Burgundy wine regions in France - our experiences and tips

Writer: Helena Bergström

What are the wine regions of Burgundy? We've been enjoying a week's exclusive cruise on the River Saône in France, and in the meantime we've learnt a lot about wine from the Burgundy region. We're far from experts, but we can tell you a little bit about the little things we've learnt so far.

Wine region in Burgundy

Burgundy, in France, is one of the world's most famous wine regions. The area is characterised by its soil conditions and the most famous grapes of the region are Pinot Noir (red wine) and Chardonnay (white wine).

We've been cruising the region, in a riverboat, for a week and we've learnt lots. At the same time, we've been humbled by all the things we don't know, because this is a whole science. Here we tell you a little bit about wine regions in Burgundy - soon the story of our cruise!

What do you need to know about Burgundy wine?

In Burgundy, they don't care about producers at all. What is important is was the wine is produced - in which district and on which vineyard plot. There are strict rules to follow for the production, which means that everyone does something similar. What affects the wine is the soil, not producers.

On a bottle of Burgundy wine, look at the capital letters. You should look for the region, village and/or vineyard. You can also look for the 'Premier Cru' and 'Grand Cru' quality labels.

You don't have to worry about the producer! And remember: some villages are more famous than others and from these a 'village wine' may be better than a 'Premier Cru' from elsewhere. But maybe that's a bit of a stretch... Let's start with the five wine regions of Burgundy!

Which grapes are used in Burgundy?

To simplify it a bit, there are two grapes used in Burgundy. Chardonnay used for white wine and Pinot Noir used for red wine. To complicate things a bit, there are also Gamay used in Beaujolais, just south of Maconnais. In addition, there are Aligoté used for Kir and Cremant (high quality French sparkling wine).

How can you learn more about wine and wine regions in Burgundy?

There are many ways to learn more about wine and wine regions in Burgundy. For example, you can travel around the region by car or motorhome and visit different vineyards, wine cellars and restaurants. We also recommend buying a map or book of the region to help you understand a little more.

We have also had a completely fantastic guidance via the exclusive river cruise with French Barge Holidays. Each day we visited new vineyards or other wine-related places and each evening we tasted new Burgundy wines together with useful information, adapted to our level of knowledge.

While we recognise that there is infinitely more to learn, we feel that we have raised our own level of knowledge by a whole bunch of notches.

1. chablis

The northernmost district of Burgundy is called Chablis. Wines from Chablis are mainly made from the Chardonnay grape and are generally very dry white wines, with high acidity. In this area you can find wines with Grand Cru status.

2. Côte des Nuits

The Côte de Nuits produces mainly red wine, from the Pinot Noir grape. The wines are usually medium-bodied and spicy, with flavours of berries such as raspberries, strawberries and cherries. If aged, they can take on more complex flavours, with notes of truffles or mushrooms, for example.

Here you will find, among other things Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, which is one of the world's most prestigious and most expensive wines.

The district also includes the town of Dijon and Clos de Vougeot, which is one of the larger vineyards in the area, and which has also been awarded a grand cru. Making a visit here is very interesting and pleasant!

3. Côte de Beaune

The Côte de Beaune produces both red and white wine, but mostly white. The region is particularly known for its Chardonnay wines, with several grand cru vineyards around the villages of Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet. 

In the city Beaune we visited Patriarch's House, which has a 240-year history. Here you can visit huge wine cellars that run the length of the city, and both taste and buy wine.

4. Côte Chalonnaise

Côte Chalonnaise is located in the southern part of Burgundy and produces more red than white wine. Rosé wine is also produced. Some farms have premier cru status.

In this district we visited a castle named Rully Castle. This castle has been in the same family for 26 generations, and if you want to go on a guided tour, it's with lord of the manor number 26.

5. maconnais

The Mâconnais district produces mainly white wine. For red wine, not only the Pinot Noir grape is used, but also Gamay. It is home to the town of Mâcon, which is a delight to explore with its historic houses, imposing church, restaurants, wine bars and shops.

Have you visited the wine regions of Burgundy?

Have you visited wine regions in Burgundy? Which ones have you visited? How was your experience?