The first thing to know is that even if you have a vineyard in Burgundy, it does not mean that you can write appellation Bourgogne wine on the label of the wine produced by this property and it does not mean the wine is not good either.

In order to have the 'appellation Bourgogne', the wine has to enter in 4 different categories of selection: by region, by city, by 'Cru' also called 'Climat' (premier Cru, grand Cru, Cru) and last, the criteria of the official rule book of 1936.

There are about 561 wines classified as Premier Cru but the classification is not totally established yet and some wines got the statute of premier Cru pending. There are only 31 wines selected as Grand Cru.

In order to recognize a 'Grand Cru' or a 'premier Cru', you will see written on the label, 'Grand Cru' or 'premier Cru' and the name of the wine.

Sometimes, and especially in the Burgundy wines, the labels are confusing because of old laws that are still effective in the ruling of the wine industry today.

If you like the white wine, you should have a Bourgogne Aligote from la 'Maison Chanpy':

Created in 1720, Maison Champy is the first wine domain opened in Burgundy. This company owned cellars from the XVth century. Champy is very respectful of their vineyards and they still use the traditional techniques to take care of the vines and conceive the wine. Their production is limited for quality purposes

The Bourgogne aligote can be found only in Burgundy. It is a dry wine, delicate with a light taste of Vanilla. You can keep the bottle for 5 years. It is very good as a kir* for happy hour but also with seafood and appetizer.

*The real kir is 1/5 of 'crème de Cassis' and 4/5 of 'Bourgogne aligote'- The 'crème de Cassis' has to be from the Dijon area because the Cassis from Burgundy is stronger than the Cassis from the Loire Valley. Heritier-guyot and Lejay-Lagoutte are good brand of Crème de Cassis.

You will find the Sauvignon in Burgundy but be aware that it is not a Burgundy wine. Sauvignon is good with seafood; a good one is the Sauvignon de Saint Bris

If you like red, you should select a 'Grand Cru' like a Chambertin or a Chambertin Clos de beze, a 'premier Cru' like a vosne Romanee la combe brulee.

The good year for burgundy red wines are 1988 and 1990 and for the burgundy white wines are 1987, 1989 and 1992.