Why does Burgundy have so many different wine names?
That's the question I hear most often during my tasting workshops in Dijon. Someone picks up a bottle, reads "Gevrey-Chambertin", "Bourgogne Pinot Noir" or "Vosne-Romanée", and asks: why so many names? Where is the grape variety?
The good news: it seems complicated, but the system is actually very simple once the basics are laid out. And it is not necessary to memorize them all to appreciate Burgundy.
The short answer: Burgundy wines are named after a place, not a grape variety.
In much of the wine world, bottles bear the name of the grape variety: Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec. Burgundy does exactly the opposite. Its wines are named according to the place where the grapes come from..
The reason is historical. For centuries, Cistercian monks and the Dukes of Burgundy observed that neighboring plots, sometimes separated by just a few meters, produced wines with different personalities. They delineated and named them. The principle is simple: the place matters more than the grape variety. This tradition is now recognized by UNESCO, which inscribed the Climats of the Burgundy vineyard as a World Heritage site in 2015.
The grape varieties themselves are few: the pinot noir for most reds, the chardonnay for most whites, with aligoté and gamay in supporting roles. It is the names of places that are multiplying.
The three-step system: Region, Village, Vineyard
Imagine a zoom on a map: the more precise the location, the more specific the wine.
1. The Region: the broadest level Wines labeled Burgundy (for example Burgundy Pinot Noir or Burgundy Chardonnay) can come from grapes grown throughout the region. It is often an excellent way to start.
2. The Village: a more precise origin The wine comes here from the vines located around a specific village: Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard, Volnay or Meursault. The name of the village informs about the style and character of this particular corner of Burgundy. Often, the name of a single plot is also provided.
3. The Vineyard: the most precise level Within a village, certain named plots (the climats) are recognized for their exceptional quality. They are classified as Premier Cru or Grand Cru.
- Premier Cru : the name of the village followed by the name of the climat, for example Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru « Clos Saint-Jacques ».
- Grand Cru : the top of the pyramid, where the name of the climate appears alone on the label, for example Chambertin, without the name of the village.
Reading a Burgundy label
| What you read | What it means |
|---|---|
| Burgundy Pinot Noir | Regional level: broad origin, accessible style |
| Gevrey-Chambertin | Village level: grapes from the vines around the village |
Gevrey-Chambertin + name of the climate | Village level: grapes from the vines around the village but from a specific plot |
| Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru + name of the climate | A specific plot, better classified, within the village |
| Chambertin | Grand Cru: the name of the climate alone, at the top of the pyramid |
A simple rule: the more specific the location, the smaller the production, and generally the higher the price.
Burgundy in numbers
According to the Burgundy Wine Interprofessional Bureau (BIVB), Burgundy has 84 controlled designation of origin (AOC) : 33 Grand Crus, 44 Village appellations and 7 Regional appellations. In addition, there are 662 climates classified as Premier Cru. These are not standalone appellations: each remains attached to its Village appellation, and together they represent about 10% of Burgundy's production.
Sources: BIVB, "Understanding the Appellations of Burgundy Wines" (vins-bourgogne.fr); Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne, "First Growths of Burgundy" (citeclimatsvins-bourgogne.com).
Why does the system seem so complex?
Several reasons explain the number of names:
- Tiny plots. The Burgundy vineyards are fragmented into many small plots, and a single vineyard can be shared among dozens of owners, each producing their own version of the wine. Therefore, two bottles with the same name can differ depending on the producer.
- Villages that have added a famous name. Many villages have added to their name that of their most renowned vineyard, hence Gevrey-Chambertin or Aloxe-Corton.
- The same name, multiple producers. It's part of the charm of Burgundy, and that's also why tasting with someone who knows the producers helps a lot.
Do you have to memorize them all? Absolutely not.
No. Start with the basics: Region, Village, Vineyard. Then let your palate guide you. Taste a Burgundy and a village wine side by side, and you will feel the difference between "a Burgundy wine" and "a wine from this corner of Burgundy." That's precisely what names are for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Burgundy indicate the grape variety on the label? Because the place of origin is considered more important than the grape variety. In Burgundy, it is the vineyard that gives its identity to the wine.
What grape varieties are used in Burgundy? Mainly pinot noir (red) and chardonnay (white). Aligoté and gamay are also grown.
What is the difference between Premier Cru and Grand Cru? Both refer to recognized plots. The Premiers Crus carry the name of the village followed by that of the climate (662 climates are classified). The Grand Cru is the highest level (33 appellations), each with its own specifications and the name of the climate alone on the label.
Is a more expensive Burgundy always better? Not necessarily. A more precise origin often results in a more expressive and rarer wine, but the best choice depends on your taste and the occasion.
Understanding Burgundy by tasting it
The simplest way to understand these names is to taste them. In my wine and cheese workshops in Dijon, we explore how the places of Burgundy translate into the glass, in a vaulted cellar in the historic center, in a small group and in a relaxed atmosphere, for beginners as well as connoisseurs.
Want to taste the difference between a region, a village, and a vineyard? Book a tasting workshop in Dijon and leave with the bottle that surprised you the most.