Unlike Bordeaux, the Burgundy AOC classification system is land-based which explains why several domaines in Burgundy can have wines from the same parcel. This system also limits the amount of wine which can be produced in a given appellation. The Bordeaux system is based on the classification of a château or a domaine and as the chateaux' land holdings increase, so can the production of those wines.
The Great Wines of Burgundy
One View of What Makes these Wines Great
- "The fixation of the Burgundy lover is easily explained: at their best, the reds and whites of Burgundy are perhaps the greatest wines in the world. It is not just their sensual pleasure that makes Burgundy wines alluring, however. They also have an intellectual component that wines from the many other regions lack. Like that elusive unifying theory of physics, great Burgundies at their best unite seemingly opposing forces: firm structue meets soothing gentleness, earthy minerality meshes with succulent fruit, immense power combines with ethereal delicacy. Is light a wave or a stream of particles? Great Burgundies inherently ask that same question" - Rajat Parr and Jordan Mackay
Côte d'Or
- Burgundy is most often associated with the sub-region of Côte d'Or, further subdivided into the northern area of Côte de Nuits and the southern area of Côte de Beaune and home to many of France's most expensive wines.
- "The thiry-mile slope of the Côte d'Or is likely the most thoroughly examined strip of land on the planet." - Rajat Parr and Jordan Mackay
Curated List Highlights
- This Curated List features wines from the Liv-Ex Burgundy 150 Index.
- These wines are some of the most sought-after, collectible, and investment-worthy Burgundy wines.
Cellar
Notes.
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1. Land-Based Classification
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2. Burgundy Classification System
There are 33 AOC Grands Crus parcels (1% of the production) which are considered the highest quality level, 44 AOC Villages further divided into Premier Crus parcels (10%) and Villages (36%), and 7 regional AOCs (53%).
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3. Côte d'Or Grapes
All red wines are made from Pinot Noir and whites are made from Chardonnay, unless indicated otherwise on the label. Other key allowable grapes are Gamay (red) and Aligoté (white), with very few exceptions.
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4. Iconic Côte de Nuits
The Domain Romanee-Conti (DRC) falls within this region. Famous villages include Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey St-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot and Vosne-Romaneée.
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5. Iconic Côte de Beaune
Famous villages include Volnay, Pommard, Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet.
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6. How the French Remember the Montrachet Family of Grands Crus
"Le Seigneur Montrachet, partant aux Croisades, confia sa fille pucelle à son Chevalier (-Montrachet) favori. En son absence, ce qui devait arriver arriva et un enfant naquit de cette union illégitime. De retour des Croisades, le Seigneur découvrit ce Bâtard (-Montrachet), qui se mit à pleurer en le voyant. Le Seigneur s’écria alors : « Criots-Bâtard » !!! Mais comme c’était un homme bien, il accueillit l’enfant dans sa famille par ces mots : « Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. ».
Curated Wine List
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