Burgundy

Burgundy understands that great wine and great food develop together. This region has cultivated both for centuries, creating a gastronomic culture that influences chefs and winemakers worldwide.

The wines of Burgundy command respect and often staggering prices. Unlike Bordeaux's large estates, Burgundy's vineyards fragment into small plots, some barely larger than a garden. These parcels, called climats, are recognized by UNESCO as cultural treasures. The same grape variety — Pinot Noir or Chardonnay — planted just meters apart can produce dramatically different wines.

The Route des Grands Crus runs south from Dijon through the most famous wine villages: Gevrey-Chambertin, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges. The stone walls dividing the vineyards have marked quality distinctions since medieval monks first classified these slopes. The Romanée-Conti vineyard, producing wine that can cost thousands per bottle, lies unmarked except for a simple cross.

Beaune serves as Burgundy's wine capital. The Hospices de Beaune, a medieval hospital with its distinctive geometric roof, hosts the region's most famous wine auction each November. Wine shops and tasting rooms line the streets, offering opportunities to explore the region's diversity without driving the vineyard roads.

The food of Burgundy matches its wines. Boeuf bourguignon originated here, the wine-braised beef that became a French standard. Coq au vin, eggs in red wine sauce, and escargots in parsley-garlic butter all represent Burgundian tradition. The region's mustard, produced in Dijon since the 13th century, appears in countless preparations.

Beyond the famous Route des Grands Crus, Burgundy offers other treasures. The Abbey of Fontenay, a complete Cistercian monastery, provides insight into medieval monastic life. The hilltop town of Vézelay begins one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. Cluny preserves remains of what was once the largest church in Christendom.

The canals of Burgundy offer a different perspective entirely. Houseboats drift through countryside locked away from roads, passing villages that seem untouched by time. This slow form of travel suits a region that has always valued taking time to appreciate what matters.