Burgundy, aka Bourgogne in French, is in the center of France, about 300 km or 190 miles southeast of Paris. You can also reach Burgundy by a short train ride or a drive from Lyon, Geneve, or Lausanne in Switzerland.
Burgundy wines are elegant, aromatic, and complex. They are often thought to be the canonic expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the main grapes of the region.
In addition, the most expensive wines in the world come from this region of France. In 2018, a bottle of Domaine Romanee Conti 1945 was sold for $558,000 at Sotheby’s New York, which was the highest price ever paid for a bottle of wine at an auction. Of course, not all Burgundy wines are sold at astronomic prices.
The 33 Grand Cru domaines of Burgundy are in the Cote D’Or and one in Chablis. They are the most prestigious followed by over 600 premier crus spread between Chablis, the Cote d’Or and the Cote Chalonnaise. The less expensive Burgundy Reds and Burgundy whites are coming from any place in Burgundy.
Burgundy wine classification system can be found here.
The landscapes are hilly and set with small medieval villages and Romanesque churches.
When visiting Burgundy, drive along the Grand Cru wine route, sample famous Burgundy wines at the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits wineries, wander the historic heart of Beaune and discover traditional shops in Dijon, the Burgundy’s capital.
If you take route N74 between Dijon and Beaune, the most famous villages you can visit are Morey-Saint-Denis, Vougeot (be sure to visit the Clos-Vougeot), Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée (and its priceless Romanée-Conti), and Nuits-Saint-Georges.
What to see in Dijon:
Entrance fees and some guided visits, as well as local public transport are included in the Dijon City Pass.
What to see in Beaune:
Stay at a hotel, a bed and breakfast, an apartment or a cabin. You can check out the options at the Discover Burgundy website.