The total number of Appellations in Burgundy is often misinterpreted
Although there are around 700 individually named vineyards. The total number of Appellations is 84 according to Frances AOC laws
From the basic regional level appellation all the way to the Grand Cru these Appellations guarantee the quality of wine produced in Burgundy
84 Appellations is still a lot to remember
However, even though each appellation shows a unique expression of Burgundy's terroir getting familiar with the most prestigious is the best place to start
Starting in burgundy is north with the sub region of the cote de nuit. We find the village and appellation of Gevrey-Chambertin
Located just twelve kilometers south of Dijon and one of the oldest vineyard sites in Burgundy, Gevrey-Chambertin
vineyards date back almost 2,000 years to Gallo Roman times
This incredible appellation is home to some of the most sought-after wines in the world all of which are made from Pinot Noir
It has nine Grand Cru vineyards more than any other village in Burgundy the suffix in the name
Gevrey-Chambertin actually originates from one of these Grand Cru vineyards - The Chambertin
A naming trend which was first seen here in 1847, but is now replicated all over Burgundy
Gevrey-Chambertin wines are often defined by a deep full-colour
Concentrated nose of red berries plum and earthy aromas. They are usually medium to full-bodied with great structure and a long finish
Travelling just a few kilometers south in the Cote De Nuit, we reach Chambolle-Musigny a small a very special village
Like Gevrey-Chambertin, the town of Chambolle added the name of its most famous vineyard Le Musigny to the villagers name in
1882
with a population of less than
500 people this tiny village has around 20 wine producers all of which maintain a close relationship to ensure the prestige of this
appellation.
A more delicate style of Pinot Noir, Chambolle-Musigny wines are typically a bright ruby colour with red fruit spice and pretty floral aromas
The wine has an elegant structure. Thanks to a well-defined minerality and a beautiful long finish
Moving to the Cote De Beaune, we find the town and appellation of Beaune and the centre of Burgundy's wine trade
with over twenty thousand inhabitants
Beaune is a beautiful town of cobbled streets and winding roads with many of Burgundy's largest negociants based here
Beaune also boasts the famous hospice de Beaune a 15th century hospital
Which is one of the most well preserved examples of French Renaissance architecture
It now hosts the most famous wine auction in the world on the third Sunday of each
November where many bottles sell for tens of thousands of pounds
Although the Cote de Beaune sub region is known primarily for its world-class white wines that Beaune appellation produces primarily red
There are no Grand Cru vineyards
But there are a number of incredible premier crus which produce a wide variety of beautifully
Well-balanced red wines that make a great introduction to red burgundy
These wines usually show some pure black fruit and floral aromas
Enhanced with spices and earthy notes their medium to full-bodied with red berries and a linear mineral finish
So how do Beaune reds differ from other villages? Beaune is an incredible patchwork of different places.
It's quite vast
You have the North of the village which compares more to the Cotes de Nuits, more masculine
We have this vineyard in Beaune Marconnets where we produce some very powerful wine and the last again
We have a big structure
then if you go further south you have a Beaune Greves. Les Greves means sand
So it's a more
feminine
Precocious
Terroir we pick the grapes earlier and the wines are more tender and then you have the Beaune Teurons which is more south
Where you have a combination of the two, so it's masculine and feminine at the same time
So you have all these different
subtle variations, which make it very complex and very
intriguing and
We have about 35 different premier cru in Beaune. So it gives you the diversity you can make 35 different wines
in a circle of
Few kilometers around where we here now
When it comes to Chardonnay one of the most famous Appellations in the whole of Burgundy is Meursault
At the southern end of the Cote de Beaune this large village borders both Puligny and Montrachet
Which make the most expensive white wines in the world
producing almost a hundred percent Chardonnay
Meursault doesn't boast any Grand Cru but lays claim to a few prestigious Premier Cru where this appellation really comes into its own
However, is its village wines where you can find incredible value for money
Meursault show toasty aromas of nectarine, peach and hazelnut the palate is rich nutty and can have a real
Intensity to the fruit. The finish is long with a lovely balanced acidity
Heading all the way down to the sub region of the Maconnais, we find another well-known appellation- Pouilly-Fuisse
Located in the commune of Fuisse, the wines here at exclusively Chardonnay
Pouilly-Fuisse has captured the hearts of many international consumers due to its reputation for producing
richer and softer wines than the northern sub-regions of Burgundy
As with the whole of the Maconnais sub region, there are no premier or Grand Cru vineyards here
However, a recent movement aims to classify around 22% of their vineyards to Premier Cru level
The light golden colour of Pouilly-Fuisse wines reflect the warmest southern climate of Burgundy the wine show
concentrated citrus and honeycomb aromas and on the palate
They have a lovely weighted intensity with baked apples and honey flavors, these wines tend to have a rich but delicate finish
these five Appellations are a great introduction to Burgundy with many other names to also look out for
Burgundy is the global benchmark for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and getting to know these famous names will help you navigate this wonderful region