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What white grape varieties grow in Burgundy?

What white grape varieties grow in Burgundy?

Question of the week

Jens W. of M. wonders whether many of the white wine vines on the Côte d’Or in Burgundy are not Chardonnay but Pinot Gris. What type of wine is produced in this famous French agricultural region?

Burgundy is based on two elegant and noble grapes: Chardonnay for whites and Pinot Noir for reds. This was the case in the past, when monks grew wine and were convinced that a particular place produced its own tasting wine.

Some of the world’s greatest white wines are produced in Burgundy, which in addition to the Côte d’Or (Côte de Beaune, Côte de Nuits) includes other growing regions such as the equally famous Chablis, but also lesser-known regions such as Mâconnais or St-Aubin. The second, less important type is Aligoté. In addition, Pinot gris, but also Pinot blanc and Sauvignon blanc, for example, are grown in really small quantities. But these plants are not known in this country.

In complete contrast to Chardonnay: depending on the location, complex, mineral, elegant and storable plants are created that travel half the world around. At the top is Grands Crus. Then come Premiers Crus, village wines and a beginner’s wine called Bourgogne blanc. Many wines are aged in small wooden barrels, and the proportion of new wood varies depending on location and vintage.

By the way, Chardonnay was never on the label. Estates indicate the origin of the wine, for example Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières or Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières.

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