Burgundy & Champagne Awarded UNESCO

                                               Burgundy's unique Cote d'Or ("golden slope")

Now joining the ranks of the world’s most notable wine regions, Burgundy and Champagne have been granted World Heritage status by the United Nations.  Others include Hungary’s Tokaj region, the Douro in Portugal, Bordeaux and the Loire of France, Piedmont in Italy, the Rhine in Germany, along with Sicily’s Pantelleria Island.

While UNESCO lists several criteria for selection, the one criteria that all must have is an “outstanding universal value.”   Burgundy’s wines have had a cult following for some time.  Champagne has long been considered as the world’s best sparkling wine.  So, some may be asking what’s the big deal?  The World Heritage status matters, even for those already-in-the know wine lovers.  It ups the ante for difference.  After all, if there were no differences in wines then why should some cost so much more money?

                       Deep limestone soil has an impact on the nuances of Champagne's taste

A World Heritage wine region reinforces the concept of uniqueness.  It’s a distinction of place.  While there are killer Pinots and Chardonnays produced in California, Oregon, New Zealand and Australia, Burgundian versions of these varietals are incapable of being reproduced anywhere else.  Similarly, the Franciacorta district of Northern Italy is making absolutely jaw-dropping sparkling wines, but they are just a little different from Champagne. The voice of the land speaks.  While wine styles can be copied, the differences from terroir cannot be replicated.   Differences matter, and thus the UNESCO award.

Wine-Knows will be visiting both Burgundy and Champagne in June 2019.  At this time there are a few seats remaining.  

Viva la différence!  

Bucket List Wine Destinations

There are hundreds of wine producing regions in the world, but some are far more compelling than others to visit.   Here are my “Top 10” (listed in alphabetical order by country) which I have based on the following two criteria:  quality of wines and natural beauty.   If you've not been, they are serious contenders for any wine lover's bucket list.

Mendoza, Argentina

                Wines from this area have the highest levels of antioxidants of any wine.

Located at the base of the breathtaking Andes, Mendoza is home to the world’s highest vineyards....and some killer value Malbecs and Torrontes.  

Yarra Valley, Australia    

                                   The Yarra is reminiscent of Napa in the early 1970's

What's not to love about a stunning, bucolic valley of boutique family wineries?  Located a few hours drive from Adelaide, the Yarra should definitely pull at the strings of your heart for a grape escape.

 Wachau Valley, Austria

                                 Storybook villages & Gruner Veltliner await you in the Wachau

The Wachau Valley is a UNESCO world heritage wine region along the banks of the stunning Danube River. 

Burgundy, France   

            The Cote d'Or ("golden hills") produce some of the world's priciest Pinot & Chars

Burgundy is mecca for oenophiles.   It's also home to the world's most famous annual wine auction (the Hospice de Beaune), and one of the world's most famous wine societies (Tastevin du Chevaliers).

Champagne, France  

                There are hundreds of miles of limestone cellars---this one is at Veuve Clicquot's

Much of Champagne was a quarry for Paris' magnificent buildings, resulting in a plethora of underground caves...perfect for storing and aging the region's famous bubbly.

The Rhone Valley, France   

                This Hermitage is ground zero for some of the Rhone's most famous wines

The Rhone Valley is composed of some serious wine real-estate:  L'Hermitage, Chateauneuf du Pape and Cote Rotie.  Provence, also part of the Rhone, is another reason to pack you bag!

Queenstown (Otago), New Zealand   

                                  One of the many out-of-this world vistas in the region

They say that the Otago wine district has some of the world's most beautiful landscapes and I agree.  Think majestic alpine lakes, drop-dead gorgeous vistas and some beautifully crafted whites and reds.

Douro Valley, Portugal  

                              The entire Douro wine region is protected by UNESCO

The Douro Valley is a jaw-dropping area of vertical slopes that were terraced by back-breaking work hundreds of years ago.  Formerly known for Port, the Douro is now producing some world-class table wines at a terrific quality price ratio.

Piedmont, Italy

                  Every hilltop in Piedmont boasts a castle & village for as far as the eye can see

It's hard to believe that the home of Barolo and Barbaresco is also the home of such magnificent scenery.  Piedmont has it all, including one of the world's most famous culinary items, the white truffle.

Tuscany, Italy  

                  Tuscany's scenery has been captivating the hearts of wine lovers for centuries

It's hard for the countryside to compete with such formidable tourist sights as the cities of Florence or Pisa; however, Tuscany steps right up to the plate serving up mesmerizing delights for the eyes and soul.

Burgundy's Gold

                           Cote d'Or:  the World's Most Expensive Vineyards?                       

The Cote d’Or (“golden hills”) is Burgundy’s most famous district. It’s also some of the priciest real estate in the viticultural world, producing the Rolls Royces and Bentleys of Burgundy’reds and whites. These golden set of hills, which begin <200 miles south of Paris, run about 30 miles north to south but are only a mile in width. The district is located between the mustard-renowned Dijon and Beaune (Burgundy’s quintessential medieval gem of a town). 32 of Burgundy’s Grand Cru vineyards are located in the coveted Cote d’Or.

The Cote d’Or is made up of a string of tiny villages at the base of the golden hill range. These villages have become synonymous with word-class wines. (If you’ve never heard of the villages of Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanee or, Puligny-Montrachet then you are a beginner in the Burgundy scene.) The best vineyards of the Cote d’Or are those in middle of the hill range, the kind of “sweet spot” for the best terroir (best soil, best weather, best drainage).

The Cote d’Or is actually split into two sections. The Cote de Nuits is the “money-honey” district. The northernmost 13 miles of the golden hills, the Cote de Nuit is red country (99% pinot noir). Grand Crus include the some of the most elite wines on the globe such as La Romanee Conti, La Tache and Clos Vougeot. It’s no accident that 24 of the 33 Grand Cru vineyards of all of Burgundy are positioned in the celebrated Cote d’Or.

The Cote de Beaune, the southern section of the Cote d’Or, is home to the planet’s most famous Chardonnay (7 of Burgundy’s white Grand Crus are located in the Cote de Beaune). While the Cote de Beaune is famous for its whites, 70% of its production is devoted to Pinot. If I had a last meal, a Grand Cru white from Corton- Charlemagne or Montrachet would be included; Corton is my favorite red Grand Cru from the Cote de Beaune.

All of the participants on this Fall’s tour to France will visit wineries in both the Cote de Nuits as well as the Cote de Beaune of Burgundy’s Cote d’Or. You’re in for a “golden” experience.