Why Visit Burgundy? Part 2: The Grapes
Come to Burgundy to Experience the Best Everyday Wines Made
Why visit Burgundy? There are so many different types of wines available from all over the world, why should you go for Burgundy wines? There are also many holiday destinations with their own wine culture around the world – why should Burgundy be the top of your list? The answer to these questions will take us on a journey of discovery, starting from the Kings, Dukes, and monks of Burgundy's history and leading us to the present day. Along the way, we'll explore the rolling hillsides, mysteries of the terroir, and meet some colorful characters. In this part of our "Why visit Burgundy?" series, we'll focus on the grapes that are used to make Burgundy wine (Bourgogne in French). We'll learn why they are so special, how they differ from other grapes, and how they came to dominate the wine industry.
Why Visit Burgundy? For the Best Pinot Noir Wines in the World
Red wine from Burgundy is made almost exclusively from the Pinot Noir grape, with only a small amount produced from Gamay, notably in Beaujolais. Pinot Noir has dominated the region since the 14th century, when it was first cultivated by monks. The name "Black Pine" grape comes from the cone-shaped clusters formed on the vine during ripening. The deep, rich red color of Burgundy wines is not a coincidence. Pinot Noir is a complex, ancient grape that is over 1,000 years older than Cabernet Sauvignon and pairs well with many foods. This is especially useful in Burgundy, known as France's gastronomic heartland, where the region's beautiful cuisine is world-renowned. One reason to visit Burgundy is that it is a specialist region, unlike other wine regions where multiple grapes compete for attention. There is virtually no blending of grapes in Burgundy wine, making it a reverent homage to just two amazing grapes.
Chardonnay and the Best Burgundy White Wines You’ll Ever Need
The other grape that Burgundy is founded on is the Chardonnay grape. White Burgundy is overwhelmingly made from this grape (though not quite all – read on for more on that below). But don’t think for a moment that means that all the Chardonnay grapes are the same – there are in fact over thirty varieties of it grown in Burgundy today. Perhaps nowhere in the world are the producers as specialist in Chardonnay growing than here. When you visit Burgundy and get to know them, you are choosing their knowledge, their passion, which they have developed over many centuries and through several generations. You’ll be a part of their journey, which began so long ago.
When you choose Burgundy Chardonnay, you're not only getting one of the best and most exquisite aromas and flavors in the wine world, but also a taste that is unique to the Burgundy region. Chardonnay is one of the best grapes in the world for its ability to produce a variety of wines, each with its own distinct taste and aroma, depending on where it's grown. In the northernmost region of Chablis, for example, Chardonnay produces minerally, stony wines, while in the Côte D'Or (Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune), it creates full-bodied wines that are often blended with a little oak. As you move further south into the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais, the grape produces some of the ripest and fullest Chardonnays that Bourgogne has to offer. All in all, the grape works hard to be the best it can be, wherever it grows, making Burgundy an excellent choice for wine lovers.
But is it simple chance that these two grapes which are a match made in wine heaven are grown together in Burgundy – the undisputed King and Queen of the vineyards? Well, Chardonnay is actually a sort of cross-over grape, whose roots lie somewhere between a rare grape called Gouais Blanc and Pinot Noir itself. This is perhaps the main reason why they grow so well together. You’ll also find the two coexisting happily by one another in wine growing regions like USA and Chile.
Why Visit Burgundy? To Discover Burgundy’s ‘Other’ Grapes
We’re not done yet - there are more grapes to discover here, more reasons to visit Burgundy, despite many people believing all of Burgundy to be about just the two grapes. One such ‘other’ grape is Aligoté, which is a grape variety that comes from the Pinot and Gouais Blanc grapes. Although not commonly known, it is quite popular with wine growers in Eastern Europe. Countries like Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine have thousands of acres of Aligoté vineyards, and it has a devoted following. Switzerland and California also grow it, sometimes blending it with Semillon or Riesling. Although Aligoté makes excellent wines in France too, it is not as well-known as other grape varieties.
A group called Les Aligoteurs has emerged to support the production and promotion of Aligoté wine. The group was created in 2018 by chefs and winegrowers in Burgundy. They organize tastings and events to encourage the production of Aligoté. Philippe Delacourcelle, who is a founding member and chef, has more than 12 Aligoté wines on his restaurant's menu. The name "Les Aligoteurs" is a combination of two words, "Aligoté" and "authors," and is a play on the word "alligator," which happens to be their mascot.
There are some French producers who have been making excellent Aligoté wines for years, though you can still find sub-standard ones, as is the case with all wines. burgundywine.com by Elden Selections knows where to find the best Aligoté wines, and offer them from producers such as:
Julien Cruchandeau, who is something of a flag-bearer for lesser-known appellations and has taken on the Aligoté grape as a badge of honor
Domaine Mouton, run by Gerard Mouton and his son Laurent, also work vines in the appellation Givry in the Côte Chalonnaise, including some Aligoté that are more than 50 years old
Pierre Thibert, another producer whose Aligoté has a passionate following. He built a solid family domain, a world-class reputation, and a sophisticated style over the course of a single generation.
Visit Burgindywine.com and Find Accessible, Everyday Wines at Great Prices
There is another answer to the question, "Why Visit Burgundy..." Despite being known for producing some of the best and often most expensive wines in the world, it is also home to some of the most affordable and accessible wines. This means you can get the highest quality without having to pay the highest prices. That’s particularly true when it comes to sparkling wines, where Crémant de Bourgogne represents a truly world-beating alternative to Champagne. Check out the best Crémant de Bourgogne we have to offer here.
Just bear in mind when visiting Burgundy that choosing wines can require some care and knowledge. If you visit in person, come and stay at the Domaine de Cromey to experience a wine journey through Burgundy like no other. And if you can't come in person, you can visit the wines of Burgundy at burgundywine.com by Elden Selection's whose main goal is to bring the best small and lesser-known appellations for red and white wines to a wider audience. This doesn't mean that you should only drink Burgundy wines. In fact, trying wines from other countries and regions can help you gain more context and perspective on your wine knowledge. Nevertheless, Burgundy wines speak for themselves in terms of their pedigree and devotion to quality. Although Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are grown in other regions, they are never grown on the same hallowed terroir as in Burgundy and nowhere are the results so magical.
We hope we have answered your Why Visit Burgundy questions here, but to learn more reasons, why not join our club? As a member of our Burgundy Wine Club, you'll receive full tasting notes for all of our wines. Additionally, we'll provide you with exclusive hand-selected wines from our top producers. And, as a bonus, you'll be automatically entered into a prize draw for a 4-day stay at Domaine de Cromey, our beautiful Burgundian home surrounded by vineyards. Be sure to also check out our Cromey blog by clicking here.
