Burgundy is a famous wine region located centrally in eastern France that stretches from Chablis in the north to Beaujolais in the south. While the geology, climate, and terroir shift along this 93 mile stretch from north to south, there are only four main grapes that are grown throughout this entire stretch, two white and two red varieties, which all share common ancestry:
- Chardonnay
- Aligoté
- Pinot Noir
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Gamay
Burgundy's Terroir
Overall, Burgundy experiences a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, which is well-suited for these grapes. While the red Gamay grape is grown extensively in the southern subregion of Beaujolais, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the grapes most associated with the overarching Burgundy name. These varieties are famous for their ability to express a sense of place, a concept known as “terroir” in French, which encompasses everything from soil composition to local topography to microclimates.
White Burgundy: The Appellation System
The region's centuries-long history of viticulture has enabled generations of winemakers to identify the best growing sites and anticipate particular expressions from each variety. In the Middle Ages, Cistercian monks laid the foundation for Burgundy's current vineyard layout by meticulously studying the terroir and developing enduring winemaking techniques. This centuries-long observation and understanding of each site's inherent quality led to the creation of Burgundy's intricate wine classification system in the 1930s, which ranks vineyards based on their quality and historical reputation across four main levels:
- Regional appellations (e.g., Bourgogne)
- Village appellations (e.g., Meursault)
- Premier Cru appellations (e.g., Les Folatières)
- Grand Cru appellations (e.g., Montrachet)
Chardonnay: The Quintessential Grape of White Burgundy
While a small amount of Aligoté is grown here, Chardonnay is the dominant white grape variety in Burgundy, accounting for nearly all of the region's white wine production. The grape is believed to have originated in the Burgundy region, with its name derived from the village of Chardonnay in the more southern Mâconnais subregion.
Despite its global ubiquity and the occasional tendency for winemakers to employ heavy-handed techniques to emphasize more lavish oak or buttery aromatics, Chardonnay is a grape of remarkable subtlety. Unlike grapes with more exuberant aromatics, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay has a relatively neutral character, lacking a strong inherent flavor profile. Its naturally understated character allows the grape to serve as a backdrop for all other aspects of its development, from vine to glass, to come to the forefront.
The malleable nature of Chardonnay makes it exceptionally responsive to the unique characteristics of its terroir and the choices made by the winemaker, allowing the grape to beautifully reflect these influences in the finished wine. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Burgundy, where Chardonnay serves as the perfect vehicle for exploring the Burgundy's range of expressions. Here, the grape showcases even the most nuanced differences between vineyard sites and winemaking styles, creating a captivating and rewarding journey for those curious enough to venture down the rabbit hole.
Chardonnay: Aromas & Tasting Notes
Chardonnay wines from Burgundy are renowned for their complexity, elegance, and ageability. While many factors influence Chardonnay's expression, the typical aromatic profile revolves around citrus, green apple, white peach, crushed stones, and minerality, with oak aging imparting creamy vanilla, delicate smoke, or baking spices. Lees contact can contribute notes of brioche, while oxidation may lead to toasted nut aromas, and reduction can introduce a savory flinty character. The intricate interplay of terroir, winemaking style, and aging creates a captivating final product that epitomizes the allure of White Burgundy.
White Burgundy: Top Grand Cru
While profound examples can be found throughout the region, some renowned sites are celebrated for their distinct expression and consistently high quality, each offering a unique representation of different regions in White Burgundy. In Burgundy's hierarchical classification system, these exceptional vineyards have been designated as Grand Cru sites, a distinguished tier reserved for the most prestigious and consistently outstanding wines. While there are many Grand Cru sites that produce exemplary White Burgundy examples, the following are known for representing the pinnacle of the experience:
- Corton-Charlemagne: Situated on an iconic hill in the heart of Côte d'Or, these wines are renowned for their power and complexity, displaying notes of ripe stone fruits and toasted nuts.
- Montrachet: Located in the southern part of Côte de Beaune, these wines are considered the epitome of White Burgundy, offering incredible depth and concentration with aromas of ripe peach, honeysuckle, and crushed rocks.
White Burgundy: Top Premier Cru
A step below Grand Cru in the Burgundy classification hierarchy, Premier Cru produce wines true to the unique characteristics of their exceptional terroir. These vineyards are known for their high-quality expressions and often offer a more accessible price point compared to their Grand Cru counterparts. Some notable Premier Cru vineyards include:
- Chablis "Montée de Tonnerre": Situated on a steep slope overlooking the Serein River, this vineyard yields wines with a striking minerality, crisp acidity, and notes of green apple.
- Puligny-Montrachet "Les Folatières": Higher up the hillside from Puligny, this vineyard produces elegant and refined wines with a beautiful balance of bright citrus and floral components with a mineral backbone.
- Chassagne-Montrachet "Les Caillerets": Named for the stony pebbles found in the vineyard, wines from this site are known for their finesse and complexity, displaying notes of rich peach and toasted hazelnut with a subtle honeyed character.
White Burgundy: Top Villages
Grand Cru and Premier Cru examples are phenomenal ways to experience White Burgundy, but certain villages are also known for their distinctive expressions. Village-level wines offer a great opportunity to explore a producer or region without the premium prices of Premier and Grand Cru wines:
- Chablis: As Burgundy's northernmost region, Chablis is known for its cool climate and Kimmeridgian limestone soils, producing wines that are crisp, lean, and mineral-driven.
- Meursault: These wines are renowned for their richness and nutty character, displaying aromas of ripe apple, pear, and butter, with a slightly lower acidity compared to other villages.
- Puligny-Montrachet: Wines from this village are typically elegant and mineral-driven, with notes of white flowers, citrus, and subtle oak influence, achieving a balance between richness and finesse.
- Chassagne-Montrachet: These wines are structured and complex, offering aromas of ripe stone fruits, honey, and distinct minerality, often with a slightly firmer acidity than those from Meursault.
White Burgundy Food Pairings
White Burgundy's enchanting balance of richness and acidity makes it a versatile companion at the table, effortlessly complementing a wide array of dishes. Classically, these wines pair beautifully with:
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Seafood: Lobster, scallops, shrimp, and crab.
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Poultry: Roast chicken, turkey, and duck.
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Fish: Sole, halibut, sea bass, and salmon.
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Creamy Dishes: Pasta with cream sauce, risotto, and creamy soups.
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Cheeses: Brie, Camembert, Comté, and goat cheese.
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Mushrooms: Truffle dishes, mushroom risotto, and sautéed mushrooms.
The versatility of White Burgundy allows it to pair beautifully with a range of unconventional dishes as well, anything from sushi to fried chicken, or even a simple bag of popcorn. Their ability to elevate a wide variety of culinary experiences makes them a valuable addition to your cellar.
Collecting and Investing in White Burgundy
For passionate collectors and astute investors, White Burgundy represents a realm of prestige and allure. The scarcity of these sought-after bottles, combined with their remarkable ability to age and appreciate over time, has solidified their position as treasured gems in the world of fine wine, promising both personal satisfaction and financial reward for those who possess the patience and discernment to acquire them. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious enthusiast, exploring the vast world of White Burgundy can be a lifelong pursuit, offering endless opportunities for discovery while getting a chance to savor some truly exceptional wines.
