Vin de Bourgogne Wines: Classification, 10 Best Bottles (2024)

“Bourgogne” is the French term for Burgundy. But, on a wine label, the term “Vin de Bourgogne” encompasses all Regional appellation wines, while “Grand Vin de Bourgogne” denotes Grand Cru, Premier Cru, and Village appellation wines.

Since 2002, the Bourgogne wine board made it compulsory for the producer to mention the terms on the wine label.  Let’s explore the various Vin de Bourgogne wine appellations, the top 10 Vin de Bourgogne bottles in 2022, and some mouth-watering wine pairings.

Vin de Bourgogne: Wine Classifications And Appellations

The huge variety of Vin de Bourgogne regional wines fall under six Bourgogne appellations:

• Bourgogne AOC
• Bourgogne Aligote
• Bourgogne Mousseux
• Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains
• Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire
• Crémant de Bourgogne
• Other Bourgogne Appellations

A. Bourgogne AOC 

“Bourgogne” is a catch-all classification that covers all the Burgundy wines for red (Borgogne Rouge), white (Bourgogne Blanc), or rose (Borgogne Rose or Clairet). 

They can carry the name of the vineyard (or a group of vineyards) without the district, village name, or the name of the grape variety it’s produced from. 

The Bourgogne AOC has 13 subregions.

• Bourgogne Chitry
• Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise
• Bourgogne Côte dOr 
• Bourgogne Côte Saint-Jacques
• Bourgogne Côtes d'Auxerre
• Bourgogne Côtes du Couchois
• Bourgogne Coulanges-La-Vineuse
• Bourgogne Épineuil
• Bourgogne Hautes Côte de Beaune
• Bourgogne Hautes Côte de Nuits
• Bourgogne La Chapelle Notre-Dame
• Bourgogne Montrecul
• Bourgogne Tonnerre

On the wine label, you may also find the name of these four vineyard sites:

• Côte de Saint-Jacques (Joigny)
• Le Chapitre (Chenove)
• La Chapelle Notre Dame (Ladoix-Serrigny) 
• Montrecul (Dijon)

B. Bourgogne Aligote

The Bourgogne Aligoté appellation was created in the 20th century to classify dry white wine bottles made from the Aligoté. However, the AOC regulations allow 15% Chardonnay.

Bourgogne Aligote wines are typically unoaked, light, and acidic in style.

C. Bourgogne Mousseux

1943 marks the origin of the Bourgogne Mousseux appellation that covers sparkling red wines. However, some wines look more like rosé. 

Primarily, Bourgogne Mousseux wines are made from Pinot Noir and Gamay - perfectly suited for Burgundy’s climate. 

But Aligoté, Chardonnay, Gamay de Bouze, Gamay de Chaudenay, Melon de Bourgogne, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris can make 10% of the blend.

The wines have lively bubbles with a strong red fruit taste and spicy hints.

D. Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains

Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains is a Bourgogne appellation for red and rose cuvees of Gamay and Pinot Noir.

Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains are produced in the entire area, including:

• 91 Côte d'Or communes 
• 85 communes of Rhône (separate from the Rhône wine region)
• 154 communes of Saône and Loire
• 54 communes of Yonne

Since Côte dOr and Yonne have very little Gamay, most Passe-Tout-Grains are produced from grapes sourced from Saône et Loire.

The wines must contain more than 30% Pinot Noir and over 15% Gamay. The blend can also comprise less than 15% Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, and Pinot Gris.

These reds and roses have strong fruity notes.

E. Coteaux Bourguignons  

Known as Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire until 2011, Coteaux Bourguignons AOC comprises generic white, red, and rose wines.

The red wines are predominantly Pinot Noir and Gamay, with some lesser-known red wine grapes like César. The blend may also contain 15% Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris.

Coteaux Bourguignons white wines are made from Chardonnay, Aligoté, Melon de Bourgogne, and Pinot Blanc.

F. Crémant de Bourgogne

Crémant de Bourgogne is an appellation for sparkling wines, white and rose, primarily made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varieties from Methode Traditionelle.

The rosé wines are produced mainly from Pinot Noir, with small quantities of Gamay. 

Like Champagne, white Crémant de Bourgogne wines have two distinct styles:

• Blanc de Blancs: Made from white grapes like Chardonnay, Aligoté, Melon de Bourgogne, and Pinot Blanc
• Blanc de Noirs: Made from black grapes like Gamay and Pinot Noir

Crémant de Bourgogne wines range from brut (dry) to sec (medium-sweet.)

G. Other Vin de Bourgogne Appellations

The wines from these two appellations also carry the “Vin de Bourgogne” term on their label.

• Macon AOC: It includes the regional white, red, and rose wines from the Maconnais region. 
• Petit Chablis: It classifies dry white wines produced from Chardonnay in Chablis and the surrounding communes. 

Petit Chablis covers the vineyard plots left out in the standard Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru, and Chablis Grand Cru titles.

Now, let’s explore some great wines, from Gevrey Chambertin to Charmes Chambertin.

10 Fine Vin de Bourgogne Wines To Buy In 2024 

Here are some high quality Vin de Bourgogne wines that showcase the excellence of the regional producers.

• 2014 Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Bourgogne Aligote Sous Chatelet
• 2010 Domaine Jean Yves Bizot Bourgogne La Chapitre Rouge
• 2013 Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits Blanc by DRC
• 2016 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue Bourgogne Blanc
• 2010 Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Bourgogne Rouge
• 2017 Yann Durieux - Recrue des Sens Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes-de-Nuits 'Jeannot'
• 2005 Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc
• 2015 Domaine Faiveley Bourgogne Rouge
• 2018 Domaine A.F. Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits
• 2016 Louis Jadot Couvent des Jacobins Bourgogne Pinot Noir

1. 2014 Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Bourgogne Aligote Sous Chatelet ($8,169)

This Bourgogne Aligote wine has fine acidity, delicate floral and citrus nose, and a full-bodied palate. 

2. 2010 Domaine Jean Yves Bizot Bourgogne La Chapitre Rouge ($2,888)

This Domaine Jean Yves is an unfiltered wine loved for its precision, purity, and aromatic finesse. The nose has a seductive red fruit aroma.

3. 2013 Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits Blanc by DRC ($1,387)

Wine lovers will enjoy its lovely, well-layered subtle cream and spicy palate. The white wine ends with a saline finish. 

4. 2016 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue Bourgogne Blanc ($1,338)

This Chambolle Musigny wine made from the Chardonnay grape has Mayfair, toasted marshmallow, mineral, and delicate oak aromas followed by a long and lingering finish on the palate.

5. 2010 Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Bourgogne Rouge ($488)

This vintage Bourgogne Rouge is a beautifully aromatic red wine with red berry, earth, and floral aromas. The palate has a distinct minerality and a lively acidity.

6. 2017 Yann Durieux - Recrue des Sens Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes-de-Nuits 'Jeannot' ($457)

It is a youthful Bourgogne wine with rose petal, cherry, violet, and blueberry notes. The palate has a brilliant acidity.

7. 2005 Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc ($272)

Ripe fruit notes dominate the juicy yet complex palate. The nose gives off the chalk, lemon sherbet, mild sulfur, and oyster shell nose. 

8. 2015 Domaine Faiveley Bourgogne Rouge ($45)

It is a bright, fruity red wine with strawberry and orange peel aromas. The medium-bodied palate has bright acidity and a clean finish.

9. 2018 Domaine A.F. Gros Bourgogne Hautes Côte de Nuits ($42)

It is a robust and velvety Côte de Nuits wine with an intense bouquet of blackcurrant, blackberry, and musk. The grippy tannins balance the firm acidity of the wine.

10. 2016 Louis Jadot Couvent des Jacobins Bourgogne Pinot Noir ($23)

The nose gives off the cherry, plum, and smoky aromas, followed by a dry palate with spice nuances and fine tannins.

How To Serve Vin de Bourgogne 

Unlike Grand Cru wines and Premier Cru wines, Vin de Bourgogne wines are best drunk young when they’re fruity and youthful. 

Here’s the perfect serving temperature for these Burgundy wine styles:

• 6oC-8oC for sparkling wines
• 10oC-12°C for lively and fruity white and rose wines
• 16oC-17°C for Bourgogne red wines

Red wine should be served in a wide-bottomed wine glass with Gruyere, Roquefort, blue cheese, and classic meat dishes.

White, rose, and sparkling wines are best served in a narrow bottom glass with appetizers, creamy desserts, charcuterie, or seafood.

Enjoy A Glass Of Lively Vin de Bourgogne Wine!

Vin de Bourgogne wines are youthful, aromatic, and fruity, perfect for adding a kick to your classic cocktails.

If you’re looking for a finer Grand Cru or Premier Cru Burgundy wine for your wine cellar, there are some great wines out there.

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