Burgundy has long been recognized as the world’s most prestigious wine region. It is also home to eight of the world’s ten most expensive wines.

But does prestigious wine mean long ageing? Quite yes, but not all Burgundy wines have the same status, and not all are calibrated to be kept for the same length of time.

Burgundy, a varied region

Burgundy boasts 100 protected designations of origin, including 36 “grand cru” climats. Collectors and connoisseurs of fine wines will turn to these prestigious appellations, such as Romanée-Conti, Chambertin, Clos Vougeot, La Romanée, Corton Charlemagne… These crus, very rare and borrowed from speculation, constitute the crème de la crème of Burgundy and therefore of wines from all over the world.

However, as not everyone can afford to drink only the great Burgundy vintages, more novice consumers will turn to the much more affordable premier crus, communal or regional appellations.

On-call times vary by appellation

Naturally, the more prestigious the appellation, the longer it will keep.

Côte de Nuits appellations such as Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-St-Denis, Vosne-Romanée or Chambolle-Musigny have a good ageing potential, of at least a decade, and up to more than fifty years for the best Premier Crus.

On the Côte de Beaune side, we find a good number of Chardonnay white wines, such as Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet, which have great ageing potential, just like the Côte de Nuits wines.

Smaller appellations, such as AOC Côte de Nuits Villages, Marsannay, Saint-Romain, Auxey-Duresses or Côte Chalonnaise with Mercurey and Givry, can be enjoyed more quickly, and will be at their best during the first five years.

A climate that shapes vintages

Burgundy has a continental climate, which varies greatly from vintage to vintage. As a result, each year’s wines offer different characteristics, affecting their ageing potential.

For example, 2005 and 2008 are vintages that require long ageing (one because of the tannins and the other because of the acidity of the wines). The 1990, 2015 and 2010 vintages are also great years.

Vintages such as 2006, 2007, 2014 and 2017 are fruitier, so can be enjoyed in their youth.