Burgundy (or ‘Bourgogne’ to the French) is a small wine region with a big influence on the wine world.

It is situated in central eastern France and it is comprised of 5 main growing areas:

• Chablis
• Côte de Nuits
• Côte de Beaune
• Côte Chalonnaise
• Mâconnais

Wines from Burgundy can be classified into 4 categories, with the two single vineyard communes producing the highest quality of Premier Cru and Grand Cru. The very best wines typically hail from the Cote d’Or which is made up of The Cote de Nuit and the Cote De Beaune.

The Grand Cru Vineyards in Burgundy are among the most expensive vineyards in the world.

There are 2 main Grapes involved in the production of Bourgogne wines. These are Chardonnay for the white wines and Pinot Noir for the red. The reason these two grapes are so prominent is due to the cooler climate of the region. Though some lesser known grapes do grow here and can be used in certain wines, this is very uncommon.

The soils in Burgundy can vary dramatically from one vineyard to the next, which is part of the reason these wines are so coveted. The Vineyards are split into ‘Climats’, which are individual plots of land that each have their own unique soil, microclimate and other distinct characteristics.*

160 million years ago, Burgundy was covered by a shallow sea. Fossilized sea life provides the basis for the Jurassic limestone soils* that remain and help to give each wine their unique sense of place.

Despite being such a well-known and coveted region, Burgundy produces a surprisingly small amount of wine totalling around 3% of the total wine produced in France. As a result, the wines tend to be more sought after and therefore more expensive.

However, when you are buying a wine from such a historical location, drenched in wine making expertise, the price really doesn’t matter so much!

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About Bordeaux Wine

9 out of 10 wines produced in Bordeaux are red. The remaining 10% are made up of dry white, sweet white and sparkling. That’s right – there is such thing as a Cremant de Bordeaux.

So what is it about this wine region, that makes it a household name around the world?

Well it all starts with geography. Bordeaux represents the perfect wine country. The land is fertile and the temperature is warm, but with the benefit of cooling winds from the sea. This gives the grapes a long ripening season.

As mentioned, Bordeaux is most famed for its red wines, but did you know that it is also the birthplace of Sauternes, the traditional dessert wine you can find almost anywhere? It is no wonder that Sauternes is so highly regarded, knowing that is derives from one of the most well established wine regions in the world.

Another reason that red wines from Bordeaux are so prized, is due to their ageing potential. All of the red wines from Bordeaux will be aged in barrels before bottling, but thanks to the Cabernet Sauvignon Grape which is highly tannic, these wine are also able to age incredibly well in the bottle. This makes them highly collectible.

What does Bordeaux wine taste like?

Red wines from Bordeaux are typically medium to full bodied, with high levels of tannin (the sensation of dryness on the mouth). The wines have strong fruit flavours of blackcurrant and plum, with a more savoury finish. The fruit flavours can vary depending on the age of the wine, and the region in Bordeaux that it derives, from tart to sweet.

What does Bordeaux wine go with?

The most obvious choice for pairing Bordeaux with is steak. The wine has such a bold flavour, that complements the meat. The fat content in the meat also works well to smooth out the tannins in the wine, meaning both the food and wine taste even more delicious when paired.

Some other meat dishes you might want to try include:

• Roast Pork
• Chicken liver
• Venison
• Duck

Bordeaux also pairs well with numerous cheeses including Manchego, Comte and White Cheddar.

Mouth watering yet?

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