Written on 10/01/2022
World-famous wines
It's no secret that Burgundy wines are among the most famous in the world. A reputation that has been built up over time and continues to this day. It's not unusual for foreigners to come to France to buy land in these regions.
But to find out where this fine reputation comes from, let's take a step back in time. Wine production in Burgundy dates back to the time of the Roman invasion. A reputation that had already begun in the 14th century. When the Dukes of Burgundy acquired vineyards in the region to prove their power and wealth. As a result, wine became a symbol of taste and refinement.
During the French Revolution, the vineyards that belonged to the Church were taken over by the Republic, before being sold and fragmented as they are today.
Burgundy's greatest asset is undoubtedly its diversity. This diversity is made possible by the numerous climats found in the region. These are so distinctive, and have such an impact on the wines produced, that they have been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List . A true consecration and an immense guarantee of quality.
Proof, if proof were needed, of the diversity of the terroir, there are no fewer than 84 appellations divided into 4 levels: regional appellations, communal appellations, Premiers Crus and Grands Crus .
All these factors make some wines veritable treasures. Some wines, such as a Romanée-Conti grand cru, have been sold for up to 12,000 euros. Burgundy wines are among the most expensive in the world. According to iDealwine 's 2016 ranking of the world's most expensive wines, 16 Burgundy wines occupied the top twenty places.
Louis-Fabrice Latour, President of the Bureau interprofessionnel des vins de Bourgogne, spoke to Le Monde in 2017 about this success and the image of an elitist wine: "The 3% or so represented by the grands noms and grands crus [33 in Burgundy] offer the image of inaccessible wines that nobody can buy, while many appellations are growing behind, such as Marsannay, Chorey-lès-beaune and so on. The vast majority of Burgundy wines retail for around 15 euros. It's not expensive for the region, but it's more expensive than the average bottle bought by the French".
What also makes these wines so famous is their rarity. And for good reason: despite its great name, Burgundy accounts for just 3% of France's vineyards, with a total surface area of 28,000 hectares.
Scarcity, climatic conditions and limited yields are all factors in the sharp rise in prices.x."I remember that, in the 1950s, there was a recipe for coq au vin made with Gevrey-chambertin, which would be impossible today", confessed Pierre Gernelle, Managing Director of the Fédération des négociants-éleveurs de Grande Bourgogne, also in Le Monde.
Scarcity, climatic conditions and limited yields are all factors in the sharp rise in prices.x."I remember that, in the 1950s, there was a recipe for coq au vin made with Gevrey-chambertin, which would be impossible today", confessed Pierre Gernelle, Managing Director of the Fédération des négociants-éleveurs de Grande Bourgogne, also in Le Monde.
