BURGUNDY AND ITS FIVE WINE-PRODUCING REGIONS
- Chablis & Grand Auxerrois
- Châtillonnais
- Côte de nuits & Hautes-Côtes de Nuits
- Côte de Beaune & Hautes-Côtes de Beaune
- Côte Chalonnaise & Couchois
- Mâconnais
Burgundy´s vineyards are spread out over 230 kilometres of hills an valleys which have a wide diversity of terrois and landscapes and thus offer a range of exceptional flavours. Burgundy´s wine-producing regions count 27,900 hectares of vineyards listed as producing Apellations d´Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wines, and around 200 million bottles produced each year.
- 33 Grand Cru AOCs 1,4%
- 684 Premier Cru AOCs 10,1%
- 44 Villages AOCs 36,8%
- 23 Regional AOCs 51,7%
The 100 Burgundy appellations:
- 4 levels of appellation
- 2 prestigious varieties of grape
- Chardonnay (white wines): 46% of vines planted.
- Pinot Noir (red wines): 36% of vines planted.
- 69% of Burgundy wines are white wines (including Crémant de Bourgogne) and 31% are red wines.
WINE TOURISM IN BURGUNDY
In Burgundy, 336 wine profesionals open their doors to share their passion and enthusiasm for their work and introduce to the tourist their vast diversity of wines.
Whether they are winegrowers, cooperative cellars or wine merchants, the estates that adhere to de De Vignes en Caves quality charter are committed to give a warm and a personalised welcome along with a free tasting of at least one wine.
For mor information: www.burgundy-wines.fr
CHABLIS & GRAND AUXERROIS / THE YONNE VINEYARDS ROUTE
At an equal distance between Beaune and Paris, the vineyards of Chablis and the Grand Auxerrois can be found. You will enter Burgundy by the "Golden gates of Burgundy” such is the reputation of these wines. Historic suppliers of the European courts, these vineyards have been redesigned over the centuries. On leaving the motorway you will drive along winding roads, crossing hills and valleys. You will notice the many rivers which brighten up the landscape and you will admire the villages, whose old stone houses bear witness to their longevity.
It is undoubtedly from the north that the vines and wines entered Burgundy, in Gallo-Roman times.
But its roots are much older: the vineyard is positioned on geological foundations of the Superior Jurassic era: the Kimmeridgian.
If you explore, you won't just discover a vineyard, but several entities, each with their own personality.
Coming from Paris, you will discover, on your right to the south east of Auxerre, the vineyard of the Grand Auxerrois, which produces a large range of regional appellations, both reds and whites, distributed across four territories: the Auxerrois, the Tonnerrois, the Vezelien and the Jovinien.
Further to the east Chablis stretches out over both sides of the river "Serein". The village gives its name to the prestigious appellation, whose production actually stretches across around twenty villages. The wine heritage of northern Burgundy is exceptionally diverse. You can discover it during your trip, before continuing to the south.
THE YONNE VINEYARDS ROUTE
Location: the Yonne is 1 hour 30 minutes from Paris, and includes many renowned vineyards: the internationally famous Chablis vineyard, and those of the Auxerrois, the Jovinien, the Tonnerrois and the Vézelien.
A wide range of appellations with pronounced characters.
With its picturesque villages, fine food, and major tourist destinations along the way, the Yonne vineyards wine tourism route has many surprises in store for the visitor, including many outstanding “terroirs". Take the time to meet the people who tend them, with 120 cellars open to the public, half of which have signed the “De Vignes en Caves" quality charter. The winegrowers will introduce you to the tastes and flavours of their wines with their diversity and gustative qualities interest You will soon find yourself sharing their passion and pride.
- History Note: Chablis is a word that you must relish and a village where you can just as easily lose yourself. To understand the history of the place, make sure you visit the Pontigny Abbey, some 15 km to the north. Citeaux Abbey´s 2nd daughter house, this abbey was founded in 1114 on the initiative of a priest from Auxerre. It was thanks to its monks that the Chablis vineyard was developed, from 1130. At the time, the vines provided a quaffable communion wine. Today, we can still admire the storehouses and the presses.
