028–20362040

2020

Ready
94Excellent

An exceptional vintage of remarkable depth and complexity. Hot conditions produced concentrated wines, yet careful harvesting preserved freshness.

2024Peak 2028–20402045

2019

At peak
92Excellent

A generous vintage of immediate appeal. Warm conditions produced rich, rounded wines with ripe fruit and soft acidity.

2023Peak 2026–20342038

2018

At peak
91Excellent

An opulent, forward vintage. Record heat produced rich, golden wines with tropical fruit notes and soft acidity.

2022Peak 2024–20322035

2017

At peak
92Excellent

Frost devastated red wine production but spared many white wine vineyards on higher slopes. Where vines survived, excellent quality was achieved.

2021Peak 2024–20312035

2015

At peak
91Excellent

A fine vintage of power and freshness. Warm conditions produced concentrated wines with excellent ripeness, yet acidity was well-preserved.

2019Peak 2022–20302035

2014

At peak
92Excellent

An outstanding vintage of precision and energy. September sun rescued what looked like a difficult year.

2018Peak 2021–20282032

2012

At peak
91Excellent

An excellent vintage of balance and purity. After three challenging years, nature delivered classical conditions.

2016Peak 2020–20262030

2010

At peak
94Excellent

A magnificent vintage of crystalline purity. Cool conditions produced wines of extraordinary tension and minerality.

2015Peak 2020–20322040

2009

Drink now
90Excellent

A rich, opulent vintage of immediate pleasure. Warm conditions produced generous wines with ripe fruit and soft acidity.

2014Peak 2018–20252030

Villages

Classification System

Burgundy classifies its vineyards into a strict quality hierarchy based on terroir. The best plots have been identified over centuries.

Grand Cru

The finest vineyards, just 1% of production

Premier Cru

Exceptional named vineyard sites

Village

Wines from a specific commune

Régionale

Broad regional appellations like Bourgogne

What Burgundy produces

Red

Almost exclusively Pinot Noir, from light village wines to profound Grand Crus.

White

Predominantly Chardonnay, with crisp Aligoté as a regional alternative.

Rosé

Only from Marsannay and the Hautes Côtes, a rare Burgundy specialty.

Sparkling

Crémant de Bourgogne in traditional method, mainly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Regional appellations

Crémant de Bourgogne

Traditional method sparkling wines from across Burgundy, made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Aligoté.

Bourgogne AOC

The regional appellation for red and white wines from anywhere in Burgundy. Often excellent value.

Bourgogne Aligoté

Crisp, mineral white wines from the Aligoté grape, grown throughout the region.

Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains

A blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir, light and easy-going.

Notable producers

Estates that shape how this region tastes.

Domaine de la Romanee-Conti

Most celebrated estate in Burgundy

Domaine Leroy

Biodynamic, intensely concentrated Pinot Noir

Domaine Leflaive

Benchmark Puligny-Montrachet whites

Coche-Dury

Cult Meursault, supreme white Burgundy

Domaine Armand Rousseau

Definitive Chambertin and Gevrey

Comte Liger-Belair

La Romanee monopole, old-vine Vosne

Dugat-Py

Concentrated old-vine Gevrey crus

Domaine Roulot

Finest Meursault, precise Chardonnay

Grapes of Burgundy

Pinot Noir

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
strawberryraspberryred cherryviolet

The benchmark Pinot Noir. Côte de Nuits leans structured and dark-cherried, Côte de Beaune turns perfumed and supple, both ageing into forest floor and truffle.

Chardonnay

Body
Sweetness
Acidity
green applelemonpearnectarine

Chardonnay's homeland. Chablis stays steely and citrus-driven, the Côte de Beaune turns rich and hazelnutty, the Mâconnais sits comfortably between.

Gamay

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
raspberryred cherryplumcranberry

Bourgogne Gamay and Passetoutgrain blends. Lighter, simpler than Beaujolais crus.

Sauvignon Blanc

Body
Sweetness
Acidity
grassasparaguspassion fruitgrapefruit

Crisp, mineral, sometimes with light oak. Saint-Bris is Burgundy's only Sauvignon.

Aligoté

Body
Sweetness
Acidity
lemongreen appleelderfloweralmond

Burgundy's sharper-edged white. Lemon, green apple, and chalky minerality on mouthwatering acidity; Bouzeron is the only village exclusively dedicated to it.

Climate

continentalwarm summersmaritimecold winters

Continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, moderated by maritime influences. The marginal growing conditions create elegant wines with bright acidity and complex aromatics, though vintage variation can be significant.

Terroir

diverse soilsmarlclaylimestone

The famous Côte d'Or features limestone-rich soils with varying amounts of clay and marl on east-facing slopes. Chablis sits on ancient Kimmeridgian limestone with fossilized oyster shells, while the varied geology throughout creates distinct microclimates that give each vineyard its unique personality.

Typical Aromas

red cherrywet limestoneforest floorrose petalsearthy mushroomviolet
Explore the aroma wheel

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Burgundy wine special?▼
Burgundy is special because of its incredibly complex terroir - a patchwork of carefully classified vineyards that produce wines of extraordinary elegance and complexity. The region's unique limestone soils and continental climate create perfect conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to express pure, distinctive flavors that can't be replicated anywhere else in the world.
What are the best Burgundy vintages?▼
Recent standout vintages include 2022 (excellent for both reds and whites), 2021 (superb whites with great tension), and 2020 (exceptional across the board). The 2020 reds are particularly special and will be remembered for generations, while 2022 delivered power and generosity from the warm, dry growing season.
What grapes are grown in Burgundy?▼
Burgundy focuses almost exclusively on two noble grapes: Pinot Noir for the reds and Chardonnay for the whites. There are tiny amounts of other varieties like Aligoté and Gamay, but these two stars represent 99% of what makes Burgundy legendary.
Is 2022 a good year for Burgundy?▼
2022 is excellent for Burgundy - it earned a perfect 5/5 rating for reds and 4/5 for whites. The hot, dry conditions from bud break through harvest produced wines with remarkable power and generosity for the reds, while the whites show outstanding concentration and depth.
When should I drink Burgundy 2022?▼
For 2022 Burgundy whites, you can start enjoying them now through about 2030-2032, as they have great power and concentration. The 2022 reds will benefit from 3-5 years of aging and should drink beautifully from 2027 through 2040, given their generous structure and excellent vintage quality.
What food pairs well with Burgundy wines?▼
Burgundy Pinot Noir is magical with duck, game birds, mushroom dishes, and classic Burgundian fare like coq au vin or beef bourguignon. The Chardonnays pair beautifully with roasted chicken, lobster, creamy cheeses like Époisses, and dishes with rich, buttery sauces - the wine's elegance complements rather than overwhelms the food.
How does Burgundy compare to Bordeaux?▼
Burgundy and Bordeaux are completely different styles - Burgundy focuses on single varietals (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) that emphasize elegance, finesse, and terroir expression. Bordeaux uses blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and others to create more powerful, structured wines. Think of Burgundy as poetry and Bordeaux as prose - both beautiful, but in very different ways.

Map data: INAO, Cadastre, manual adjustments