Red Burgundy is, for many wine lovers, the ultimate expression of Pinot Noir. Nowhere else does this notoriously difficult grape achieve such complexity, elegance, and emotional depth. From the power of Gevrey-Chambertin to the silk of Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy's Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune produce red wines that can be truly transcendent.
What Makes Red Burgundy Special
Red Burgundy's magic lies in the concept of terroir, the idea that wine expresses the unique character of the place where it is grown. In Burgundy, vineyards separated by a single path can produce wines of dramatically different character. This extraordinary sensitivity to site, combined with centuries of viticultural knowledge, creates wines of unparalleled individuality and complexity.
Key Villages of the Cote de Nuits
Gevrey-Chambertin
The largest and most powerful of the Cote de Nuits villages. Gevrey produces structured, muscular Pinot Noir with dark fruit, spice, and remarkable ageing potential. The village is home to nine Grand Cru vineyards, including the legendary Chambertin and Chambertin-Clos de Beze.
Vosne-Romanee
Often considered the finest village in Burgundy, Vosne-Romanee produces wines of extraordinary richness and complexity. The Grand Cru vineyards here, including Romanee-Conti, La Tache, and Richebourg, are among the most coveted in the wine world. Even village-level Vosne offers a glimpse of this terroir's magic.
Chambolle-Musigny
If Gevrey is power, Chambolle is silk. These are the most elegant wines of the Cote de Nuits, with floral aromatics, fine tannins, and a beguiling delicacy. The Grand Cru Musigny is considered one of the most beautiful wines in existence, while Les Amoureuses is the most celebrated Premier Cru in Burgundy.
Nuits-Saint-Georges
A large and diverse appellation producing wines of structure and depth. The best Premier Cru vineyards, such as Les Saint-Georges and Les Vaucrains, produce powerful wines that reward patience. Nuits-Saint-Georges often offers better value than its more famous neighbours.
Key Villages of the Cote de Beaune
Pommard
The most structured reds of the Cote de Beaune, Pommard produces dark, tannic wines that need time to reveal their charm. The Premier Cru vineyards Les Rugiens and Les Epenots are the finest, producing wines of considerable power and longevity.
Volnay
The counterpoint to Pommard, Volnay produces the most elegant reds of the Cote de Beaune. These are wines of finesse and perfume, with red fruit, violet, and spice. The Premier Cru vineyards Clos des Ducs and Taillepieds are standouts.
Vintage Guide for Current Drinking
For immediate enjoyment, look to 2017 for approachable, fruit-forward wines. The 2015 vintage offers richness and generosity, while 2016 provides more classical structure. For those who prefer wines with some bottle age, 2012 and 2014 are drinking beautifully. At Mosse and Mosse, we focus on wines that are genuinely ready to drink, taking the uncertainty out of choosing the right vintage.
Food Pairings
Red Burgundy is one of the most versatile food wines. Classic pairings include coq au vin, beef bourguignon, roast duck, and game birds. Lighter village wines work beautifully with salmon, tuna, and mushroom dishes. The key is to match the weight and intensity of the wine with the richness of the food.
"It's all about what's in the bottle; that's important to me."
Tim Mosse, Mosse and Mosse