The wines of Burgundy

The wines of Burgundy

The wines from the famous vineyards of the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits are listed as Word Heritage with UNESCO.

Burgundy is one of the most famous and influential wine growing regions in the world. The first vines were introduced by the Romans, and later the industrious Cistercian monks developed the techniques and knowledge required for much larger scale production.

 

Les Vendanges As the monks began to explore the region of the Saône valley, they came across the stream of "Vouge" near the town of Nuits Saint Georges, it was here that they built the Clos de Vougeot and began planting vines of the south-east-facing slopes of the Côte de Nuits.

The monks knew the climate and soil were exactly what was required to grow grapes, all the ingredients were there to begin the incredible adventure of Burgundy red, white and rosé wines. History has proved that they were right.

Wine tours

Discover the Burgundy Vineyards with Max’s Private Wine tours. Visit the famous and exclusive wines of the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, wine tasting, restaurant, cellars and tours of the most renowned Crus with the expert guidance of Mr Max Renau.

One-day wine tours with the local expert Sue Boxel and Burgundy On A Plate, you have a choice of wine tours in the different vineyards and variations with food, cheese and lunches. Sue's wine tours are highly rated and very appreciated by both the novice and connoisseur.

 

Burgundy pinot noire grapes

The great Burgundy vine-yards

Northern Burgundy

  • Chablis
  • Irancy
  • Epinel

Côtes de Nuits

  • Fixin
  • Gevrey Chambertin
  • Nuits Saint Georges
  • Vosne-Romanée
  • Clos de Vougeot

Côtes de Beaune

  • Aloxe Corton
  • Chassagne Montrachet
  • Mersault
  • Pommard
  • Puligny Montachet
  • Savigny les Beaune
  • Volnay

A view from Volnay

The vineyards do not suddenly stop but continue towards the south following the river Saone and Rhone valley, they then become the regions of Chalonais, Maconnais and the Beaujolais…

Wine-growing areas

There are hundreds of square kilometres of vines in Burgundy, you can taste wine in almost every village. There are also touristic routes such as the "Route de Grand Cru" which will take you through some of the most interesting areas.

The Côtes de Nuits & Cotês de Beaune

Map Cote de Beaune and Nuit wines

As you can see, the vineyards of the Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune begin to the south of Dijon, moving south-westwards following the valley made by the river Saône. They will then join the Chalonaise, Maconaise, Beaujolais and final the Cote du Rhone vines. Although there is no real production of wine alongside the canal, some people have begun to introduce Bio wines in fields which produced wines many years. For example near the small village of Malain a few miles from Dijon there is a production of sparkling Cremante white wine

The Chablis region in northern Burgundy

Chablis wine region map

In northern Burgundy, you will find the well known dry white wine vineyards of Chablis, which is always a Chardonnay grape. Located near the town of Tonnerre along the canal, you have the lesser-known red wines of Irancy.