Burgundy is bewildering, said Joseph Ward in The Washington Post. This French wine region produces some of the world’s best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. But even wine lovers familiar with the byways of Bordeaux, Napa Valley, or the Rhône “throw up their hands when given a Burgundy list.”
Unlike Bordeaux wines that are classified by château, those of Burgundy are classified by village and/or vineyard. Translation: There is only one Château Petrus in Bordeaux, for instance, but many eminent Burgundy vineyards share the name Chambertin. The challenge is finding which are the very best. Here is a guide to the five levels of the Burgundy pyramid, from the moderately priced good (Bourgogne) to the very expensive great (Grand Cru).
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