This small region of eastern France is considered the epitome of Pinot Noir
production. The combination of the clay/limestone soils, the climate and its gently
sloping vineyards produces some of the world’s most profound wines. Stretching
from Chablis, or more accurately Irancy, in the north via the Côte d’Or down to the
Mâconnais region in the south it features some of the most evocative names in the
wine world, think Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Nuits-Saint-Georges and
Beaune to name a few. Broadly it follows the north/south flowing river Saône, a major
tributary of the Rhône, its own tributaries provide the south, southeast facing slopes
that allow Pinot Noir to ripen to perfection. Pinot Noir is a grape that performs at its
best when just on the edge of ripeness, this is one of the reasons Burgundy retains its
title as the world’s foremost producer of this capricious grape variety.