Giving wine as a gift is a tradition deeply rooted in French culture. Whether it is to say thank you or to celebrate a special occasion, a bottle carefully selected according to the tastes of the lucky person can indeed mark your attention with class .
Moreover, if France has many very high-quality wine-growing areas, such as Bordeaux or of the Rhone Valley , there Burgundy remains nevertheless the most region requested and appreciated when it comes to gifting wine. In this article, we will therefore explore together why this vineyard is so special as well as giving you all our advice in order to select THE Burgundy bottle you need.
Welcome to the land of Chardonnay and of Pinot noir !
Map of the sub-regions of Burgundy
Why choose a Burgundy wine to offer?
Many factors make Burgundy occupy a special place in the world of wine. The region is indeed an absolute reference, with the Champagne and Bordeaux, when it comes to offering a bottle. But then, what are the reasons for this craze?
The prestige of the region
Burgundy's reputation is based, among other factors, on centuries of wine tradition . The Burgundy vineyards were in fact planted by Cistercian and Benedictine monks during the Middle Ages. This rich history is therefore necessarily reflected in the international recognition of the wines. regional.
Synonymous with prestige and quality , The wines of the region are therefore an ideal choice for a gift .
Grand Cru and Premier Cru of Burgundy
During the Middle Ages, monks developed in Burgundy a unique and revolutionary approach to vineyard prioritization : a ranking according to the quality alone from the terroir.
At the top of this hierarchy are: The Grands Crus . These represent approximately 1% of total production and the best wines of the region come from these soils.
Then come the Premier Crus , elite terroirs accounting for approximately 10% of production .
Finally, come the AOC village wines (36% of production) and the AOC regional (53% of production).
To date, and although no classification is perfect, No other hierarchy in the world can achieve this level of precision. .
So, offering a Grand Cru or a Premier Cru is a guarantee of excellence that will not fail to impress! However, do not neglect the so-called "classic" or regional AOCs either because they are full of value for money and nice surprises.
The style of Burgundy wines
Burgundy wines are, in their almost entirety, produced from two grape varieties: Pinot Noir for reds and Chardonnay for whites .These two varieties are today among the most appreciated in the world and, associated with the Burgundy terroirs, they allow wine production fine, balanced, complex and with a lovely freshness .
Pinot noir is thus renowned for its delicate aromas of red fruits (morello cherry, strawberry, raspberry), pepper as well as its elegant tannins .
For its part, Chardonnay is recognized for its great adaptability, its finesse aromatic , its notes of citrus and stone fruits, white flowers and sometimes butter and vanilla when aged in oak barrels.
Finally, Burgundy wines are also very popular because most of them can can be enjoyed in their youth but can also be kept in the cellar The finest wines, notably the Premiers Crus and Grands Crus, in fact show good aging potential .
For a gift, Burgundy wines are so perfectly adapted because the lucky recipient will be able to indulge themselves as they wish, without having to wait 10 years or more for their bottle to reach its peak.
A great diversity of appellations
Finally, if Burgundy wines are also very popular as gifts, it is also thanks to the great diversity of appellations in the region, leaving little room for redundancy and opening the door to curiosity and adventure.
The Burgundy vineyard account indeed 84 appellations including 33 Grands Crus, 44 AOC Villages and 7 regional AOCs . Among these 84 AOCs, we also find a very wide range of climates (or plots), notably 662 Premiers Crus as well as a plethora of localities . Good luck before you go around!
This vast choice gives you the possibility of finding a wine to suit every occasion and every budget , from the Côtes de Nuits to the Mâconnais via the Côte de Beaune and the Côte Chalonnaise.
Pyramidal hierarchy of Burgundy wines
Burgundy red wines to offer
Burgundy red wines, made from the Pinot Noir grape, are famous for their complexity and finesse. Here are some examples of styles and appellations to consider for a gift.
Marsannay and Fixin
Located at the northern end of the Côte de Nuits, Marsannay And Fixin offer fruity and accessible wines , perfect for getting started with Burgundy while staying in reasonable prices. The wines of these appellations can often be consumed in their youth, although some also have good aging potential.
Orient yourself here on the Philippe Naddef domain , a great reference on these appellations!
Gevrey-Chambertin
Known as the "king of Burgundy wines", Gevrey-Chambertin offer powerful and complex wines , presenting aromas of ripe red fruits, spices as well as marked tannins in their youth. These are also wines known for their long storage potential .
Many renowned Premiers Crus dot the AOC such as The Cazetiers , Little Chapel or even At Combottes The vineyard also has 8 Grands Crus on its own with big names like Chambertin , Chambertin-Clos-de-Beze or even Charmes-Chambertin .
Offering a bottle of Gevrey-Chambertin is therefore a guarantee of quality and refinement that will not leave you unmoved! We recommend, for example, the very fine vintages of Marchand-Grillot estate ...to die for!
Nuits-Saint-Georges
Nuits-Saint-Georges produces complex wines that can be summed up in one sentence. Some are robust, colorful and tannic . Others more airy and elegant . In any case, the appellation offers bottles with beautiful aromatic complexities and great aging potential.
Why not take a look at the delicious wines of Decelle & Fils domain ?
Pommard
The wines of Pommard are known for their power and their solid tannic structure They develop aromas of dark fruits, earth, leather and sometimes dark chocolate as well as an animal side over time.
Pommard is an emblematic name from the Côte de Beaune. Offering a bottle from the region therefore shows an appreciation for wines of character and a particular attention to the great Burgundian classics.
Premiers Crus like The Rugians , The Epenots Or The Pézerolles are particularly appreciated.
Chambolle-Musigny
Finesse and grace immediately come to mind when the delicious Chambolle-Musigny is mentioned. Here, the wines are fine, silky, elegant and feminine The materials are smooth, the tannins delicate and the notes are fruity and floral (violet in particular).
The reputation of Chambolle-Musigny makes it a perfect choice for a refined gift . Ideal for impressing connoisseurs!
Mercurey and Givry
The wines of Mercurey And Givry are generally fruity, delicious and beautifully balanced . These are also much more accessible in terms of price than those of the previously mentioned names, while guaranteeing a high-level tasting.
Mercurey and Givry therefore offer remarkable value for money and the wines of these appellations are an excellent way to share a beautiful Burgundian discovery without breaking the bank!
We are thinking here, for example, of the François Raquillet estate on Mercurey and the magnificent Cellier aux Moines estate on Givry
Pinot noir vines in the Gevrey-Chambertin AOC
Burgundy white wines to offer
Just like red wines (if not more), white Burgundy wines are also renowned for their quality and diversity. Here are some recommendations for an unforgettable gift.
Chablis
Located in the north of Burgundy, Chablis is famous for its mineral white wines and lively offering notes of citrus, white fruits, flint and sometimes butter and brioche.
If you want to offer a beautiful bottle of the region as a gift, we advise you to go to one of the 17 Premier Crus "flag-bearers" of the appellation (40 if we count all the subdivisions) or one of the 7 Grand Cru climates which will guarantee you a certain quality and aromatic complexity.
Chablis is a perfect gift for lovers of elegant and taut white wines. The wines of the appellation are appreciated for their character as well as their great drinkability . For example, go for the delicious wines of Garnier & Fils domain !
Meursault
Meursault is synonymous with great rich and complex white wines , with aromatics focused on stone fruits, butter, vanilla as well as dried fruits such as almonds and hazelnuts. The appellation counts 20 Premier Crus as Charms Or The Santenots which are excellent choices for a gift.
To offer a Meursault is to propose a classy and gourmet experience in tasting. The richness and complexity of the vintages make the appellation a prestigious choice to impress wine lovers. great wines . We recommend you here the grandiose vintages of Jacques Prieur estate or even the delicious Meursault of Michelot domain .
Puligny-Montrachet
The AOC Puligny-Montrachet produces some of the finest Chardonnays in the world. Elegance, tension and minerality are the key words here and the white wines of the appellation are always very popular gifts.
The reputation of the appellation's wines has also been built thanks to its 17 Premier Crus as well as to 4 AOC Grand Cru present in the commune of Puligny-Montrachet: Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet
Giving a bottle of Puligny-Montrachet is a sign of sophisticated taste and appreciation for great white wines.We recommend the vintages of Alain Chavy domain , whether it is a vintage in the village appellation or the Premier Cru The Folatières , success guaranteed!
Chassagne-Montrachet
The wines of Chassagne-Montrachet are generally more generous and structured than those of Puligny. If the notion of minerality is still very present, the delicacy takes on more importance here and the aromatics evolve between richness and freshness , always with a beautiful complexity.
Please note that 3 AOC Grand Cru are present in the village of Chassagne: Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet (straddling Puligny and Chassagne) as well as Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet.
The appellation East a symbol of excellence in white wines worldwide. A gift from this appellation is therefore also a certainty of making a strong impression and satisfy the most demanding palates! We recommend here the wines of estate at the foot of bald mountain !
Pouilly-Fuisse
In the far south of the Burgundy vineyard, is located the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation . Entirely dedicated to white wines, the latter offers magnificent vintages reasonable prices compared to the Côte de Beaune.
The wines here evolve on notes of peach, apricot, citrus or white flowers and are generally aged in barrels, giving them aromas of butter, vanilla, hazelnut and toast. Since the 2020 vintage, and after 15 years of relentless mobilization by local winegrowers, 22 climates were awarded Premier Cru status .
Pouilly-Fuissé wines are appreciated for their charm as well as their consensuality . This is an ideal appellation for an elegant and less formal gift than the great appellations of the Côte d'Or. We recommend here the wines of the Cheveau domain , a very safe bet in the region!
To conclude this list of suggestions, here are, as a bonus, some other appellations and areas that are also worth a look: Rully ( Jaeger-Defaix Estate ), High Coasts of Nights ( Thevenot Le Brun Estate ), Saint-Véran ( Bodillard Vineyards ) etc. You now have all the keys in hand!
As you will have understood, Burgundy wines are almost always a great way to say thank you or to please! Offering a wine from the region is indeed much more than a simple gift: it is an invitation to discover an exceptional wine heritage as well as to share great moments . So whether you opt for an elegant and complex red wine from Chambolle-Musigny or a refined and mineral white wine from Puligny-Montrachet, and if you follow our advice, you will be sure that your gift will be a success!
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, The Illuminated Cellar stands at your disposal full disposal!
Chardonnay vines from the Grand Cru Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet
