Best Wineries to Visit in Burgundy

Burgundy is popularly known for its vintage wine, especially the dry red wines of the Bourgogne region that are considered the best in the world. The wines are made from Pinot Noir grapes, which are grown on vineyards spread across the region that stretches from Chablis in the north to Macon in the south. Visiting the wineries in Burgundy is a dream for wine lovers, offering a chance to explore the rich history, heritage, and artistry of viticulture. In this article, we will cover the best wineries to visit in Burgundy and give you a sneak peek into the core of the region\’s viticulture and wine-making process.

The first winery you should visit is the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti (DRC), which is situated in Vosne-Romanée, a small village that holds the title of Burgundy\’s most prestigious winemaking commune. DRC produces only five wines, including the world-renowned Romanée-Conti, a red wine made from Pinot Noir grapes that DRC has been cultivating since the 11th century. The winery offers an intimate tour of their vineyards, cellars, and barrel rooms, during which visitors can sample rare bottles of wine and explore the winery\’s history.

The second winery on our list is the Château de Corton-André, located on the Hill of Corton, which forms an essential part of Burgundy\’s vineyard landscape. The château is surrounded by 38 hectares of vineyards that produce exquisite wines, including the hillside red and white wines of Aloxe-Corton, the Montrachet Grand cru, and the prestigious Le Corton Grand Cru. The winery provides an immersive experience of viticulture, winemaking, and wine tasting, complete with a tour of the chateau and a view of the surrounding vineyards.

The third winery on our list is the Domaine Faiveley, situated in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the wine capital of Burgundy. The winery has been in operation since 1825, producing different types of wine across its 120 hectares of vineyards. The winery\’s highlights include the Gevrey-Chambertin Premier cru, the Chambertin Grand cru, and the Clos des Cortons Faiveley Grand cru, which are the epitome of Pinot Noir grape wines. The winery tour includes tastings and an escort through the cellars and vineyards.

The fourth winery we recommend is the Maison Joseph Drouhin, situated in Beaune, Burgundy\’s wine capital. The winery has a vast vineyard network that spans over 73 hectares, producing some of Burgundy\’s finest wines, including the Meursault Premier cru, the Beaune Clos des Mouches Premier cru, and the iconic Chambolle Musigny Premier cru. The winery offers an immersive tour of their cellars, vineyards, and wine bar, where visitors can sample their wines and learn the history of the winery\’s operations over the past 140 years.

The fifth winery is the Château de Pommard, located in the heart of Burgundy\’s Côte d\’Or, the acclaimed wine-producing region of Burgundy. The chateau is home to a 20-hectare biodynamic vineyard that produces top-rated wines like the Clos Marey-Monge Premier cru, a red wine made from Pinot Noir grapes. The winery has a beautiful castle and gardens that offer an atmospheric backdrop for the winery tour. Visitors can sample various wines and appreciate the seclusion and natural beauty of the countryside setting.

Burgundy\’s Winemaking Process

Burgundy\’s winemaking process has a long and rich history that can be traced back to Roman times. Viticulture, the practice of growing grapes, and wine production are essential to the region\’s economy and culture. The region\’s winemaking process is unique and represents the epitome of French wine production. The winemaking process includes:

Vineyard management: Burgundy\’s viticulture is based on a complex legal framework that defines the type of grape cultivars that farmers can use, vineyard management practices, and wine classification systems. The Appellation d\’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) is the framework that governs wineries in Burgundy.

Harvesting: The harvesting process is carefully timed to ensure that the grapes are picked at peak ripeness. In Burgundy, harvesting is usually done by hand to prevent damage to the grapes.

Winemaking: After harvesting, the grapes are pressed, and the juice is allowed to ferment in stainless steel or wooden barrels. The aging process takes place in oak barrels, which imparts the wines\’ unique characteristics.

Bottling and labeling: The final stage in Burgundy\’s wine production involves bottling the wine and labeling it according to its class or appellation. The labeling includes information on the winery, vintage, grape variety, and region of origin.

Burgundy\’s Wine Classification System

Burgundy\’s wine classification system is one of the most complex in the world, with over 1000 vineyards classified as premiers crus or grand crus. The classifications are based on the region of origin, the type of grape cultivar, and the winemaker\’s reputation. Burgundy\’s wine classification system includes:

Regional wines: These wines are produced from grapes grown across the Burgundy region and are labelled as Bourgogne.

Village wines: These wines are produced from grapes grown within a specific village or winemaking commune and are labelled as Cote de Nuits, Cote de Beaune, or Maconnais.

Premier Cru: These wines are made from grapes grown in specific vineyards within a village or winemaking commune, and the wine is labelled according to the vineyard name, such as Gevrey-Chambertin Premier cru or Pommard Premier cru.

Grand Cru: These are the rarest and most expensive wines, made from grapes grown in the best vineyards in Burgundy, such as Romanée-Conti, La Tâche or Chambertin.

Best Time to Visit Burgundy\’s Wineries

The best time to visit Burgundy\’s wineries is during the grape harvest season, which takes place from September to October. The weather is mild, and the vineyards are ablaze with autumn color, making for a picturesque backdrop. Most wineries offer a variety of tours and tastings during the harvest season, making it an ideal time for wine lovers to visit the region.

Burgundy\’s Food and Wine Pairings

Burgundy\’s food culture is as rich as its wine culture. The region\’s cuisine is centered around beef and poultry dishes, cheese, and fresh produce. When choosing a wine to pair with your meal, we recommend the following:

Classic Burgundy Red wines: These wines pair well with dishes like beef Bourguignon, charcuterie, and roasted lamb.

White wines: White wines pair well with seafood dishes and cheese platters. Try pairing a Chardonnay with shrimp, crab cakes, or lobster.

Burgundy\’s Wine Festivals

Burgundy hosts several wine festivals throughout the year, highlighting the region\’s rich winemaking culture, history, and heritage. Here are some popular wine festivals to check out:

Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne: Held in March, this festival features tastings, dinners, and winery tours, showcasing Burgundy\’s latest vintage.

Fête des Grands Vins: Held in November, this festival features tastings of the top-rated wines of the year, accompanied by music, food, and cultural events.

Pouilly-Fuissé en Rock: Held in July, this festival features wine-tastings, vineyard tours, and live rock concerts.

Burgundy\’s wineries offer an immersive experience into the world of winemaking and viticulture. We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights into Burgundy\’s best wineries, viticulture, wine classification system, food pairings, and wine festivals. Plan your next trip to Burgundy now and indulge in the region\’s vintage wines.