The Burgundy region is like a magnet for lovers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and is internationally renowned for its elegant and ethereal style.

The area spans the Northern appellation of Chablis, where only Chardonnay is permitted, through to the southern Maconnais.

The most famous sub-region is the Côte D’or, which literally translates as the golden slope. This part of Burgundy incapsulates a plethora of famous vineyard names, from Romanée Conti and Chambertin in the Cotes de Nuit, to Corton-Charlemagne and Montrachet in the Cotes de Beaune.

Vintages can be challenging, with spring frost and summer hail decimating crops, leading to bidding wars and inflated prices over tiny allocations. The white wine styles range immensely from one extreme to the next, with steely and fresh whites from Chablis to buttery and voluptuous expressions from Meursault. The Pinot Noir reds can be firm and structured from communes like Gevrey-Chambertin, whilst neigbouring Morey-St-Denis wines are more floral and fruit driven.

About 30km south of the historic town of Beaune lies the Cotes Challonaise, where approachable, vibrant and fruit driven whites and reds can be found in the appellations of Givry and Mercurey. It’s true that the beauty of Burgundy is all in the terroir, with each appellation in the region offering a different experience to every wine drinker.