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PREMIUM

Uncovering Burgundy’s underrated premier cru vineyards

Charles Curtis MW shines a light on Burgundy's premier cru vineyards that punch above their weight and are a fabulous source of brilliant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines

In Burgundy, nothing is simple. According to the website of the Burgundy wine board (BIVB), there are 84 appellations in Burgundy, divided into three categories: seven regional appellations, 44 village appellations and 33 grand cru appellations.

Premiers crus are a sub-category of village appellations; at present, 666 vineyard names (called climats or crus) qualify for the addition of the honorific ‘premier cru’ to the name of a village.

All climats are different and all climats are not created equal. A savvy wine lover will learn to distinguish those offering exceptional quality, exceptional value, or both. The question of value is a relative one, of course.

Roumier’s Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses averages considerably more than £4,000 a bottle, so what constitutes ‘value’?

For this article, we look at ‘grand cru-adjacent’ climats, whose wines sell for a fraction of the price of their illustrious neighbours.

Most of the wines highlighted here can be found for less than £300 a bottle, and some significantly less.


12 wines from Burgundy’s undervalued premier cru vineyards listed below


12 from Burgundy’s undervalued premiers crus


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