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Burgundy

Region
Burgundy is a diverse region - the best Burgundian wines come from a sub-region called the Cote d'Or. This is further segmented into subregions of the Cote de Nuits and the Cote de Beaune. In the Cote d'Or white wines are made from Chardonnay and are often fermented in oak barrels and aged for a period to give body and complexity, Meursault and Montrachet are to name a few. Flavours range from citrus to tropical, oak, spice and savoury. These wines are often very expensive.
Pinot Noir is found in the Cote de Nuits where wines from different villages show subtle variations. Basic Bourgogne AC will be medium bodied, with red fruit and savoury flavours, although the best, and more pricey wines come from individual villages. These offer complexity, intensity and length. The Burgundy system is complex, within each of the vineyards there are levels of quality Premier Cru (better vineyards) and Grand Cru (the best sites) and this can often be found specified on the label. Due to Napolionic law many of the best vineyards are owned by a range of people. Therefore it is preferable to know Domaines as well.
Chablis is a well known sub region to the North of Burgundy that normally makes unoaked wines from the Chardonnay grape. These are minerally, high in acidity and medium to light in body. Beaujolais is the region to the South of Burgundy and the Gamay grape dominates here. A lot of the wines are made by carbonic maceration giving fruity wines with low tannins with falvours of banana and kirsch. Some of the famed villages are Fleurie, Moulin a Vents and Brouilly
White Grape Variety: Chardonnay and Aligote
Red Grape Variety: Pinot Noir and Gamay
Climate: Cool