White Burgundy - How to Find the Value!

Once upon a time, Burgundy wasn’t just a wine region—it was a kingdom

The Duchy of Burgundy was one of the most powerful territories in medieval Europe, stretching across modern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. While the kingdom itself is long gone and it is now a region of France, its influence lives on - most famously in its wines.

Burgundy is known as the spiritual home of the Chardonnay (and the Pinot Noir) grape.
While you can find Chardonnay from Sonoma to New Zealand, nowhere in the world does the grape express itself in so many different ways as it does in Burgundy. From the steely, crisp Chablis to the rich, creamy Meursault - each vineyard, village and winemaker craft a unique interpretation.

But White Burgundy can also be very rare to find and expensive - very expensive. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend thousands to drink great wine from this region. Let’s explore what makes Burgundy special, where the best wines come from and how you can enjoy world-class Chardonnay without breaking the bank.

So, Why Is White Burgundy So Special?

Sense of Place: Every Vine Has a Story
Burgundy is a patchwork of tiny vineyards, each with its own unique soil, microclimate and winemaking traditions. The monks of the Middle Ages painstakingly mapped out which vineyards made the best wines, a system that still defines Burgundy today.

That’s why Burgundy labels focus on where the grapes are grown, rather than just the name of the producer. The same grape - Chardonnay - can taste radically different depending on where it comes from:
- Chablis – Crisp, fresh and flinty at Village level, becoming a little creamier and more intense with Premier and Grand Cru.
- Meursault – Rich, creamy, often intense fruit with subtle flavors that remind us of hazelnut and almond.
- Puligny-Montrachet – Elegant, precise and floral.
- Saint-Romain – Fresh, bright, and mineral-driven.

The Winemakers: A Thousand Different Visions of Chardonnay
In Burgundy, no two winemakers are exactly alike. Even within the same village, two producers can take grapes from the same vineyard and create totally different wines. Some winemakers embrace oak aging, others focus on purity and freshness. Some favor a lean, mineral-driven style, while others craft richer, more opulent wines.

That’s what makes Burgundy so exciting - each bottle is a reflection of both the land and the person who made it.

Where to Find the Best White Burgundies
The Grand Crus are seen as the pinnacles of White Burgundy. "Cru" referring to a place and "Grand" as the best. The Grand Cru were historically, highly regarded and got officially recognized in the 1930's. If you’re looking to try a Chardonnay that could be deemed the best of the best, these vineyards produce some of the most coveted white wines in the world:
- Le Montrachet - The king of White Burgundy, powerful and complex.
- Chevalier-Montrachet - More refined, elegant and precise.
- Bâtard-Montrachet - Rich, full-bodied and opulent.

Wines from these Grand Cru sites can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per bottle, but they represent the ultimate expression of Chardonnay. One of the skills of hunting for great wine is to find a producer that is "under the radar," that people have yet to hear about - to find them before they get main-stream and the prices rise. The other way is to find the "Village" wines that these winemakers produce, as here we find great winemaking at a great price!

Famous producers to know- warning: these wines can be rare and expensive!
- Domaine Leflaive (Puligny-Montrachet)
- Coche-Dury (Meursault)
- Ramonet (Chassagne-Montrachet)
- Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey (Puligny & Chassagne)
- Roulot (Meursault)
- Dauvissat (Chablis)
- Raveneau (Chablis)

Premier Cru & Village-Level Wines: The Smart Buys
If you want incredible quality but aren’t ready to drop a fortune, Premier Cru wines from top villages offer a similar experience at a fraction of the cost. Great Premier Cru and Village-level wines come from Meursault, Chablis, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet and many more sub-regions all over Burgundy.

Hidden Gems: Affordable White Burgundy
Not all white Burgundy requires a hefty price tag. These villages offer outstanding value and are perfect for discovering the region:

- Chablis – The northernmost part of Burgundy

- Saint-Véran & Pouilly-Fuissé – Southern part of the region, in the Mâconnais.

- Montagny & Rully – two of the Côte Chalonnaise’s best kept secrets.

- Saint-Romain – A Cool-Climate sub-region located near to Meursault.

How to Find & Enjoy White Burgundy

- Set a budget. If you’re looking for everyday drinking, aim for $25 to $50 and explore the lesser-known regions. If you have a higher budget then source some great Meursault, Puligny or Chassagne-Montrachet.
- Try different styles. Want something crisp? Go for Chablis. Love richer wines? Meursault or Pouilly-Fuissé might be your thing.
- Check the vintage. Burgundy’s weather varies wildly. Great recent years include 2019, 2020, and 2021.
- Serve it right. It is best enjoyed slightly chilled but not ice-cold and can even benefit from decanting.

- Finally, a great tip is to find a great boutique wine shop such as the Springfield Wine Exchange, where we can source the right White Burgundy for you! Whether you want to splurge on a Montrachet or grab a delicious $30 find, we’ve got you covered.

We Find the Right Bottle for you and at the Right Price!