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A Guide to Burgundy's Classification System
Navigating the complex and storied landscape of Burgundian wine can feel like deciphering a cryptic code at first glance. It's indeed multifaceted, but its intricacies are nothing less than captivating - much like the wines themselves.
Burgundy's classification system is structured around five mn geographical zones:
Chablis
C?te de Nuits
C?te de Beaune
C?te Chalonnse
Maconns
In contrast to Bordeaux’s 1855 classification system, which ranks producers based on estate quality, Burgundy centers its classification around terroir - the unique characteristics of individual vineyard plots or climats. Here are the hierarchical classifications:
Regional Wines: Made from grapes sourced from any region in Burgundy
Village Wines: Named after towns near where their grapes are sourced
Premier Cru Wines: Produced from single-vineyard areas within villages, sometimes as a bl of premier cru plots from one village
Grand Cru Wines: The top echelon of the pyramid, boasting exceptional quality and prestige
Let's break down this system more precisely:
Burgundy boasts over 100 classified regions, with only about 1 classified as Grand Crus, 10 as Premier Crus, 37 village wines, and a substantial majority 52 regional wines. Village wines are from designated communes like Chablis or Nuits-St-Georges, whereas regional wines fall under the broader Bourgogne appellation.
A key note is that vineyards can be divided among multiple owners in Burgundy. Take Le Chambertin, a Grand Cru vineyard shared by Domne Armand Rousseau, Domne Drouhin-L'Orange, and others. However, some vineyards like La Romanee-Conti are entirely owned by a single estate - Domne de la Romanee-Conti, which has pushed prices skyward.
Here's a breakdown of the top Grand Crus and Premier Cru by average price:
Table with ranking based on Wine-Searcher as of December 31, 2022
As for Chablis, known for its vibrant Chardonnays, it has its own ranking system:
Petit Chablis: Produced from grapes grown around the Chablis village, these wines exude high acidity and citrus notes.
Chablis: Grapes come from limestone slopes near the village of Chablis; these wines are more rounded and minerally.
Premier Cru Chablis: These wines originate from vineyards with Kimmeridgian limestone marl, giving them a sophisticated and elegant character.
Grand Cru Chablis: A small area north of the village comprises seven climats Blanchot, Bougros, Les Clos, Grenouilles, Presuses, Valmur, Vaudesir. Many of these wines are aged in oak.
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Burgundy Wine Classification System Overview Chablis vs C?te de Beaune Vineyards Premier Cru vs Grand Cru Wines Distinction Burgundy Village Wine Characteristics Geographical Zones of Burgundy Explained Top Grand Crus and their Prices