Burgundy Wines: Red and White Burgundy from the Home of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Bourgogne, Village, Premier Cru or Grand Cru?

These are the four quality levels, from the broadest to the most exclusive. Bourgogne wines can come from vineyards across the region and are the easiest way in. Try the Albert Bichot Vieilles Vignes Pinot Noir or the Bouchard Père & Fils Bourgogne Chardonnay.

Village wines carry the name of a single village, such as Meursault, Volnay or Gevrey-Chambertin, and show its particular character.

Premier Cru, also written 1er Cru, comes from named vineyards within a village, like Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières or Pommard Clos Blanc. These wines have more depth and reward a few years in the cellar.

Grand Cru is the highest level. There are 33 Grand Cru appellations, and together they make only about one per cent of the region's wine. Our range includes Clos de Vougeot, Corton-Charlemagne and Charmes-Chambertin.

The Wine Regions of Burgundy

The heart of the region is the Côte d'Or, a narrow slope that runs south from Dijon. The Côte de Nuits in the north is famous for red wines from villages like Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges. Most of the Grand Crus are here.

The Côte de Beaune further south is famous for white wines from Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. It also makes firm reds in Pommard and fine, delicate reds in Volnay.

In the far north, Chablis makes crisp, mineral Chardonnay. South of the Côte d'Or, the Côte Chalonnaise makes red wines from Mercurey, mostly from Pinot Noir. The Mâconnais is known for Chardonnay, from fresh Mâcon-Villages and Saint-Véran to richer Pouilly-Fuissé.

Burgundy Pinot Noir and White Burgundy

Burgundy Pinot Noir is pale in colour but full of perfume: red cherry and raspberry when young, forest floor and spice with age. Compare it with other regions in our Pinot Noir collection.

White Burgundy, or Burgundy Chardonnay, ranges from lean, citrusy Chablis to rich, nutty Meursault with a touch of oak. This is the benchmark for Chardonnay all over the world.

The region also makes Crémant de Bourgogne, a traditional method sparkling wine made mainly from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, in white and rosé. Find it alongside Champagne in our French sparkling wine range.

Burgundy Wine Brands in Our Range

Our range brings together four great houses based in Beaune: Maison Louis Latour, Bouchard Père & Fils, Joseph Drouhin and Albert Bichot. Family estates include Genot-Boulanger in Meursault and Domaine de la Pousse d'Or in Volnay, and Domaine Chantal Lescure adds wines from Nuits-Saint-Georges.

From the Mâconnais come Famille Paquet and Domaine Clos des Rocs, and lovers of Crémant de Bourgogne will find Louis Bouillot and Veuve Ambal, including its Domaine Gracieux Chevalier.

Serving and Food Pairing

Serve red Burgundy slightly cool, at 14 to 16 degrees, and the whites at 10 to 12 degrees. Pinot Noir loves duck, mushrooms and coq au vin, while Chardonnay suits roast chicken, lobster and creamy sauces.

What Wine Is Considered a Burgundy? Your Questions, Answered

What wine is considered a Burgundy?

A Burgundy is any wine from this region of eastern France. The reds are almost always Pinot Noir and the whites mostly Chardonnay, so the name refers to the place, while Pinot Noir is the grape.

What is the Australian equivalent of Burgundy?

No Australian region makes Burgundy, but cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley, from Tasmania or from the Mornington Peninsula use the same two grapes and are a good place to start.

Why is Burgundy wine so expensive?

There is little of it and demand comes from all over the world: the region makes only about half a per cent of the world's wine. Estates are small and famous vineyards are split among many owners. Bourgogne and village wines offer the classic style at a friendlier price.

Why Buy Burgundy Wine at YourWines?

From an everyday Bourgogne Pinot Noir to a Grand Cru for the cellar, you can buy Burgundy wine online in Australia at every level, alongside the rest of our French wine range.

Every wine is chosen by our team, available by the dozen or as a six-pack, and shipping is free Australia wide with a surcharge for WA, TAS and remote areas. For lighter, fruitier reds from just to the south, explore Beaujolais.