Although the Domaine Romanée-Contis get all the headlines around the world, a lot of the great village wines from Burgundy and below scarcely get a mention yet provide enjoyment to millions. It’s also meat and drink for the on-trade to provide Burgundy to customers at affordable prices.
Before you head to a Burgundy Week tasting gen up on the following facts:
1. Over half of all Burgundy wine is Régionale
This is below Village appellation level and includes Bourgogne Aligoté, Mâcon Villages and Crémant de Bourgogne amongst its 23 appelations.
2. Grand Cru makes up just 1% of Burgundy wine
3. Red Burgundy and Rosé amounts to just 28%
The bulk is white – 62% – with 10% Crémant de Bourgogne
4. Burgundy is 3% of all French wine production but has 22% of all French AOCs
This is mainly due to massive variation within the region’s terroir – over 400 different types of soil
5. Half of all Burgundy is exported
US has 20% of this with Britain close behind with 19%
6. A fifth of all Burgundy comes from Chablis
And Grand Auxerrois
7. There are 3,890 wine producing estates in Burgundy
8. Anchorman is not set in Burgundy
What you need to know about the 2015 vintage (in a nutshell)
9. 2015 is an outstanding vintage
10. The reds are excellent. The whites are great (but more variable)
11. The 2016 is 20% down in volume
This means prices for 2015 are up. It also means it is best to buy 2015 now.
12. 2015 prices are up
Because of the quality, the decrease in value of sterling, and the poor 2016 vintage
* Keep up to date with what is happening across Burgundy Week with a dedicated website from the BIVB (Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne) www.bourgogne-week.com with details of most major trade tastings and events taking place across the coming week.
