Taste Burgundy: A Wine Journey Through Beaune and the Côte d’Or

Burgundy is wine at its most precise. A narrow strip of hillside south of Dijon is divided into hundreds of named vineyard plots — the climats — each with its own reputation, some farmed since medieval monks mapped them. Visiting means walking among names you’ve seen on wine lists and tasting how much a few hundred metres can change a wine.

Beaune as a base

Beaune is compact, walkable and full of cellars. Its landmark is the Hôtel-Dieu, the hospital founded in 1443 with its famous glazed-tile roof, owner of vineyards whose wines are sold each November in the Hospices de Beaune charity auction — held since 1859 and still the region’s big event. From Beaune, the villages of the Côte de Beaune (Pommard, Volnay, Meursault) are minutes away, and the Côte de Nuits (Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin) a short drive north.

How tastings work

Burgundy is a region of small family domaines, and many don’t receive visitors without an appointment — or at all. Ways in:

• Négociant houses in Beaune run cellar visits for walk-ins or easy booking.
• Village caveaux — shared tasting rooms — let you try several producers.
• A local guide opens doors at domaines that only receive visitors through introductions.

Spitting is normal and expected, even among experts. Our tasting etiquette guide covers the rest.

The Route des Grands Crus

The signposted route runs from Dijon to Santenay through the famous villages. By bike, the parallel Voie des Vignes cycle path between Beaune and Santenay is one of the prettiest ways to see the slope — and a sensible one after tastings.

When to go

May–June for green vines and long evenings; September–October for harvest colour; November for the auction weekend (book far ahead). Many domaines are busy and less accessible during the harvest itself.

Getting around

Trains reach Dijon and Beaune from Paris and Lyon. Between villages, you’ll want a guide who drives, a private driver, or a bike — not your own wheel after a morning in the cellars. See getting around wine country without driving.

Questions visitors ask

Is Burgundy expensive to visit?

The top wines are; the trip needn’t be. Village wines and regional appellations offer superb value at the cellar door.

Can I combine Burgundy and Champagne?

Yes — they’re about three hours apart by road. See our Champagne guide.