Burgundy

Burgundy is one of the world's great wine regions, producing some of the finest expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Stretching from Chablis in the north through the Côte d'Or and Côte Chalonnaise to the Mâconnais, its vineyards produce an extraordinary range of styles, from crisp, mineral whites to delicate, aromatic and complex reds.

At Spy, our Burgundy selection brings together distinctive wines from carefully chosen producers across the region. Alongside famous appellations and villages, we look for bottles from smaller producers and less celebrated corners of Burgundy that offer character, individuality and genuine value.

 

  • Domaine Simonin Saint-Veran

    Domaine Simonin Saint-Veran

    Domaine Simonin Saint-Veran

    75cl | ABV: 13.5%

    £24.95
    £24.95
  • Tupinier Bautista Mercurey Red Burgundy

    Tupinier Bautista Mercurey Vieilles Vignes

    Sold out

    Tupinier Bautista Mercurey Vieilles Vignes

    75cl | ABV: 13.0%

    £40.95
    £40.95
    Sold out
  • Domaine Simonin Pouilly-Fuisse Aux Charmes

    Domaine Simonin Pouilly-Fuisse Aux Charmes

    Sold out

    Domaine Simonin Pouilly-Fuisse Aux Charmes

    75cl | ABV: 13.5%

    £26.95
    £26.95
    Sold out

Burgundy Buying Guide

Burgundy can seem complicated, but understanding a few fundamentals makes choosing a bottle much easier. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate the region, yet the character of the wines can change enormously from one vineyard and village to the next. Chablis is renowned for precise, mineral Chardonnay, while the Côte d'Or contains many of Burgundy's most celebrated vineyards for both red and white wine. Further south, the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais can offer excellent character and value. Exploring Burgundy is ultimately about discovering the differences between its places and producers.

Red Burgundy or white Burgundy?

Red Burgundy is made predominantly from Pinot Noir and can range from light, fragrant and delicate to structured, savoury and capable of long ageing. White Burgundy is made predominantly from Chardonnay, with styles ranging from the crisp, mineral wines of Chablis to the richer, more textured whites of the Côte de Beaune and Mâconnais. Burgundy is a particularly good example of how the same grape variety can taste remarkably different depending on where it is grown.

How do you choose a Burgundy?

Start with the style you enjoy, then explore the region through its appellations and producers. Village names such as Chablis, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Gevrey-Chambertin and Volnay can provide useful clues, but producer and vineyard are enormously important too. If the famous appellations stretch the budget, neighbouring villages and regional Bourgogne wines from good producers can offer excellent drinking and a rewarding introduction to Burgundy.

Look beyond the famous appellations

Burgundy's most famous villages and vineyards command extraordinary prices, but some of the region's most interesting discoveries can be found elsewhere. The Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais offer excellent wines, while less celebrated villages of the Côte d'Or can provide character without the price attached to the most prestigious names. At Spy, exploring these smaller producers and lesser-known appellations is an important part of finding distinctive Burgundy that represents genuine value.

Burgundy Wine FAQs

What is the difference between Burgundy and Pinot Noir?

Burgundy is a wine region in eastern France, while Pinot Noir is a grape variety. Most red Burgundy is made from Pinot Noir, although where the grapes are grown can have an enormous influence on the finished wine. This is why Pinot Noir from different Burgundy villages and vineyards can taste remarkably different.

What is the difference between Burgundy and Chardonnay?

Burgundy is a wine region, while Chardonnay is a grape variety. Most white Burgundy is made from Chardonnay, including Chablis and the famous white wines of villages such as Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet. The grape can produce very different styles depending on the vineyard, climate and winemaking.

What is the difference between Chablis and Burgundy?

Chablis is part of Burgundy and its wines are made from Chardonnay. Because Chablis lies considerably further north than most of Burgundy's other vineyards, its wines are typically associated with freshness, high acidity and a leaner, more mineral style. It is one of Burgundy's most distinctive expressions of Chardonnay.

Why is Burgundy wine so expensive?

Many Burgundy vineyards are extremely small and production can be limited, while demand for wines from the most famous villages and producers is exceptionally high. This has pushed prices for prestigious Burgundy considerably higher. However, excellent value can still be found in less famous appellations, regional wines and bottles from carefully chosen smaller producers.

Continue exploring distinctive Burgundy

Chablis White Burgundy Pinot Noir Wine Chardonnay Wine Côte de Beaune Cote de Nuits Cote Chalonnaise Maconnais