Burgundy - the epitome of wine culture

The Romans started growing wine around the year 280

Burgundy is a region or area in France (known as Bourgogne). Finds on rocks in Burgundy show that there was a dense human population as early as 15,000 BC. The Gauls settled in Burgundy from the 6th century until the arrival of the Romans. It was not until 59 BC that the Romans, under the leadership of Julius Ceaser, crushed the Gauls. However, unrest flared up in Burgundy in 52 BC, during which the Gauls attempted to reconquer Burgundy. This plan failed, however, and Julius Ceaser immediately and emphatically enforced a cultural Romanisation. Around 280, the Romans began to cultivate vines in the climatically favourable region of Burgundy. This is the birth of Burgundy wines and probably the oldest wine-growing tradition that has been passed down. Burgundy wines have lost none of their uniqueness to this day and are recognised worldwide as the most refined and well-rounded red wine.

A brief summary of events in Burgundy after Christ:

• 534 = Germanic Franks subjugated the indigenous population
• 843 = New dominions emerged - including dynasties
• 879 = "Boso of Vienne" became the new king of Lower Burgundy
• 888 = "Guelph Rudolf" was crowned king of High Burgundy
• 910 = Foundation of the Benedictine monastery of Cluny
• 1075 = a territorial duchy is established in Burgundy for the first time
• 1348 = Plague in Burgundy, half the inhabitants of Burgundy died
• 1789 = French Revolution
• 1790 = France was divided into regions
• 1956 = Burgundy was separated into 4 regions

The grape varieties

Four main varieties are cultivated and processed in Burgundy; these are rarely used as blends for other wines. Almost exclusively pure Burgundy wines are produced.

Chardonnay - The white grape for great Burgundy wines

Chardonnay is one of the white grape varieties and is known as a noble grape. It is the result of a cross between the "Pinot Noir" and the "Gouais Blanc" and ranks 7th in the list of the most widely planted grape varieties. It has comparatively few climatic requirements, which has greatly boosted its popularity worldwide and it now has fans on every continent. As it sprouts early, it should be grown in frost-free areas and have a calcareous soil as a base. The aroma of Chardonnay is less characteristic than that of Riesling, for example, and is characterised more by its full-bodied flavour. However, if the grapes are not ripe enough, the flavour can quickly become grassy and thin. The alcohol content of a Chardonnay should therefore be set higher to ensure a balanced ratio of flavour carriers. The typical flavour of a Chardonnay (white Burgundy) would be smoky, buttery with a hint of walnuts. Some of the highest quality white Burgundies are made from this grape variety. The epitome of white Burgundy is probably the single vineyard Le Montrachet in Chassagne-Montrachet. This wine from a good producer is not grandiose and infinitely rich in finesse. Its ageing potential is enormous, it only unfolds its bouquet after more than 8 years. The best Montrachet probably comes from the Domaine Romanee Conti and is produced in a vanishingly small quantity. These bottles are sold out before the harvest and hardly ever come onto the market. If you get a bottle of this Burgundy wine, you have to pay several thousand euros. However, other very good and sometimes inexpensive white Burgundy wines are produced, which are ready to drink earlier and are also extremely enjoyable.

Distribution of Chardonnay throughout the world - summary:

France = 42,047 hectares of land

Italy = 11,800 hectares of land

America = 44,500 hectares of land

Australia = 32,150 hectares of land

Moldova = 10,000 hectares of land

South Africa = 8,230 hectares of land

New Zealand = 3,802 hectares of land

Chile = 8,548 hectares of land

Slovenia = 3,600 hectares of land

Germany = 1,087 hectares of land

Pinot Noir - The epitome of red Burgundy

Pinot Noir is also known in German as Spätburgunder. This grape variety is one of the high-quality grape varieties for red wine and, like Chardonnay, is categorised as a noble grape variety. Pinot Noir is also used for the production of champagne.

DNA analyses have established that Pinot Noir has a direct lineage to the wild grape. This hereditary lineage makes it possible to produce flavourful blends with other wines.

Gamay (Beaujolais)

Gamay is a red grape variety that occupies 60% of the vineyards in the Beaujolais region of Burgundy. Pinot Noir and Gamay have been competing for the highest quality grapes in the region since the 14th century. Gamay berries are considerably larger, juicier and the skin of the grape is thinner than that of Pinot Noir. Due to these characteristics, Gamay is usually used for mass-produced wines with little structure and is produced for everyday consumption in Burgundy.

The grapes produce a sharp, candy-like raspberry and cherry flavour. The resulting cru wines are richer in flavour and are able to mature for several years and gain structure in the bottle. In general, a Gamay should be drunk young.

Aligote

Aligote is a white wine grape that is gradually being replaced by more "modern" varieties. The grapes are used to produce simple white wines and sparkling wines for everyday use and early consumption. Only a few of these Burgundy wines achieve a higher quality. The climate and the location of the vines are decisive for the subsequent ageing in the cellar. In good years, the quality is almost comparable to that of a Chardonnay and the Aligote develops multi-faceted flavours with ageing potential.

The "Cote D'Or"

The best red Burgundy wines come from the Cote D'Or (Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits). Names such as Musigny, Corton, La Tache, Romanee Conti, Richebourg, Clos Vougeot or St. Vivant are glamorous single vineyard sites. The best producers are Domaine Romanee Conti, Armand Rousseau, Jayer, Vogue, Noellat, Leroy, Domaine Marey Monge, Louis Latour, Rene Engel and Joseph Drouhin, to name but a few. The best vintages of red Burgundy were 1929, 1945, 1947, 1949, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1969, 1978, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1999 and 2005.

High ageing potential - but be careful!

It is always difficult to predict how well a Pinot Noir will age. As it requires special climatic conditions, the ageing potential is highly dependent on the vintage and cannot be answered in general terms. In addition, the cru location and the quality of the producer are of decisive importance. Top wines can be very long-lived and develop a fantastically complex flavour. Simple Burgundy wines or Bejaulaise Village wines are generally not advised to be stored for long periods. These Burgundies can be drunk young and fresh, are fun to drink but do not improve with age.

Guiding principle of the Burgundy wine region:

"Terroir is everything - where the wine grows determines its character."