For mor information:
Association Route Touristique des Vignobles de l'Yonne, 26 rue Etienne Dolet 89000 Auxerre
Tél. : 03 86 49 40 60
E-mail: c.descaudin@yonne.cci.fr
THE CRÉMANT RUTE
Where wine has been grownfor two millennia.
Steeped in history, the Châtillonnais area is remarkable for its open landscapes and rich architectural heritage. The vineyards are a natural part of this archetypal terroir with its age-old tradition of wine-growing. Today, it produces over 20% of Burgundy Cremant.
Set off exploring and visit its secluded valleys, roam around its sunny slopes and stop off in its villages with their dry stone buildings. You can also visit this area by foot, bike or on horseback thanks to its signposted trails. Its unspoilt forests are home to a wide range of flora and fauna and you will come across the traces of the Celts and monks who once lived here. And whilst you are off the beaten track, take the time to enjoy a meal of local produce and sample Burgundy hospitality. And don't forget to go and admire the famous Vix crater at Châtillon-sur-Seine, the largest wine basin of Antiquity.
For mor information:
Office de Tourisme du Pays Châtillonnais 1 rue du Bourg
21400 Châtillon-sur-Seine
Tel: 03 80 91 13 19
E-mail: contact@tourisme-châtillonnais.fr
Web: www.tourisme-chatillonnais.fr ; www.routeducremant.fr
COTE NUITS THE GRANDS CRUS ROUTE
Location: this route of the world’s greatest wines is beautiful all year round, and is located 1 hour 40 minutes from Paris by TGV and 1 hour 30 minutes from Lyon. The vineyards are tended as if they were a garden, and each cellar, big and small, has its own secrets, traditions and special techniques.
Heading south from Dijon, the landscape rises, announcing the Côtes de Nuits, for some twenty kilometres known as the "Champs-Élysées" of Burgundy. You have arrived in the land of many of Burgundy´s Grand Crus and Premier Crus. Here, the map seems to turn into a wine map as each village evokes a thousand flavours.
The Côte de Nuits is rarely wider than one kilometre, and is sometimes reduced to a narrow band of land of 200 to 300 metres. It is nestled between the plain to the east and the hills, often bare at their summit, to the west.
The vineyard of the Hautes Côtes de Nuits covers some twenty villages behind this hillside.
Whether you opt for the former D974 B-road or for the wine route through the vines, you will gradually cross the kingdom of Pinot Noir, the regal grape variety, for which Duke Philippe le Hardi drove out "vile" Gamay in the 14th century.
In Côte de Nuits he found an exceptional diversity of "Terroir", revealing rich shades of brown, sometimes sprinkled with white limestone.
From these varied conditions, the aromas of Pinot Noir were bom: cherry, blackcurrant and blackberry in its youth, then over time, spicy nuances appear, sometimes reminiscent of leather. You can lose yourself in the paths of the Côte, in the heart of these historic villages that time seems to have forgotten and of which each plot of vines, through its name, recounts the history and life of man.
Legendary vineyards: The Grands Crus Tourism Route follows the wine-growing slopes from Dijon to Santenay. It is the most prestigious and is sometimes called the "Champs-Elysées" of Burgundy. This noble route is a treasury of the art and culture of wine-making, crossing such world famous villages as Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges...
In the Côte de nuits, on the northern section of the Route des Grands Crus, each name invites one after the other the visitor to stop off and taste the wines. You can explore these remarkable landscapes by foot along the Grands Crus trail.
- History Note: In 1790, whilst French politicians were in charge of finding a name for each newly created "départment", it was the colour of the vines in the autumn which gave its name to the Côte-d´OR. If you walk between Dijon and Chagny in October, you will see the hillside covered in light from the harvest period.
- For mor information: Côte-d’Or Tourisme. Tel 03 8O 69 49 www.cotedor-tourisme.com
COTE DE BEAUNE THE GRANDS CRUS ROUTE
Location: this route of the world's greatest wines is beautiful all year round, and Is located 1 hour 40 minutes from Paris by TGV and 1 hour 30 minutes from Lyon. The vineyards are tended as if they were a garden, and each cellar, big and small, has its own secrets, traditions and special techniques..
With a historic and artistic heritage, the Beaune region captivates and attracts visitors with its gentle way of life. The capital of Burgundy wines, the Côte de Beaune is full of evocative and famous names: Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny- Montrachet and Chassagne- Montrachet It also has a few surprises such as Ladoix-Serrigny, Pernand-Vergelesses, Chorey-lès-Beaune, Saint-Romain, Saint-Aubin, Santenay and les Maranges.
