The climates in Burgundy?

The particularity of Burgundy is to have fragmented plots. These parcels are precisely surveyed and called “climates” in Burgundy. Not to be confused with “lieux-dits”, climats express the link between a named place and a very specific terroir.

In other words, in Burgundy, a “Climat” is a wine-growing terroir combining plot, grape variety and know-how.

A term dating from the 16th century

The word “Climate” appears for the first time in writings in the 16th century. It is then synonymous with locality. But, a century later, the use of this term changes.

The word “climat” now refers to the place and characterizes the differences and hierarchy between the wines of the Burgundy coast.

Les Pucelles in Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru, Les Amoureuses Chambolle Musigny Premier Cru… These names correspond to localities or parcels of vines that producers mention on their labels. Here, these examples are indeed “climats” and designate the viticultural terroir of a wine.

In Burgundy, there are several thousand climates. These generally represent the best plots in the village.

However, Burgundy has a very specific hierarchy when it comes to defining or classifying a wine:

• Simple climats (with communal appellations)

• First cru of Burgundy

• Burgundy grand cru

Simple climates

Simple climates are undeniably the most numerous. Not necessarily visible on the labels of the bottles and less famous than the first growths, the wines from these climates must justify a minimum natural alcoholic degree, higher than that of the wines of the municipal appellation from which they come.

In addition, if the name of the climat is referenced on the bottle, the inscription must not exceed half of the appellation.