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 thoughtfulness with style.
Moreover, while France has many highly qualitative wine regions, such as Bordeaux or the Rhône Valley, Burgundy nevertheless remains the most sought-after and appreciated region when it comes to gifting wine. In this article, we will therefore explore together why this vineyard is so special and provide you with all our advice to help you select THE Burgundy bottle you need.
Welcome to the land of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir!
Summary
Map of Burgundy sub-regions
Why choose a Burgundy wine as a gift?
Many factors make Burgundy occupy a unique place in the world of wine.The region is indeed considered an absolute benchmark, along with Champagne and Bordeaux, when it comes to offering a bottle. But then, what are the reasons for this enthusiasm?
The prestige of the region
The reputation of Burgundy 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 therefore inevitably reflected in the international recognition of the region's wines.
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, the 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 the total production and the best wines of the region come from these soils.
Then come the Premiers Crus, elite terroirs accounting for about 10% of the production.
Finally, there are the AOC village wines (36% of the production) and the regional AOCs (53% of the 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 a Premier Cru is a mark of excellence that is sure to impress! Nevertheless, do not overlook the so-called "classic" or regional AOCs, as they are full of value for money and wonderful surprises.
The style of Burgundy wines
Burgundy wines are, in their vast majority, made 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, combined with the Burgundy terroirs, they allow the production of fine, balanced, complex wines with beautiful 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 renowned 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 highly appreciated because most of them can be enjoyed in their youth but can also be cellared. The finest wines, especially the Premiers Crus and Grands Crus, indeed demonstrate 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 redundancy and opening the door to curiosity and adventure.
The Burgundy vineyard in fact has 84 appellations, including 33 Grands Crus, 44 AOC Villages, and 7 regional AOCs. Among these 84 AOCs, there is also a very wide range of "climats" (or plots), notably 662 Premiers Crus as well as a plethora of lieux-dits. Good luck trying to discover them all!
This vast selection thus offers you the possibility to find a wine suited to every occasion and every budget, from the Côte de Nuits to the Mâconnais, including the Côte de Beaune as well as the Côte Chalonnaise.
Pyramidal hierarchy of Burgundy wines
Burgundy red wines to offer
Burgundy red wines, made from the Pinot Noir grape variety, are renowned for their complexity and finesse. Here are some examples of styles and appellations to consider as a gift.
Marsannay and Fixin
Located at the northern end of the Côte de Nuits, Marsannay and Fixin offer fruity and approachable wines, perfect for discovering Burgundy while still enjoying reasonable prices. The wines from these appellations can often be enjoyed in their youth, although some also have good aging potential.
Find your way here to the Huguenot estate, a great reference for these appellations!
Gevrey-Chambertin
Known as the "king of Burgundy wines", Gevrey-Chambertin offers powerful and complex wines, featuring aromas of ripe red fruits, spices, as well as pronounced tannins in their youth. These are also wines renowned for their long aging potential.
Many renowned Premier Crus are scattered throughout the AOC, such as Les Cazetiers, Petite Chapelle, and Aux Combottes. The vineyard also boasts 8 Grand Crus of its own, with famous names like Chambertin, Chambertin-Clos-de-Bèze, and 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 delicately crafted cuvées from the Marchand-Grillot estate... simply outstanding!
Nuits-Saint-Georges
Nuits-Saint-Georges produces wines too complex to be summed up in a single sentence. Some are robust, deeply colored, and tannic. Others are more airy and focused on elegance. In any case, the appellation offers bottles with beautiful aromatic complexity and excellent aging potential.
Why not take this opportunity to discover the delicious wines from Domaine Decelle et Fils ?
Pommard
The wines of Pommard are known for their power and solid tannic structure. They develop aromas of dark fruits, earth, leather, and sometimes dark chocolate, as well as an animal character over time.
Pommard is an iconic appellation of the Côte de Beaune. Offering a bottle from this region therefore demonstrates an appreciation for wines of character and a special attention to the great Burgundy 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 therefore 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, indulgent and nicely balanced.These are also much more affordable in terms of price than those from the previously mentioned appellations, while guaranteeing a high-level tasting experience.
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, one might think of Domaine François Raquillet in Mercurey and the magnificent Domaine du Cellier aux Moines in Givry.
Pinot Noir vines on the Gevrey-Chambertin AOC
Burgundy white wines to offer
Just like 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 white wines and lively character offering notes of citrus, white fruits, flint, and sometimes butter and brioche.
If you wish to offer a fine bottle from the region as a gift, we recommend choosing one of the 17 Premier Crus "flagship" wines of the appellation (40 if you count all the sub-divisions) 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 vibrant white wines. The wines of the appellation are appreciated for their character as well as their great drinkability. Go for example for the delicious wines from Domaine Garnier & Fils!
Meursault
Meursault is synonymous with great rich and complex white wines, with aromas focused on stone fruits, butter, vanilla, as well as dried fruits like almond and hazelnut. The appellation has 20 Premier Crus such as Charmes or Les Santenots which are excellent choices for a gift.
Offering a Meursault means providing a classy and indulgente 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 grandiose 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 this appellation are always highly appreciated gifts.
The reputation of the wines from the appellation has also been built thanks to its 17 Premier 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. Here we recommend 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.If the notion of minerality is still very much present, the indulgentise indeed takes on greater importance here and the aromatics evolve between richness and freshness, always with beautiful complexity.
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 guarantee of making a strong impression and of satisfying the most demanding palates! We recommend here the wines from Domaine Au Pied du Mont Chauve!
Pouilly-Fuissé
Located at the very south of the Burgundy vineyard, you will find 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 relentless efforts by local winemakers, 22 climats have been recognized as Premier Cru.
The wines of Pouilly-Fuissé are appreciated for their charm as well as their consensuality. It is an ideal appellation for an elegant gift and less formal than the major appellations of the Côte d'Or.We recommend here the wines from the Cheveau estate, a very reliable value 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 (Jaeger-Defaix Estate), Hautes-Côtes de Nuits (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 an excellent way to say thank you or to bring joy! Gifting a wine from the region is indeed much more than a simple present: it is an invitation to discover an exceptional wine heritage as well as to share great moments.Thus, 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 guaranteed the success of your gift!
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, La Cave Éclairée is at your complete disposal!
Chardonnay vines from the Grand Cru Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet
