Level 3 · Wine & Spirits Exam Prep
France: Burgundy
Burgundy's complex hierarchy of Grands Crus, Premiers Crus, villages, and regional wines.
Topics covered
- Côte de Nuits
- Côte de Beaune
- Chablis
- Grand Cru system
Level 3 Study Guide
Burgundy — Appellations and Styles
Quick Revision
- 4 levels: Régionale → Village → Premier Cru → Grand Cru
- Côte de Nuits: red Pinot Noir
- Côte de Beaune: reds + finest whites (Meursault, Puligny)
- Chablis: northernmost, Chardonnay only
- Grand Cru = highest quality tier, smallest vineyards
- Climat = specific named vineyard plot
Key Facts for the Exam
- Burgundy hierarchy (ascending quality): Régionale → Village → Premier Cru → Grand Cru
- Côte d'Or: premium strip divided into Côte de Nuits (mainly red Pinot Noir) and Côte de Beaune (red + white)
- Chablis: northernmost Burgundy; Chardonnay only; Premier Cru and Grand Cru classifications
- Grand Cru vineyards are owned by multiple producers (négociants and domaines) — terroir debate central
- Notable reds: Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Chambolle-Musigny, Pommard, Volnay
- Notable whites: Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet (Côte de Beaune)
Level 3 Exam Tips
- 1.The four-tier classification (Régionale/Village/Premier Cru/Grand Cru) is central to every Burgundy question.
- 2.Côte de Nuits: reds (Pinot Noir). Côte de Beaune: mix of fine reds AND Burgundy's finest whites.
- 3.Chablis is Burgundy — this geographic fact is often tested. Chablis Grand Crus are exceptional.
- 4.The concept of climat (named vineyard site) is unique to Burgundy — individual plots within Premier/Grand Cru.
Common Exam Mistakes
- ✗Saying Côte de Beaune only makes whites — it also has fine reds (Pommard, Volnay)
- ✗Confusing Gevrey-Chambertin (village) with Chambertin (Grand Cru within that village)
- ✗Thinking all Burgundy is expensive — village-level wines offer good value from the same vineyards
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the Burgundy wine classification work?
- Burgundy classifies wines by the vineyard site, not the producer. At the base are Régionale wines (generic Bourgogne label). Next are Village wines, named after the commune. Premier Cru wines come from specific higher-quality vineyard plots. At the top are Grand Cru vineyards — just 33 exist, covering only about 1.5% of all Burgundy's vines. The Grand Cru vineyard name appears on the label without the village name.