Chardonnay (Corton), from Meursault, Chardonnay is the principal grape variety, providing wine lovers with its golden wines for several hundreds of years.
The Cote de Beaune is marked by two hills: the Corton hill, to the north of Beaune, and the Montrachet hill, 10 km to the south of Beaune. The first, with its wooded top, has a Grand Cru whose name alone (Corton-Charlemagne) reminds us that Emperor Charlemagne appreciated his wines as early as the end of the 8th century. The second, whose name evokes the summit covered in short grass, which sometimes reminds us of scrubland (Montrachet signifies 'bald mountain"), giving birth to a whole family of white Grand Crus.
Above the hill, there is a plateau at 400 m altitude, crossed by valleys which shape the hilly landscape. These are the Hautes Côtes de Beaune. Between emotions and contemplation, the visitor discovers a region which reflects Burgundy: gastronomic stops, trips to the heart of nature or refreshing breaks in a few welcoming cellars...
Legendary vineyards: Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, and Pommard... One after the other, each name invites the visitor to stop off and taste the wines. You can explore these remarkable landscapes by foot along the Grands Crus trail, or else follow the specially designed bike route in the Beaunois area from Beaune to Santenay.
Meet the people whose work shapes these unique vineyards and patchwork of terroirs. In the sanctuary of their cellars, most of which are open all year round, the winegrowers will explain all the nuances of their wines, their colours and noses, using their typical, picturesque expressions. It is recommended that you contact them before visiting out of respect for their work, especially during the grape harvest (September and October).
- History Note: Chevalier-Montrachet. This little legend will help you remember the 5 Grand Crus of Montrachet... "Lord Montrachet leaving for the Crusades, entrusted his virgin daughter to his favorite "Chevalier". In this absence, the inevitable happened and a child was born of this illegitimate union. Returning from the Crusades, the Lord discovered the "Batard" child who began to cry on seeing him. The Lord therefore exclaimed, "The bastard is crying", or "Criot-Batard"!!! But as he was a good man, Lord Montrachet welcomed the child into his family by these words: Welcome, Montrachet bastard, or "Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet".
For more information: Côte-d'Or Tourisme: Tél. : 03 80 63 69 49 www.cotedor-tourisme.com
COTE CHALONNAISE THE FINE WINES ROUTE
Location: the Côte Chaionnaise tourism route, just 2 hours from Paris, Lyon and Geneva, will give you the opportunity to discover the many sides of a contrasted terroir. By foot or bike, with a campervan or a boat on the river, the Côte Chaionnaise welcome you with many cellars open all year long. One of the most picturesque ways to explore the area and taste its appellations, is by following the 80 km green way that runs along the famous canal du Centre.
On arriving at this stage of the trip, the visitor can admire the unique, hilly landscape of the Côte Chalonnaise, This area, which is 25 km long and 7 km wide, is situated in the Saône-et-Loire "département", to the north, and to the south of the town of Chalon-sur-Saône, Created by the cluniac monks, its vineyard has been planted for thousands of years and is covering south-east facing hills.
The north of the Côte tends to be devoted to red wines (Rully, Mercurey appellations) whilst the south is home to more white wines (Givry, Montagny appellations). Bouzeron is an exception from every point of view: this village in the north of Côte Chalonnaise which is largely dedicated to white wines is the only Village appellation in Burgundy prosuced entirely with the Aligoté grape variety.
The Côte Chalonnaise can provide some good opportunities for trips and tastings. The Route des Grands Vins allows you to discover both the villages and the appellations.
For sports enthusiasts, the Voie Verte, a former railway line which has been redeveloped for sports and leisure activities, allows you to visit the places by foot, by bike or on rollerblades! Away from the hillsides, you can enjoy the charming, preserved environment as you walk, as well as the majestic winegrower´s houses and the castles.
