Food & Beverages

Burgundy wines come from six stunning regions in France with a favorable climate, clay and limestone soils, and good exposure. Birthplace of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Burgundy produces some of the finest wines using these two main grape varieties. Although Pinot Noir and Chardonnay occupy most of Burgundys vineyards, Gamay and Aligot&eacute also grow in these regions.

Overall, Burgundys regulated vineyards produce more than 180 million bottles of wine per year, which is 5% of Frances total regulated production. As a region, Burgundy wines play a large part of the economy. The dry, cold winters and hot, sunny summers make the perfect climate for growing the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, although slight climate changes make vintages vary in quality year to year.

Tasting Burgundy Wines
The first step one takes while tasting Burgundy wines is to examine the appearance of the wine. Here, you can notice the liquids clarity, intensity of color, and shades. The wines appearance correlates directly with its development, whereas whites deepen in color as it ages, and reds lighten. Smelling is the next important step, which reveals the wines aromas.

As you take a sip of the wine, pay attention to each of the four taste sensations–salty, sweet, sour, and bitter. With white wines, you will also note varying acidity, while with red wines you will feel a sensation on the back of your throat from the tannin. Many flavors are associated with wine varieties, and you can begin picking these nuances up by mixing a small sip of wine with a little air in your mouth, working it against your palate using your teeth and tongue.