Giving wine as a gift is a well-established tradition in French culture. Whether it's to say thank you or to celebrate a special occasion, a carefully selected bottle according to the tastes of the lucky recipient indeed allows you to mark your attention with class.
Moreover, while France has many high-quality wine regions, such as Bordeaux or the Rhône Valley, Burgundy remains nonetheless the most requested and appreciated when it comes to giving wine. In this article, we will explore together why this vineyard is so special and provide you with all our advice to select THE Burgundy bottle you need.
Welcome to the land of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir!
Map of Burgundy's sub-regions
Why choose a Burgundy wine as a gift?
Numerous factors make Burgundy hold a special place in the wine world. The region indeed serves as an absolute reference, along with Champagne and Bordeaux, when it comes to gifting 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 Burgundian 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 regional wines.
Synonymous with prestige and quality, the wines of the region are consequently 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 AOC regional wines (53% of the production).
To date, and although no classification is perfect, no other hierarchy in the world allows for this level of precision.
Thus, offering a Grand Cru or a Premier Cru is a guarantee of excellence that will surely impress! Nevertheless, do not overlook the so-called "classic" or regional AOCs as they are full of value for money and pleasant surprises.
The style of Burgundy wines
Burgundy wines are, in almost their entirety, made from two grape varieties: Pinot Noir for reds and Chardonnay for whites. These two varieties are among the most appreciated in the world today and, combined with the Burgundy terroirs, they allow the production of wines that are fine, balanced, complex, and endowed with a 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.
On the other hand, Chardonnay is known for its great adaptability, its finesse aromatic, its citrus and stone fruit notes, 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 also be stored in a cellar. The finest wines, especially the Premiers Crus and Grands Crus, indeed show great aging potential.
As a gift, Burgundy wines are therefore perfectly suited because 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 large variety of designations
Finally, if Burgundy wines are also highly appreciated as gifts, it is also thanks to the large variety of designations in the region, leaving little room for redundancy and opening the door to curiosity and adventure.
The Burgundy vineyard indeed has 84 designations including 33 Grands Crus, 44 AOC Villages, 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 before taking the tour!
This wide selection offers you the opportunity to find a wine suitable for every occasion and every budget, from the Côtes 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 variety, are renowned 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 in their youth, although some also have good aging potential.
Orient yourself here on 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, featuring aromas of ripe red fruits, spices, and pronounced tannins in their youth. These wines are also known for their long aging potential.
Many renowned Premier Crus dot the AOC such as Les Cazetiers, Petite Chapelle, and Aux Combottes.The vineyard also boasts 8 Grands Crus on its own with big 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 leave anyone indifferent! We recommend, for example, the delicately crafted cuvées from domaine Marchand-Grillot...simply exquisite!
Nuits-Saint-Georges
Nuits-Saint-Georges produces wines that are too complex to summarize in one sentence. Some are robust, colorful, and tannic. Others are more airy and focused on elegance.In any case, the appellation offers bottles with beautiful aromatic complexities and great aging potential.
Why not consider the delicious wines from domaine Decelle & Fils?
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 side over time.Pommard is an emblematic appellation of the Côte de Beaune. Offering a bottle from the region thus shows an appreciation for wines of character and a particular attention to the great Burgundian 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 fine, 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 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. Moreover, they are much more affordable in terms of price than those from the previously mentioned appellations, while still ensuring 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 beautiful Burgundian discovery without breaking the bank!
We think, for example, of the domaine François Raquillet in Mercurey and the magnificent domaine du Cellier aux Moines in Givry
Pinot Noir vines on the AOC Gevrey-Chambertin
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 and lively white wines offering notes of citrus, white fruits, flint, and sometimes butter and brioche.
If you wish to gift a beautiful bottle from the region, we recommend choosing one of the 17 "flagship" Premier Crus of the appellation (40 if all subdivisions are counted) 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 taut white wines.The wines from the appellation are appreciated for their character as well as their great drinkability. For example, dive into the delicious wines from Domaine Garnier & Fils!
Meursault
Meursault is synonymous with great rich and complex white wines, with aromatics focused on stone fruits, butter, vanilla, as well as dried fruits like almond and hazelnut. The appellation includes 20 Premier Crus such as Charmes or Les Santenots which are excellent choices for a gift.
Offering 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 fine wine enthusiasts. We recommend here the grandiose vintages from Domaine Jacques Prieur or the delicious Meursault from Domaine Michelot.
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 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 AOC Grand Cru present 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 the 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 always present, indulgence indeed takes on more importance here, and the aromatics evolve between richness and freshness, always with beautiful complexity.
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 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 satisfying 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 located the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation.Entirely dedicated to white wines, this one offers magnificent cuvées at reasonable prices compared to the Côte de Beaune.
The wines here evolve with 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 climates 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 that is less formal than the major appellations of the Côte d'Or.We recommend here the wines from the domaine Cheveau, a very reliable choice from the region!
To conclude this list of suggestions, here are, as a bonus, some other appellations and domains that are also worth a visit: 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! Offering a wine from the region is indeed much more than just a gift: 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 will be assured of the success of your gift!
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions,
Chardonnay vines of the Grand Cru Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet
