Giving wine as a gift is a well-established tradition 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 recipient is indeed a way to show your attention with class.
Moreover, while France boasts many high-quality wine regions, such as Bordeaux or the Rhône Valley, Burgundy remains nonetheless the most sought-after and appreciated region when it comes to gifting wine. In this article, we will explore together why this vineyard is so special and provide you with all our tips to select THE Burgundy bottle you need.
Welcome to the land of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir!
Map of Burgundy sub-regions
Why choose a Burgundy wine as a gift?
There are many reasons why Burgundy holds a special place in the world of wine. The region is indeed an absolute reference, along with Champagne and Bordeaux, when it comes to offering a bottle. But what are the reasons for this enthusiasm?
The prestige of the region
Burgundy's reputation is based, among other factors, on centuries of winemaking tradition. The Burgundy vineyards were indeed planted by Cistercian and Benedictine monks during the Middle Ages. This rich history is inevitably reflected in the international recognition of the region's wines.
Synonymous with prestige and quality, the region's wines 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 classification : a ranking based solely on the quality of the terroir.
At the top of this hierarchy are the Grands Crus. These represent about 1% of total production and the region's best wines come from these soils.
Next come the Premiers Crus, elite terroirs accounting for about 10% of production.
Finally, there are the village AOC wines (36% of production) and the regional AOCs (53% of production).
To date, and although no classification is perfect, no other hierarchy in the world achieves this level of precision.
Thus, offering a Grand Cru or Premier Cru is a guarantee of excellence that will not fail to impress! Nevertheless, do not overlook the so-called "classic" or regional AOCs as they offer great value for money and pleasant surprises.
The style of Burgundy wines
Burgundy wines are, for the most part, made from two grape varieties: Pinot Noir for reds and Chardonnay for whites. These two varieties are now among the most popular in the world and, combined with Burgundy's terroirs, allow for the production of wines that are refined, balanced, complex, and endowed with beautiful freshness.
Pinot Noir is renowned for its delicate aromas of red fruits (morello cherry, strawberry, raspberry), pepper, and its elegant tannins.
Chardonnay, on the other hand, is known for its great adaptability, its aromatic finesse, its notes of citrus and stone fruits, white flowers, and sometimes butter and vanilla when aged in oak barrels.
Finally, Burgundy wines are also highly appreciated because most of them can be enjoyed young but also aged in the cellar. The finest wines, especially the Premiers Crus and Grands Crus, indeed show great aging potential.
For a gift, Burgundy wines are therefore perfectly suited as the lucky recipient can enjoy them as they wish, without having to wait 10 years or more for the bottle to reach its peak.
A great diversity of appellations
Finally, if Burgundy wines are also highly appreciated as gifts, it is also thanks to the great diversity of appellations in the region, leaving little room for repetition and opening the door to curiosity and adventure.
The Burgundy vineyard has 84 appellations including 33 Grands Crus, 44 Village AOCs, and 7 regional AOCs. Among these 84 AOCs, there is also a very wide range of climates (or plots), notably 662 Premiers Crus as well as a plethora of lieux-dits. Good luck trying them all!
This vast choice thus gives you the opportunity to find a wine suited to every occasion and every budget, from the Côte de Nuits to the Mâconnais, including 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 discovering Burgundy while staying within reasonable prices. The wines from these appellations can often be enjoyed young, although some also have good aging potential.
Here, opt for the Domaine Philippe Naddef, a great reference for these appellations!
Gevrey-Chambertin
Known as the "king of Burgundy wines", Gevrey-Chambertin offers powerful and complex wines, with aromas of ripe red fruits, spices, and pronounced tannins in their youth. These are also wines known for their long aging potential.
Many renowned Premiers Crus dot the AOC such as Les Cazetiers, Petite Chapelle, or Aux Combottes. The vineyard also has 8 Grands Crus of its own with big names like Chambertin, Chambertin-Clos-de-Bèze, or Charmes-Chambertin.
Offering a bottle of Gevrey-Chambertin is therefore a guarantee of quality and refinement that will not go unnoticed! We recommend, for example, the refined cuvées from Domaine Marchand-Grillot...simply outstanding!
Nuits-Saint-Georges
Nuits-Saint-Georges produces wines too complex to sum up in one sentence. Some are robust, colorful, and tannic. Others are more aerial and focused on elegance. In any case, the appellation offers bottles with great aromatic complexity and excellent aging potential.
Why not try the delicious wines from Domaine Decelle & Fils here?
Pommard
The wines of Pommard are known for their power and solid tannic structure. They develop aromas of black fruits, earth, leather, and sometimes dark chocolate, as well as an animal note over time.
Pommard is an iconic appellation of the Côte de Beaune. Offering a bottle from this region therefore shows an appreciation for characterful wines and a special attention to Burgundy's great classics.
Premier Crus such as Les Rugiens, Les Épenots, or Les Pézerolles are particularly appreciated.
Chambolle-Musigny
Finesse and grace immediately come to mind when the delightful Chambolle-Musigny is mentioned. Here, the wines are refined, silky, elegant, and feminine. The textures are smooth, the tannins delicate, and the notes are fruity and floral (notably violet).
The reputation of Chambolle-Musigny thus 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,
Mercurey and Givry therefore offer remarkable value for money and the wines from these appellations are an excellent way to share a wonderful Burgundy discovery without breaking the bank!
For example, consider the Domaine François Raquillet in Mercurey and the magnificent Domaine du Cellier aux Moines in Givry
Pinot Noir vines in the Gevrey-Chambertin AOC
Burgundy white wines to offer
Just like the red wines (if not more so), Burgundy white 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 and lively white wines offering notes of citrus, white fruits, flint, and sometimes butter and brioche.
If you want to give a great bottle from the region as a gift, we recommend choosing one of the 17 flagship Premiers Crus of the appellation (40 if you count all the subdivisions) or one of the 7 Grand Cru climates which will guarantee a certain quality and aromatic complexity.
Chablis is a perfect gift for lovers of elegant and crisp white wines. The wines of the appellation are appreciated for their character as well as their great drinkability. For example, try the delicious wines from Domaine Garnier & Fils!
Meursault
Meursault is synonymous with great rich and complex white wines, with aromas of stone fruits, butter, vanilla, and dried fruits such as almond and hazelnut. The appellation has 20 Premiers Crus such as Charmes or Les Santenots which are excellent choices for a gift.
Offering a Meursault means providing a classy and memorable tasting experience. The richness and complexity of the cuvées make the appellation a prestigious choice to impress lovers of great wines. We recommend here the outstanding cuvées from Domaine Jacques Prieur or the delicious Meursault from Domaine Michelot.
Puligny-Montrachet
The Puligny-Montrachet AOC produces some of the finest Chardonnays in the world. Elegance, tension, and minerality are the key words here, and the white wines from the appellation are always highly appreciated gifts.
The reputation of the appellation's wines has also been built thanks to its 17 Premiers Crus as well as the 4 Grand Cru AOCs located in the commune of Puligny-Montrachet: Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet, and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet
Offering a bottle of Puligny-Montrachet is a sign of sophisticated taste and appreciation for great white wines. We recommend here the cuvées from Domaine Alain Chavy, whether it is a village appellation cuvée or the Premier Cru Les Folatières, guaranteed success!
Chassagne-Montrachet
The wines of Chassagne-Montrachet are generally more generous and structured than those of Puligny. While the notion of minerality is still very present,
Note that 3 Grand Cru AOCs are present in the village of Chassagne: Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet (straddling Puligny and Chassagne) as well as Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet.
The appellation is a symbol of excellence in white wines worldwide. A gift from this appellation is therefore also a sure way to make a strong impression and satisfy the most demanding palates! We recommend here the wines from Domaine Au Pied du Mont Chauve!
Pouilly-Fuissé
At the very south of the Burgundy vineyard is the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation. Entirely dedicated to white wines, it offers magnificent cuvées at reasonable prices compared to the Côte de Beaune.
The wines here develop notes of peach, apricot, citrus, or white flowers and are generally aged in barrels, giving them aromas of butter, vanilla, hazelnut, and toasted bread. Since the 2020 vintage, and after 15 years of determined effort by local winemakers, 22 climates have been recognized as Premier Cru.
Pouilly-Fuissé wines are appreciated for their charm as well as their universality. It 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 from Domaine Cheveau, a very safe bet in the region!
To conclude this list of suggestions, here are, as a bonus, a few other appellations and estates that are also worth discovering: Rully (Domaine Jaeger-Defaix), Hautes-Côtes de Nuits (Domaine Thevenot Le Brun), Saint-Véran (Vignobles Bodillard) etc. You now have all the keys in hand!
As you will have understood, Burgundy wines are almost always an excellent way to say thank you or to please! Giving a wine from the region is indeed much more than a simple gift: it is an invitation to discover an exceptional wine heritage and to share great moments. So, whether you choose 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 are sure to make your gift a success!
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions,
Chardonnay vines of the Grand Cru Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet
