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The art of versatility: Bourgogne's wines
In part two of our French wine feature, Chris Orr uncovers the charm of Bourgogne’s wines, prized for their effortless pairing with a wide range of dishes and social occasions
For centuries, Bourgogne has been woven into the imagination of wine lovers across the globe. Its vineyards are among the most celebrated worldwide, producing wines admired for their elegance, finesse and capacity to tell the story of their terroir. The region is home to some of the wine world’s most sought-after names, but it also offers a wealth of delightful, easy-to-enjoy everyday wines. So whether you’re sharing a bottle at a casual buffet, raising a glass over Sunday lunch or exploring new flavours with friends, Bourgogne has a wine for every mood and table.
You may well have grown up calling the region Burgundy, but today the vineyards proudly embrace their original French name: Bourgogne. Look at the label and you’ll see it everywhere – from Bourgogne Côte d’Or and Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise to Crémant de Bourgogne. Reclaiming the name is not simply about vocabulary, though. It’s a way of reaffirming the region’s identity as home to some of France’s most iconic vineyards, where every slope and stone has something to say.
Bourgogne is not just a place – in wine terms, it’s all about the sensation, the memory, the experience. It’s the laughter that rises over a long, leisurely lunch, the comfort of a familiar recipe shared with friends, the simple pleasure of opening a bottle that fits the moment perfectly. You’ll see these moments come alive in the recipes and pairings on these pages – simple, seasonal dishes that show just how effortlessly Bourgogne fits into everyday life.
Whether it’s a simple roast chicken lunch on a Sunday afternoon accompanied with a glass of Chalonnaise; a summer picnic with nothing more than a baguette, some saucisson, a wedge of aged cheese and a chilled bottle of Crémant de Bourgogne; or a quiet weeknight when all you want is something to say ‘well done’ at the end of a particularly strenuous day. All these are moments when a glass of Bourgogne, red or white, can make the difference between an ordinary day and an extraordinary day.
Crucially, each wine from Bourgogne tells its own story: of soil and slope, of the people who tend the vines, and of moments shared with friends and family that it helps create.
In Epineuil, for example, small vineyards produce light, juicy reds full of charm. Chill them slightly and they’re perfect for impromptu dinners, for grilled fish or charcuterie, for evenings that start casually and stretch into lively conversation. Further south, the Côte Chalonnaise is the friendly heart of Bourgogne – home to wines that are generous, versatile and deeply food-friendly. A white from Rully or Montagny pairs beautifully with seared scallops or roast poultry, while a red from Mercurey will bring extra warmth to slow-cooked stews or even a simple, comforting shepherd’s pie.
The Côte d’Or is the heart of Bourgogne, offering both approachable wines and a wide range of styles to suit every palate. It is renowned for elegant, structured pinot noir that combines bright red fruit flavours, like cherry and raspberry, with subtle earthy, spicy and mineral notes. These wines are exceptionally food-friendly, pairing beautifully with a variety of dishes – from a simple roast to richer fare such as duck confit, earthy vegetables or lentils.
Meanwhile, the Côtes d’Auxerre lies in the northern part of Bourgogne, offering a fresh and approachable take on the region’s wines. Known primarily for chardonnay, the area’s rolling hills and cool breezes produce bright, lively wines with fresh fruit character and subtle minerality. These wines are wonderfully versatile at the table, their crisp acidity and delicate richness complementing a wide range of lighter and richer dishes alike.
For moments that call for a little sparkle, Crémant de Bourgogne offers a wonderfully bright taste of Bourgogne’s charm. This is a celebration in a bottle, whether you’re toasting a milestone or simply making Tuesday feel special.
If Bourgogne seems rich and varied, that’s because it truly is – in every sense. The region stretches like a necklace of vineyards across eastern France, each link shaped by its own soil, slope and story. Over centuries, these nuances have been recognised in a system of appellations that each come with their own rules, regulations and, importantly, sense of place and personality. Think of it as a gentle hierarchy, from broad and accessible to rare and precious.
At the foundation are the Régionale appellations. Wines that are simply labelled Bourgogne Rouge (red, from pinot noir) or Bourgogne Blanc (white, from chardonnay) can come from vineyards across the region. They are the perfect introduction: bright, balanced, and endlessly versatile. These are the wines that welcome you to Bourgogne’s table.
Step up to the villages and you begin to taste personality. Yet even here, the hierarchy isn’t about status. It’s about place. Two neighbouring plots divided by a low stone wall can yield wines of a different character. That’s the magic of Bourgogne – the way geology, climate and human touch combine to create infinite variety. The region may be known for its legendary Grands Crus such as Romanée-Conti, Montrachet and Musigny, but it’s equally defined by its hidden gems – wines that are more accessible, yet full of character. Each one brings its own personality: refined yet welcoming, timeless yet alive.
Bourgogne’s beauty lies in its balance between sophistication and simplicity. And you don’t need to travel to Beaune or Dijon to experience it; you can find its wines on the shelves of good retailers across the UK. Independent merchants are especially passionate about Bourgogne, curating selections that reflect its diversity, from crisp whites perfect for serving with seafood to supple reds that shine alongside juicy roast meats or bowls of comforting, hearty pasta.
Because wine, at its heart, is not about status or study – it’s
about connection. It’s about slowing down, sharing a meal and
finding joy in the glass before you. Bourgogne captures that spirit
perfectly. So next time you raise a glass, make it Bourgogne. Not
for its reputation, but because it feels right: real, joyful and made
for moments that matter.
And if you’re tempted to explore further, there’s no better way to understand Bourgogne than to walk its vineyards, taste its food and meet the people who bring it to life. With easy connections from the UK whether by flight or Eurostar to Paris followed by a high-speed train to Dijon, or via a scenic drive through the French countryside – a visit to Bourgogne is well within reach.
For more information, visit bourgogne-wines.com or head to @feelingbourgogne on Instagram.
Photos by Angela Dukes; BIVB / Michel Joly; BIVB / Lukam