In Burgundy, during the middle ages, the church ruled and owned vast tracts of land, it was the lot of the monks to work the land. The Cistercian monks tended and planted vineyards around their monasteries and kept detailed notes as to conditions, temperatures, terroir where vines flourished or not. In essence theirs were the first harvest notes, they not only codified winegrowing, but turned it into an extremely profitable trade. Their written legacy contributed to the preservation of the terrior of the Bourgogne winegrowing region and for the demarcation of the Burgundy crus. The strip of land for Pinot Noir – just 30km long & 2km wide – is known as Côte D’or – or Slope of Gold. Pinot Noir was used for the sacrament wine in masses and as such had to be of the finest quality.

The Dukes of Bourgogne (Burgundy) from the 14th century onwards were influential in the production and trade of wine. Philip the Bold issued an edict in 1395 which provided for the safeguarding of the production of quality wine. It involved two key decisions concerning the wine varietals to be cultivated in the Bourgogne wine-growing region: It banned the making of Gamay, a popular every-day wine which the dukes felt would compromise the quality image of the Bourgogne wines; and it recommended the use of Pinot Noir.

Although Pinot Noir offered lower yields its results are more complex and exquisite wines, and these were exported outside the Bourgogne region. Philip the Bold of Burgundy was a big fan! The edict gave an enormous boost to the region and improved the quality of its wine. As its influence grew, Bourgogne wines were being served at the tables of the King of France and the Popes in Avignon. This prestigious beverage was a powerful political asset and the Dukes knew how to use it. In 1429, Philip the Good founded the chivalric Order of the Golden Fleece in Bruges, to help the spread of Catholicism, and Bourgogne wines were the favoured drink of its knights. Similarly, this elite wine flowed bountifully at the Feast of the Pheasant, a major diplomatic event also hosted by Philip the Good. From there, Burgundy wines gradually conquered all of European high society, from the nobility to the bourgeoisie, opening up some formidable trade opportunities.

During the French Revolution (1789-99) the National Constituent Assembly seized the properties and lands of the church & nobility and issued assignats (paper money) against these properties which were now known as biens nationaux (national goods). The lands were sold off by the state creating the independently owned and run vineyard model which still survives today. The Napoleonic inheritance laws resulted in the continued subdivision of these most precious of vineyards, to the effect that some growers own only a row or two of vines.

In 1855, Dr Jules Lavalle published Bordeaux Wine Official Classification, which included an unofficial classification of the Burgundy vineyards. This classification was formalised in 1861 and consisted of three classes, with the first class vinyards given the title GRAND CRU appellations d’origine contrôlées (AOC).

Vin de Table: the house wine, unassuming everyday drinking wines, known for affordability. The quality in relation to price is actually quite high. Does not list the area where the grapes are grown.
Vin de Pays: country wine – says where the wine is produced, and indicated the grapes used which ensures the wine meets the qualities of the region.
Vin Délimité de Qualité Superieure (VDQS): the least know of the 4 designations making up just 2% of the French market, it’s a step up from Vin de Pays in price and quality.
Appelation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC): the highest designation with the most restrictions and requirements. Because it is tasted before being given the designation no wine is guaranteed the AOC designation two years in a row.