Burgundy Destination Guide
Details
About Burgundy
Burgundy (Bourgogne in French) is France's most storied wine region, where centuries of monastic dedication and geological fortune have created some of the world's most sought-after wines. Stretching from Chablis in the north to Beaujolais in the south, this historic region produces wines of such specificity and terroir expression that a vineyard separated from its neighbor by mere meters can command vastly different prices and reputations.
Unlike Bordeaux's grand châteaux, Burgundy's wine culture is intimate and fragmented. Thousands of small family growers tending tiny vineyard parcels, often just an acre or two, passed down through generations. This is wine at its most personal, most place-specific, and most intellectually fascinating.
Climate & When to Visit
Burgundy enjoys a continental climate with four distinct seasons. September, when our journey takes place, is harvest season, arguably the most magical time to visit. Expect warm, sunny days (18-23°C/65-75°F) perfect for vineyard exploration, with cooler evenings (12-15°C/54-59°F) ideal for lingering over dinner. The vines are heavy with ripening grapes, the light turns golden across the hills, and the entire region hums with the energy of vendange (harvest).
Pack layers: mornings can be crisp, afternoons warm, and evenings cool. A light rain jacket is wise—September showers are brief but possible.
The Wine Regions You'll Explore
Chablis - The northernmost outpost of Burgundy, where Chardonnay achieves crystalline purity on Kimmeridgian limestone soils studded with ancient oyster fossils. Chablis is about restraint, minerality, and precision; wines that taste of stone and citrus with laser-like acidity.
Mâconnaise - Southern Burgundy's sunny disposition, where Chardonnay shows a warmer, more approachable personality. Pouilly-Fuissé leads the quality charge here, producing rich yet balanced whites that offer exceptional value compared to their northern neighbors.
Côte Chalonnaise - Burgundy's insider secret, producing wines of genuine quality at prices that haven't yet caught up with their excellence. From Mercurey's structured reds to Montagny's elegant whites, this region rewards the curious.
Côte de Beaune - White Burgundy's greatest expressions come from these hallowed slopes. Meursault's buttery opulence, Puligny-Montrachet's refined tension, Chassagne-Montrachet's mineral backbone—these are the wines that define a category. The reds (Pommard, Volnay) are no slouches either, offering silky elegance and surprising power.
Côte de Nuits - The holy grail for Pinot Noir lovers. Gevrey-Chambertin's masculine structure, Chambolle-Musigny's ethereal perfume, Vosne-Romanée's transcendent complexity—this narrow strip of hillside produces wines that collectors chase and connoisseurs revere. Here, Pinot Noir achieves its absolute pinnacle.
Understanding Burgundy's Classification
Burgundy's hierarchy is blessedly logical once you grasp it:
Regional AC - Basic Bourgogne, can come from anywhere in the region Village AC - Named after specific villages (Meursault, Pommard, etc.) Premier Cru - Exceptional vineyard sites within villages, labeled "Village Name + Vineyard Name + Premier Cru" Grand Cru - The pinnacle. Just 33 Grand Cru vineyards in all of Burgundy, named only by vineyard (Montrachet, Romanée-Conti, etc.)
You'll taste extensively through Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines, learning to identify what makes these sites so special.
The Châteaux
Château de la Resle (Chablis) - A beautifully restored 18th-century manor house set in formal gardens, offering the perfect introduction to château living. Elegant rooms, serene grounds, and proximity to Chablis's greatest vineyards make this an ideal first stop.
Château Romenay (Beaune area) - Your home base for a week, this historic property puts you at the heart of Burgundy's wine country. Surrounded by vineyards, offering modern comfort within period architecture, and positioned perfectly for exploring both Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.
Beyond the Vineyards
Beaune - Burgundy's wine capital, home to the spectacular Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu) with its iconic glazed-tile roof, cobblestoned streets lined with wine shops and bistros, and a medieval rampart walk offering vineyard views.
Dijon - Burgundy's historic capital (and mustard capital), where medieval architecture meets contemporary culture. The covered market halls overflow with regional specialties, while the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy reminds visitors that this region once rivaled the French crown in power and wealth.
Burgundian Cuisine
Wine isn't Burgundy's only claim to culinary fame. Expect to encounter:
- Bœuf Bourguignon - The definitive beef stew, slowly braised in red Burgundy
- Coq au Vin - Chicken braised in wine with lardons and mushrooms
- Escargots de Bourgogne - Snails in garlic-parsley butter (better than you think)
- Œufs en Meurette - Poached eggs in red wine sauce
- Époisses - Burgundy's famously pungent washed-rind cheese
- Gougères - Addictive cheese puffs, perfect with wine
- Cassis - Blackcurrant liqueur from Dijon, the base of Kir cocktails
Every meal becomes an education in terroir. The same limestone that shapes the wines influences the pastures that feed the Charolais cattle.
Practical Information
Language - French is the primary language, though many in the wine trade speak English. Learning a few key phrases (bonjour, merci, s'il vous plaît) goes a long way.
Currency - Euro (€). Credit cards widely accepted, though small cash amounts useful for markets.
Tipping - Service is included in France. Small additional tips (rounding up, or 5-10% for exceptional service) are appreciated but not expected. All gratuities on our journey are included.
Pace of Life - Burgundy moves slowly, intentionally. Lunch is a two-hour affair. Shops close midday. Dinner starts late and lingers. This isn't inefficiency. It's the art of living well.
Wine Etiquette - Swirling, sniffing, and contemplative silence over your glass aren't pretentious here. They're respectful engagement with centuries of craft. Questions are always welcome; pretending to know more than you do is the only faux pas.
What Makes This Region Special
Burgundy rewards the intellectually curious. Unlike regions where a single château controls vast vineyards, here you'll encounter the concept of "climat", the Burgundian term for precisely delineated vineyard parcels, each with its own name, history, and personality. UNESCO recognized Burgundy's climats as a World Heritage site, acknowledging that this patchwork of small vineyards represents one of humanity's most sophisticated expressions of terroir.
You'll learn to taste the difference between two Grand Cru vineyards separated by a stone wall. You'll understand why a Premier Cru from a great producer can outshine a mediocre Grand Cru. You'll grasp why collectors pay astronomical prices for wines from this narrow ribbon of hillside.
Most importantly, you'll discover that Burgundy isn't just about wine. It's about the intersection of geology, history, climate, human dedication, and time. It's about knowing that the monks who first mapped these vineyards in the Middle Ages were onto something profound. It's about understanding that great wine is, ultimately, great agriculture meeting patient winemaking.
By journey's end, you'll fall in love with Burgundy, just as we have.