Burgundy & Beaujolais

The Burgundy wine region is one of France’s most famous. It sits in east-central France, creeping alongside the Saône River, where its limestone soil can add a zesty minerality to the wine. The Romans brought winemaking to the region in the First Century ACE, however it really kicked off in the Middle Ages when people made wine for both the Church and the Burgundian aristocracy.

Burgundy has has five sub-regions — Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais. There, you can find Aligoté, Pinot Gris, Gamay, and Sauvignon Blanc. However, by far, the dominant grapes of Burgundy are Pinot Noir for red and Chardonnay for white.

Actually, it’s six sub-regions since Beaujolais is a part of Burgundy, though we don’t tend to talk about it that way. Directly beneath the rest of Burgundy, Beaujolais follows the Saône down to Lyons, south of which the Rhône Valley begins.

Although a half dozen grapes are allowed to appear in official appellation Beaujolais wines, the area overwhelming grows and is known for Gamay. Whether you’re talking about wines from Beaujolais in general or from the higher quality Beaujolais Village areas, you’re talking about Gamays.

This week, please join guest pourer Julie from distributor Plant Wines as she tastes us through some Burgundies and Beaujolais. This tasting is another one of our free, walk-up tastings. Step out of the heat anytime between 5:00 and 6:30 PM.