Generally, wines of the old world can be very difficult to understand. There are a lot more rules and regulations to consider. In Australia, wines are priced on a couple of things, but it is usually mostly to do with the winery and winemaker. A more prestigious winemaker or winery will be able to charge a premium,  whilst other wineries do not. It is more based on the quality of the wine rather than the location of the grapes. This is not the case in the old world of wine where price can be determined by the plot of land where the grapes are grown. Burgundy is a great example of this, with some bottles going for thousands upon thousands of dollars. But what sets them apart, and how do you know what to look for. This guide to Burgundy wines dives into everything you need to know.

Guide to Burgundy wines

While we were driving the Route des Grand Crus, I was blown away by how much of the space was filled with grape vines. The hills are covered with them, they span across the horizon, and there isn’t much space you can see that doesn’t have them. It is absolutely breathtaking, but it did leave me wondering how all the wines differ. This region produces so much wine – how does one tell it apart?

In Burgundy, there are 4 classifications of wine that you’ll find. If you don’t know what these mean, it can be very confusing and you’re left wondering why one bottle is over $100 but another is far cheaper. I assumed this had to do with the winemaker, but in Burgundy this is not the case.

In Burgundy, the classifications drive the price of wine, so if you have a wine that is a particular classification, you can charge a certain price for it, regardless of the winemaker. This is because the classifications are not based on what the wine tastes like, but where the grapes came from. Weird right? So by this theory, you could have a terrible winemaker produce a wine from the top classification, but it won’t lose its title.

Getting to know ‘Terroir’

The reason for this is that Burgundy uses the concept of ‘terroir’ for its wine classification i.e. the soil gives the name to the wine. Each plot of vines, also called a ‘Climat’ has been broken up and classified for centuries, regardless of who owns it. So if your wine comes from a plot of vines that has a Grand Crus classification, your wine can be a Grand Crus wine.

The reason for this is to do with the quality of the climatic conditions of the soil. Each plot has been determined based on the quality of its location. The thought is that if it has premium conditions, the wine will be better quality. This is also to do with how far up the hill you are. Burgundy doesn’t irrigate their vines, so it’s really important that the vines are able to get the right amount of water.

Guide to Burgundy wines: Classifications

So now that we know a bit about Terroir, let’s dive into the 4 types of classifications for Burgundy wines.

Regional Appellations: Bourgogne

The Regional classification is considered to be the lowest level. These plots typically are from the flattest areas of Burgundy so are said to have the least ideal conditions for growing grapes. They come from a variety of vineyards across villages, and so come from a mixture of many plots of wine.

To find these wines, you just need to look for wines that are labelled ‘Bourgogne’ which is French for Burgundy. They make up over 50% of wines from the region, so tend to be the easiest to come by, which also drives down the price. This makes them some of the cheapest bottles, and for an expensive wine region, this is a good thing. These wines are meant to be drunk now without much aging.

Don’t be fooled. Even though these wines are considered the lowest of Burgundy wines, all Burgundy wines are absolutely fantastic. You can pick up a bottle of Burgundy wine for much cheaper in this category and still have a delicious bottle. Bourgogne wines are one of the most affordable ways to experience the region.

Communal Appellations: Village wines

The Communal appellations are named after the village that they come from, and so you’ll find 44 different types of them. Although they can come from a few plots around the same village, unlike the regional wines, they will only come from one area. Interestingly, village wines may come from plots that sit right next to those of higher appellations, but because they have been classified as a village wine, they sit in this category.

The Village wines are the next one up and offer a nice wine that Bourgogne. Although this makes them slightly more expensive, they are well worth the price tag. These wines are far more affordable than the top two classifications and so if you are after a great wine from Burgundy that is a little more special, this is what you should look for. They make up 36% of the wines from the region.

The great thing about these wines is that you can taste differences in areas. It also makes for a good way to reminisce on a trip.

Premier Cru Appellations

The next one up from the Village wines is the Premier Cru, which already sounds a million times fancier. Wines that are classified as Premier Cru because they come from a Premier Cru plot or ‘climat’.

These wines tend to come from plots that are higher up the hill as they have more ideal growing conditions. Most are located around Beaune which has 42 plots. Because of this, the plots have been classified as those that produce superior wine. No matter who owns them, or the skill of the winemaker, the wine will be labelled Premier Cru.

If you’re after a more expensive bottle of Burgundy wine, you’ve found your choice. Although there are two premium classifications of Burgundy wine, Premier Cru is a lot easier to come by. They are expensive though, and much more difficult to find that the village and region varieties. Look for bottles labelled ‘Appellation 1er cru contrôlée’ along with the name of the town. You’ll also find the name of the plot on there too.

Grand Crus Appellations

So you want the best of the best huh? Well, you’ve reached the place! Grand Crus is the ‘elite’ of Burgundy wine, and are produced on the most famous plots. These are very difficult to get your hands on with an average of 5980 bottles produced per year. They make up 2% of wine production for the region, so you can just imagine the price of one bottle.

These wines are considered collector’s items because they are special. This comes down to the quality of the plot. The wines from these plots come from grapes that are produced on the best of the best soil. They generally sit higher up on the hills.

If you are in the market for an expensive bottle of wine, look no further. Burgundy has some of the best wine of France, and Grand Crus wines are the cream of the crop. However, you will pay for having that ‘Grand Crus’ written on the bottle. If you can get your hand on one, be prepared to reach for your wallet.

In summary: Guide to Burgundy wines

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to Burgundy wines. But now that you know, what should you be looking for? Well that really depends on what you enjoy, and how much you’re willing to spend. As Burgundy has some of the most expensive wines in the world, it is important to choose within your budget. But know that you don’t need to buy the top tier to get a good wine!

Sources: VinePair, Beaune Tourism and a winemaker from Burgundy