Burgundy is a historical region in east-central France, famous for its wines, its medieval monasteries, and its role in European history. The name also describes a deep red color** — darker than maroon, richer than wine — that evokes old libraries, leather armchairs, and autumn.
The wines of Burgundy are among the most expensive and sought-after in the world. The region’s pinot noir and chardonnay** grapes produce wines named after their specific vineyards — appellations like Romanée-Conti, Chablis, and Meursault can fetch thousands of dollars per bottle. Burgundy’s wine culture is so specialized that individual vineyards the size of a football field may be divided among dozens of owners, each producing wine with distinct character.
Why It Matters
Burgundy represents the pinnacle of terroir — the French concept that a wine’s character comes from its specific place: soil, climate, slope, and human tradition. No other wine region has pushed this idea so far. Burgundy’s classification system, established by monks in the Middle Ages and refined over centuries, is a model of obsessive micro-distinction.
Historically, the Dukes of Burgundy were major European powers in the 14th and 15th centuries, controlling territories from modern-day Netherlands to Provence. Their court was one of the most sophisticated in Europe before Burgundy was absorbed into France in 1477.
Examples
- Romanée-Conti: The world’s most expensive wine, from a 1.8-hectare vineyard.
- Côte d’Or: The “golden slope,” Burgundy’s heartland.
- Dijon: The regional capital, famous for mustard not wine.
Related Terms
- Pinot noir, chardonnay, terroir
- French wine, appellation, vineyard
- Dukes of Burgundy, medieval France