About This Wine Region:
The French Wine region of Burgundy (aka “Bourgogne”) may be small in size but its influence is huge in the world of vino. The complexity of Burgundy can cast fear into the heart of even a seasoned wine pro, but fear not – the region need only be as complicated as you want it to be.
Yes, it is home to some of the most expensive wines in the known universe, but there are tasty and affordable wines too.
Just The Facts
The easiest way to wrap your brain around Burgundy is to understand that there are really only two grape varieties to remember:
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
There are others too, of course, like Aligoté, Pinot Gris, Gamay, and Sauvignon Blanc but the primary focus of Burgundy’s production is Pinot Noir for Bourgogne Rouge and Chardonnay for Bourgogne Blanc.
To the Burgundy vigneron (winemaker) the region is not only the original home of these grapes, but the terroir (“tear-wah”) that best expresses their character – elegant, aromatic, and complex.
What is Terroir? Terroir is the symbiosis of grapes, soil, climate, vineyard placement, and human touch, all rolled into one. Burgundy is all about terroir– it’s not just the taste of rocks!