An elegant range of flavours: The Chalonnaise area also has a fine and long-stranding tradition of winemaking. It lies to the south of Beaune and is the natural continuation of the Grands Crus area, starting in the South of Maranges and running as far as the valley of the river Grosne. The vineyards have famous appellations, and the signposted route crosses forty odd wine-growing villages along its 100 km length, allowing the visitor to explore the wealth and variety of these vineyards. The appellations are now justly renowned. So why not stop off and stroll around the peaceful villages, take the time to visit the Niepce Museum, the inventor of photography, and explore the varied landscapes. Stop for a while to, discover the robust flavours of Mercurey or the more subtle ones of Rully; the frank flavours of Bouzeron or the sweeter notes of Montagny without forgetting the Givry.
- History Note: What isn´t very well known is that it is in this corner of Burgundy that the Crémant de Bourgogne hat its roots. In 1822, the Petiot brothers, wine merchants in Chalon-sur-Saône who owned vines in Mercurey and Rully, hired a young man from the Champagne area. Francois Bazile Hubert, backed by this knowledge acquired in Champagne, convinced his bosses to launch their first production using the Champagne method. In 1826, they began to sell their sparkling wine. From 1827, one million bottles had been sold. But it did not receive the AOC stamp until 1975. Today, the Crémant de Bourgogne is produced almost everywhere in the vineyard.
For more information:
Association de la Route Touristique des Grands Vins de Côte Chaionnaise en Bourgogne - Madame Caroline T0RLAND
7 rue Georges Maugey 71100 Chalon-sur-Saône
Tél. : 03 85 93 23 57
E-mail: carolinetorland@paysduchalonnais.fr
MACONNAIS-BEAUJOLAIS VINEYARD ROUTE
Location: one hour from Lyon, this is an outstanding tourism route with a great wealth of terroirs and cultural treasures which you can easily find by following the “Suivez la grappe " signposts. It has unique panoramas over the vineyards, the valley of the river Saône, and even of the Alps in places.
In the Mâconnais the vines are different. It is no longer a straight rampart, restricted in space, such as in the Côte-d´Or or the Côte Chalonnaise. Here, the "Terroir" appears to have been created by chance, based on more favourable conditions: as soon as the ground, the slope or the exposure allow it, they prevail over the field, pastuers or woods.
On leaving the Côte Chalonnaise, you take the B-road or the motorway. After passing through the plain, before reaching Tournus, the landscape takes shape once again. You are arriving in the Maconnais, an area of transition between the north and the south of France. There is a subtle change in the air, it seems to fill with Mediterranean scents.
The surroundings become contrasting between vines and valleys. The environment is transformed: the roofs with their abrupt slopes in the north give way to more gentle slopes, the flat tiles are replaced by curved, or "Roman" tiles, just like the ones seen in Provence, you will notice verandas, reminding us that the weather is more dement here and that the people take the time to enjoy life. In the villages, the Roman churches are a sign of the significance of Cluny Abbey, just a stone's throw away, which influenced the region from the 10th century until the French revolution.
Although Chardonnay continues to dominate for the white wines, unveiling different nuances from those which prevail further north, the Pinot Norr is largely replaced by Gamay for the red wines.
A cornucopia of appellations: This wine route crosses 78 villages with a wide variety of “terroirs". There are eight circuits totalling about 500 kilometres running through these vineyards from Saint-Gengoux-le-National to Romanèche-Thorins. These circuits are steeped in history and abounding in tourist spots with abbeys, châteaux, prehistoric caves, museums, Romanesque and Gothic churches, old stone villages, and ever-changing magnificent panoramas. It is well worth visiting the cellars to discover the wide variety of Regional and Village appellations. These vineyords ore also the birthplace of the famous poet and winegrower Alphonse de Lamartine.
- History Note: The "Roche de Solutre" which will always be remembered thanks to President Mitterrand, is 493m high and offers an exceptional view. In prehistoric times, it was an important place for hunting and now houses a very interesting museum. Its twin sister, the Roche de Vergisson, which is less well known, was a place of refuge in prehistoric times.
This environment was of particular inspiration to the poet Lamartine who spent a large part of his life there (his family home can be visited in Milly-Lamartine).
For more information:
Syndicat d’initiative de la Route des Vins
Mâconnais-Beaujolais
6 rue Dufour - 71000 Mâcon
Tél./Fax : 03 85 38 09 99
E-mail: routedesvinsmaconnaisbeaujolais@9business.fr
Web: www.roiite-vins.com