Burgundy Wine

Burgundy Wines: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Grand Crus - buy direct from the producer

Burgundy is one of the most prestigious wine regions in France and the world. It is in this vineyard that some of the most renowned red and white wines in the world are produced. The land of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Burgundy offers grand crus as well as more accessible bottles that enhance your festive meals. Discover the different appellations of this vineyard, its climate, its flagship grape varieties, and the best food and wine pairings in our guide.

On Avenue des Vins, our selection of Burgundy wines is available through a short supply chain, directly from the cellars of Burgundy estates and winemakers, without intermediaries, with vintage freshness guaranteed.

The history of Burgundy wines

The Burgundy vineyard stretches across four different departments, from Auxerre to the outskirts of Lyon. It is divided into 4 sub-regions: Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais. During the Roman Empire, forests were cleared and then cultivated to produce grapes and wine. The monks carried on this work and perfected their winemaking methods throughout the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, the Burgundy vineyard has continuously identified the different terroirs and microclimates with precision by creating a multitude of appellations.

The Burgundy vineyard produces a majority of white wines, representing 70% of the regional plantings with a single grape variety, Chardonnay. Meanwhile, all red wine cuvées are made from Pinot Noir, which expresses all its potential on these lands and delivers magnificent wines. Although Burgundy wines open up more quickly than Bordeaux wines, they can age admirably for around ten years. By size, this vineyard is the smallest in France and represents less than 3% of the total national vineyard area, yet it has more than one hundred protected designations of origin and many diverse climates. Today, the vines cover nearly 30,000 hectares, of which almost 25,000 are classified as PDO.

The terroir and climate of Burgundy

From its very beginning, the Burgundy vineyard aimed to identify and classify the different climates and microclimates of its vines. Recently, the climates of the Burgundy vineyards were highlighted through their inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Since the Middle Ages, thanks to the hard work of the monks, the climates have been delimited according to a cadastral plan. These are small plots within appellations that differ according to their orientation, the geological nature of the soils, sunshine exposure, or a microclimate. There are nearly 1,463 climates spread across all the vineyards of the region, each with its own characteristics.

The 4 sub-regions of the Burgundy vineyard

Côte de Nuits — the cradle of great Pinot Noirs

Located south of Dijon, Côte de Nuits is the territory par excellence of age-worthy Pinot Noir. It is home to the most mythical appellations such as Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, and Vosne-Romanée. The limestone and clay soils give the wines structure, depth, and exceptional aging potential.

Côte de Beaune — the capital of great Chardonnay

Côte de Beaune produces some of the greatest white wines in the world, notably in Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, and Chassagne-Montrachet. The Chardonnays are renowned for their finesse, minerality, and aromatic richness.

Côte Chalonnaise — the accessible quality alternative

Less well known, Côte Chalonnaise offers quality wines at more accessible prices. Mercurey, Givry, and Rully offer fruity Pinot Noirs and fresh Chardonnays, perfect for discovering Burgundy.

Mâconnais — rich and fruity Chardonnay

In the south of the region, Mâconnais is renowned for its accessible and expressive white wines. Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran offer fresh, fruity, and mineral wines with excellent value for money.

Each bottle in our Burgundy selection is shipped directly from the estate by the winemaker himself — total traceability, preserved vintage freshness, and fair pricing guaranteed.

Emblematic estates and winemakers of Burgundy

The quality of Burgundy wines is based on the commitment of passionate winemakers. Among the essential references, the mythical Domaine de la Romanée-Conti embodies absolute excellence.

But the region also abounds in independent producers, to discover in our wine selection on Avenue des Vins: Domaine Arlaud, Jean-Claude Boisset, Domaine Faiveley, and Domaine des Croix.

These artisans perpetuate a unique know-how, combining tradition and innovation. Their cuvées, often from small plots, appeal through their elegance, liveliness, and aromatic depth.

The different appellations of Burgundy wines

Regional appellations of the Burgundy vineyard

In the Burgundy vineyard, there are 6 wine-growing regions divided into different AOCs:

• AOC Bourgogne (and Bourgogne Clairet)
• AOC Bourgogne Aligoté,
• AOC Bourgogne Mousseux,
• PDO Coteaux Bourguignons,
• AOC Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains,
• PDO Crémant de Bourgogne.

The AOC Bourgogne appellation has several denominations:

• Bourgogne-Chitry
• Bourgogne-Côte-Chalonnaise
• Bourgogne-Côte-d'Auxerre
• Bourgogne Côte-d'Or
• Bourgogne-Côte-Saint-Jacques
• Bourgogne-Côtes-du-Couchois
• Bourgogne-Coulanges-la-Vineuse
• Bourgogne-Épineuil
• Bourgogne-Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune
• Bourgogne-Hautes-Côtes-de-Nuits
• Bourgogne-La-Chapelle-Notre-Dame
• Bourgogne-Le-Chapitre
• Bourgogne-Montrecul
• Bourgogne-Tonnerre

Communal appellations of Burgundy wines

Communal appellations designate wines linked to their village of origin and represent one third of the region’s total production. They include:

Lower Burgundy:

• Chablis (Premier Cru and Grand Cru)
• Petit Chablis
• Irancy
• Saint-Bris
• Vézelay

Côte de Nuits:

• Marsannay
• Fixin
• Gevrey-Chambertin (Chambertin Grand Cru)
• Morey-Saint-Denis
• Chambolle-Musigny / Musigny
• Vougeot
• Vosne-Romanée
• Nuits-Saint-Georges
• Côte-de-Nuits-Villages

Côte de Beaune:

• Ladoix
• Aloxe-Corton (Corton and Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru)
• Pernand-Vergelesses
• Chorey-lès-Beaune
• Savigny-lès-Beaune (Savigny-lès-Beaune Premier Cru)
• Beaune
• Côte-de-Beaune
• Pommard(Pommard Premier Cru)
• Volnay
• Monthélie
• Auxey-Duresses
• Saint-Romain
• Meursault
• Puligny-Montrachet
• Blagny
• Saint-Aubin
• Chassagne-Montrachet (Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru, Montrachet / Bâtard Montrachet)
• Santenay (Santenay Premier Cru)
• Maranges

Côte Chalonnaise:

• Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise
• Bouzeron
• Rully
• Mercurey (Mercurey Premier Cru)
• Givry
• Montagny

Mâconnais:

• Mâcon (Mâcon Chaintré, Mâcon Supérieur, Mâcon Bray, Mâcon Chardonnay, etc.)
• Saint-Véran
• Pouilly-Fuissé
• Viré-Clessé
• Pouilly-Loché
• Pouilly-Vinzelles

Premier Crus and Grand Crus of Burgundy

Premier Crus represent less than 10% of the wine production of the Burgundy region. They are identified by the name of a communal AOC or PDO, followed by a plot or climat name such as Les Pucelles or Sous la Roche.

Finally, Grand Crus highlight the rarity of the wine and represent around 1% of the Burgundy vineyard. These plots of a few hectares in a precise climat enjoy worldwide renown, such as La Romanée, La Romanée-Conti, or La Tâche. These are prestige wines.

The main grape varieties of Burgundy wines

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is the red grape variety behind the great red wines of Burgundy, representing nearly 40% of the regional plantings. This emblematic grape variety offers a deep ruby color and produces notes of cherry and red fruits. The most prestigious cuvées develop aromas of cherry, blackcurrant, and flowers (violet, peony). On the palate, it reveals a fruity wine and elegant profile, with firm yet fine tannins and spicy flavors. At maturity, Grand Crus made from Pinot Noir develop a complex bouquet between dried fruits and undergrowth.

Gamay

This red grape variety, rare in the region, represents less than 3% of the vineyard. It offers aromas of red fruits such as cherry or redcurrant. On the palate, wines made from Gamay are pleasant and fresh. Wines from prestigious appellations can develop beautiful complexity with aging.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the emblematic grape variety of the great white wines of Burgundy, representing 51% of the plantings. Perfectly suited to the cool and temperate climate of the region, it produces pale-colored wines with notes of citrus, apple, and flowers (acacia). On the palate, it gives fluid wines with marked acidity. The Grand Crus of Burgundy reveal aromas of honey, dried fruits, and a rich texture on the palate.

Aligoté

This grape variety is mainly used to produce wines under the Bourgogne Aligoté appellation or PDO Crémant de Bourgogne. As a still white wine, it offers notes of citrus, green fruits, and white flowers, fresh and light on the palate. In sparkling form, it shows a fine balance between acidity and freshness.

Food and wine pairing: the best matches with Burgundy wines

A Burgundy wine with a starter

Burgundy wines pair perfectly with an aperitif or a starter. White wines such as Chablis enhance a shellfish platter. For a starter based on scallops, opt for a Saint-Véran. Fresh and mineral, a dry white Burgundy wine is ideal for a dinner aperitif.

A Burgundy wine with a main course

Dry white Burgundy wines pair perfectly with grilled fish or fish in sauce. Snails are enjoyed with a dry white wine from the Mâconnais area, such as a Saint-Véran or a Pouilly-Fuissé. Beef bourguignon, a classic of French gastronomy, is enjoyed with a red Burgundy such as a Hautes-Côtes de Beaune PDO.

A Burgundy wine with a dessert

For dessert, a Crémant de Bourgogne pairs perfectly with sweet dishes. For a cheese platter, a dry white Burgundy wine, such as a Mâcon, is also an excellent choice.

Avenue des Vins offers its Burgundy wines for direct sale from the producer — from mineral Chablis to age-worthy Gevrey-Chambertin, including Pouilly-Fuissé and Crémant de Bourgogne.

Burgundy is an emblematic wine region with its many estates and prestigious wines. On Avenue des Vins, discover a selection of the best Burgundy wines to enhance your meals and shared moments. Our cuvées, direct from Burgundy estates, are carefully selected to offer the best value for money.

Why do Burgundy red wines fascinate wine lovers around the world?

The international renown of Burgundy wines is explained by their unique ability to embody the quintessence of French wine terroir. Each plot, called a “climat,” reveals its own aromatic richness, the result of ancestral know-how passed down from generation to generation. These terroirs, often limestone-based, shape cuvées of great elegance, where minerality, tension, and subtle aromas of red and black fruits combine with unmatched finesse.

The parcel-based approach specific to Burgundy, centered on noble grape varieties such as Pinot Noir, gives rise to exceptional wines with nuanced aromas and flavors, sought after by every informed wine lover. The best red wines of this region appeal through their singularity, whether it is a delicately cellar-aged Premier Cru or a Grand Cru ready to elevate an exceptional meal.

How should a Burgundy red wine be properly stored?

A good wine deserves a cellar worthy of it. Burgundy wines, red as well as white, require optimal conditions: a stable temperature between 11 and 14°C, darkness, low humidity, and no vibrations. These precautions allow the best wines to reveal their full aromatic richness over the years.

A Burgundy red wine Premier Cru, for example, can improve for 10 to 20 years, gaining in complexity, breadth, and subtlety. Investing in proper storage also means preserving the emotional and gustatory value of a selection of great wines.

Immerse yourself in the aromatic richness of Burgundy red wines

Let yourself be seduced by characterful red wines, born from exceptional terroirs and shaped by passionate winemakers. At Avenue des Vins, we have selected cuvées for you that combine refinement, structure, and authenticity, perfect for accompanying your precious moments.

Explore emblematic appellations and discover rare vintages or wines to keep. Choose a wine with a strong personality, to enjoy today or let evolve in the cellar.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about Burgundy wines