Wine production has always been unique to each region, adding to the fun of tasting and experiencing the drink. Not only can you taste its fruity or earthy flavour, but you can also immerse yourself in how each wine is made, its history, and where it came from. For centuries, specific wines from one place have constantly held a special place in the winemaking world–Burgundy wines.
Burgundy, or Bourgogne as it’s known in France, is located in the country’s east-central part and is famous for its outstanding wines. Some of the most admired and expensive wines globally are from this region. You might be wondering why Burgundy is renowned for its wines. How can it be different from the others?
Burgundy wine is known for its elegance, complexity, and unique flavours resulting from its specific growing conditions—what the French call “terroir.” According to Visit French Wine, the area was covered by a sea million years ago. This created limestone and marl soil, which helped produce the minerals needed to process the coveted Burgundian wines.
These wines from Burgundy indeed have many stories, so journeying through this region will be delightful whether you’re a connoisseur or just starting to explore. In this article, you will learn more about Burgundy wines, their characteristics, and why they are among the best wines in the world.
What Type of Wine is Burgundy Known For?
If you’ve been an enthusiast exposed to Burgundy wines for a while now, only two types of wines come to mind when the region is mentioned: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. However, if you’re new to the wine scene, you must know that the above wines are the region’s stars.
For Burgundy winemakers, the grapes used to produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have found their original home in their area. Most of them believe that in their area, the authentic characteristics of these grapes shine through. This fact is supported by the long years in the business of various wine producers in the area, like the Maison Louis Latour of the Latour family, who had been growing vines as early as 1760s.
The terroir—a term encompassing the soil, climate, and landscape—perfectly complements these grapes, bringing out their best qualities. As a result, these wines turn out to be elegant, aromatic, complex, and refined–a few common characteristics of a Burgundy-produced wine.
Though some other wines are produced in the region, like Pinot Gris, Gamay, and Sauvignon Black, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate the landscape.
Burgundy Wine Color
By now, you already know how renowned Burgundy is for its exquisite wines. So, let’s explore the wine colours this region offers the world.
As said earlier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the two primary grapes that define Burgundy’s red and white wines. In a guide written by Leah Walker, a luxury and food blogger, she mentioned that Pinot Noir vines cover 34% of Burgundy’s vineyards, accounting for 29% of its wine production.
Meanwhile, Chardonnay dominates the production of white wines, making up 48% of the vines and 68% of the overall output.
This data proves how famous and dominant the two mentioned wines are among Burgundy winemakers. Below is more specific information about the characteristics of these infamous red and white Burgundy wines.
Characteristics of Red Burgundy Wine
The star of red Burgundy wines is Pinot Noir. Wine enthusiasts find this wine famous for its elegance, complexity, and delicate yet intricate flavours. Sipping into a Pinot Noir, you can taste notes of red berries like cherries and raspberries with a hint of earthy and spicy undertones.
Burgundy winemakers believe that their red wines’ enhanced depth and unique flavour combinations result from the grapes’ compatibility with the region’s limestone and clay soils. Aside from Pinot Noir, Gamay is another red wine grown in Burgundy, but it’s not as dominant as the previous type as it only represents about 10% of the vines in the region.
Meanwhile, if you’re wondering what food to enjoy your Pinot Noir with, worry no more. Red Burgundy wines are highly versatile when it comes to food pairings. You can easily pair a glass of Pinot Noir with roast chicken and duck dishes, mushroom-based recipes, and lighter fare like salmon and tuna.
Characteristics of White Burgundy Wine
If you’re looking for the best French white wine, Burgundy offers some of the best Chardonnay globally. This type of wine is the region’s hallmark when it comes to white wines, offering a wide range of varieties and flavours.
White Burgundy wines can vary from crisp and mineral to rich and buttery depending on the winemaking style and the specific terroir. However, regardless of the wine texture, Burgundy Chardonnay has delicate floral, fruit, and mineral aromas, thanks to the area’s cooler climates and marl soils. Its full-bodied flavours are also why Burgundy Chardonnays are a delectable treat and experience.
The crisp, mineral-driven Chardonnays are best paired with lighter dishes like oysters and grilled fish, while the buttery versions complement lobster or roasted chicken with cream sauce. Overall, this type of white wine is commonly paired with creamy pasta and cheese.
Why Burgundy Wines Stand Out
Despite the many vineyards in the world that produce wines, the small region of Burgundy still stands out due to their unique terroir, rich history and tradition, and grape qualities and varieties.
Burgundy’s distinctive terroir imprints incredible character on its wines. The perfect mix of soil, climate, and landscape in the region, coupled with centuries-old winemaking traditions preserved by vintners, is why Burgundy wines are top-notch and in demand.
Alongside natural occurrences, Burgundian winemakers are also known to prioritise quality over quantity. Their winemaking process is meticulous, and they carefully employ traditional methods in their vineyards, ensuring that each bottle meets Burgundy standards.
As noted in the Food&Wine blog, June Rodil, master sommelier for Goodnight Hospitality, pointed out that the region’s wine popularity can be likened to the real estate market. This means that good quality land and the winemakers’ attention to caring for and cultivating it make this wine type of high value.
Burgundy Wines Among the Best French Wines
Burgundy wines are among the best French wines mainly due to their fitting geographic location paired with the makers’ dedication and craftsmanship. Due to this region’s natural advantage, it’s hard to duplicate a bottle of wine produced in this region.
Though other regions in France, like Bordeaux and Champagne, produce high-quality wines, Burgundy stands out because of its distinct, expressive taste. The two main wines in the region, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, are also among the finest wines in the world, making it another factor in the region’s popularity.
Another contributing factor to Burgundy’s esteemed wine reputation is that vineyard owners focus on small-scale production to ensure every wine bottle reflects its unique characteristics. Due to the region’s limited wine output, the demand for Burgundy wine bottles is high.
Some notable Burgundy wine producers in Burgundy are Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leflaive, Louis Latour and Domaine Leroy.
Discover More About Burgundy Wines
Burgundy wines are exceptional and popular due to their distinct flavours. However, more than the taste, a bottle of Burgundy wine tells a story and takes you on a journey that includes the region’s historical winemaking traditions and exceptional grape varieties.
Whether it’s the refined and aromatic Pinot Noir or the versatile and flavourful Chardonnay, Burgundy offers a genuinely unmatched wine experience.
If you want to discover more about the world and taste of this type of wine, now is the perfect time to start.
It’s a good thing Crystal Wines can assist you in getting a hand to your first Burgundy wine bottle. We are a leading wine shop in Singapore, trusted by over 70 wine agencies worldwide. The best part? You can explore Burgundy in the comfort of your home as we offer wine delivery within Singapore.