burgundy vineyards
Vineyards in Burgundy.
(Image credit: Brasil2 / E+ via Getty Images)

Burgundy is a heartland for top Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines produced across a fascinating patchwork quilt of terroirs.

Vineyard climats in the famous Côte d’Or, including many premier and grand cru sites, were recognised by UNESCO in 2015, but the wider region spans around 28,841 hectares – making up 3% of France’s vineyard area, according to the Bourgogne wine board (BIVB).

As many Burgundy 2024-vintage en primeur wines make their debut, we’ve compiled a short introductory quiz to the region. Can you score 10 out of 10?

Please Note: Question 9. has been updated after wrongly suggesting only Aligoté is believed to be the result of a cross between Gouais Blanc and Pinot Noir. Chardonnay, for example, shares this lineage. Source: Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB).

Chris Mercer
Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.

He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.

Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.

Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.