Burgundy labels can appear to be some of the most daunting to understand
Burgundy labels can appear to be some of the most daunting to understand

However, with just a few key pointers
However, with just a few key pointers

it becomes a lot easier to consistently find your favourite wines
it becomes a lot easier to consistently find your favourite wines

First, is the producer of the wine
First, is the producer of the wine

This could be a brand, someone's name, or the name of their estate or vineyards.
This could be a brand, someone's name, or the name of their estate or vineyards.

With wine making philosophy varying
With wine making philosophy varying

greatly from one producer to the next, once you find a wine you love
greatly from one producer to the next, once you find a wine you love

its always a good idea to make a note,
its always a good idea to make a note,

or take a picture of the name behind that bottle.
or take a picture of the name behind that bottle.

Next, is the appellation. This is all about where the wine is made.
Next, is the appellation. This is all about where the wine is made.

How specific this is will be determined by the quality
How specific this is will be determined by the quality

ranking of the wine
ranking of the wine

It could be as generic as the entire region of Burgundy
It could be as generic as the entire region of Burgundy

Or a single vineyard the size of a football field
Or a single vineyard the size of a football field

The ranking of the wine will also always be stated on the label.
The ranking of the wine will also always be stated on the label.

Around 80% of Burgundy wines are classed
Around 80% of Burgundy wines are classed

as the basic regional level and are simply labelled as
as the basic regional level and are simply labelled as

bourgogne rouge or blanc
bourgogne rouge or blanc

The next classification level up are village wines
The next classification level up are village wines

which will state the name of the village they come from,
which will state the name of the village they come from,

such as, Meursault, or Chambolle Musigny
such as, Meursault, or Chambolle Musigny

Penultimate quality ranking is Premier Cru
Penultimate quality ranking is Premier Cru

These will also state the village they are from,
These will also state the village they are from,

and often a specific vineyard as well.
and often a specific vineyard as well.

The top ranking and the pinnacle of Burgundy Is Grand Cru
The top ranking and the pinnacle of Burgundy Is Grand Cru

Always from a single vineyard which will be
Always from a single vineyard which will be

stated on the label.
stated on the label.

Unlike new world wines,
Unlike new world wines,

nowhere on a Burgundy label will you see a grape variety mentioned
nowhere on a Burgundy label will you see a grape variety mentioned

This is due to appellation laws that strictly govern
This is due to appellation laws that strictly govern

what grapes can be grown where, so if you know the appellation,
what grapes can be grown where, so if you know the appellation,

you know the grape, for example, if its a Chablis
you know the grape, for example, if its a Chablis

it will always be Chardonnay
it will always be Chardonnay

and if its a red Beaujolais, it will always be Gamay.
and if its a red Beaujolais, it will always be Gamay.

The rest of Burgundy almost all whites are Chardonnay,
The rest of Burgundy almost all whites are Chardonnay,

and reds are Pinot Noir
and reds are Pinot Noir

Next up is the vintage of the wine
Next up is the vintage of the wine

This is simply year in which the grapes are harvested.
This is simply year in which the grapes are harvested.

The vintage really can be a significant factor
The vintage really can be a significant factor

as every year has a story and often a struggle of its own.
as every year has a story and often a struggle of its own.

So, what in your opinion makes a great vintage?
So, what in your opinion makes a great vintage?

If you have 10 kids and you ask me if there is one great
If you have 10 kids and you ask me if there is one great

kid among the 10 kids, it is a difficult answer
kid among the 10 kids, it is a difficult answer

I remember
I remember

of challenging vintages because we had work to do,
of challenging vintages because we had work to do,

which were not necessarily what the press would call a great vintage
which were not necessarily what the press would call a great vintage

on the other hand,
on the other hand,

a great vintage
a great vintage

is a vintage for the press
is a vintage for the press

where everything is conditions are perfect
where everything is conditions are perfect

which for us is not a lot of work
which for us is not a lot of work

I like to think each vintage has a personality
I like to think each vintage has a personality

you don't need to quote a great vintage. You need to follow each vintage
you don't need to quote a great vintage. You need to follow each vintage

and to see,
and to see,

like a personality.
like a personality.

Each grape is different and will ripen at different times, so,
Each grape is different and will ripen at different times, so,

a vintage that's fantastic for Chardonnay,
a vintage that's fantastic for Chardonnay,

may end up being terrible for Pinot Noir
may end up being terrible for Pinot Noir

You'll find a number of other technical facts on a Burgundy wine label
You'll find a number of other technical facts on a Burgundy wine label

as well, such as the alcohol content or ABV.
as well, such as the alcohol content or ABV.

This can give an indication as to how rich or full-bodied the wine is
This can give an indication as to how rich or full-bodied the wine is

Although, the majority of wines from Burgundy will be between
Although, the majority of wines from Burgundy will be between

12.5% and 13.5%.
12.5% and 13.5%.

Other important factors may also be found on the label
Other important factors may also be found on the label

Whether the wine is organic, bio-dynamic
Whether the wine is organic, bio-dynamic

or even vegan. Some wines may also have tasting notes from
or even vegan. Some wines may also have tasting notes from

their producer on the back label.
their producer on the back label.

As we all know, learning how to read a Burgundy wine label
As we all know, learning how to read a Burgundy wine label

will give you key details about the wine.
will give you key details about the wine.

Ultimately though, whether the wine is good or not, is completely down
Ultimately though, whether the wine is good or not, is completely down

to your own personal taste.
to your own personal taste.

I'm a believer, and this is after 10 years of having
I'm a believer, and this is after 10 years of having

written
written

tasting notes on
tasting notes on

well over a hundred and thirty thousand wines
well over a hundred and thirty thousand wines

I'm a believer in the fact
I'm a believer in the fact

that whether you're educated in wine, or not,
that whether you're educated in wine, or not,

we all have the capacity
we all have the capacity

to know whether a wine is good or not
to know whether a wine is good or not

to know whether a wine is great or not.
to know whether a wine is great or not.