Wines of the Burgundy Region
The area between Lyon in the south and Chablis in the north encompasses the vineyards of Burgundy. They are celebrated for their superb quality wines, both red and white.
Until the French Revolution, in 1789, most of Burgundy's vineyards were owned by the Roman Catholic Church. After the revolution, they were taken over and split into small lots called climats that were sold off to groups of local farmers.
Co-ownership of Burgundy's vineyards is a tradition that still continues. Today, for example, the Clos de Vougeot vineyard is owned by as many as eighty-five wine growers. Each grower is entitled to sell his own wine using that vineyard's name.
Burgundy's finest quality wines are usually Domaine bottled by the individual grower and sold under the vineyard label. A significant proportion of a vineyard's lesser quality wine is sold on to "négociants" who use it for blending. More than three quarters of Burgundy's production is red wine, with the majority of its highest quality reds being made from the Pinot Noir grape.
Burgundy is divided into six wine regions:
Chablis
The distinctive flinty, dry whites from this area, made from the chardonnay grape, are renowned for their high quality. They are recommended to accompany shellfish or refined foods.
Côte de Nuits
This area is famous for its full-bodied red wines that mature into velvety wines of incomparable quality.
Côte de Beaune
This area is famous for its fine, subtle red wines. Côte de Beaune also produces some first class white wines.
Côte Chalonnaise
Lighter reds are produced in this district. They mature quickly, but sometimes are not as elegant as wines from other areas.
Côte Mâconnaise
This area produces large quantities of light red, fruity wines, usually sold as Mâcon Rouge or Mâcon Supérieur. The most famous Mâconnaise wine is white Pouilly Fuissé, made from the chardonnay grape.
Beaujolais
Some white wines are produced in this region, but Beaujolais is most famous for its light, fruity reds. Generally, the wine is sold under the name of the parish where it is produced. Beaujolais wine is made from the gamay grape.
Burgundy wine is renowned worldwide for its consistently high quality. Together with Bordeaux, it is recognised as one of the main classic wine growing regions of France.