A wine lover in Burgundy

Burgundy is one of the most coveted wine regions in the world. Here, I dare say, you'll find the finest expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. These two take center stage everywhere, but thanks to the microclimates, different soils, exhibitions, and winemaking philosophies, Burgundy is still a diverse region. Sometimes, you can't see the forest for the trees. That's why I've compiled a list of my favorite spots to help you navigate this fantastic wine region. You'll find the best wine hotspots, restaurants, hotels, and wineries in Burgundy in this article.

By the way, we already made a podcast about Burgundy in 2020 and if you don't feel like reading, we've also incorporated the tips into the podcast episode: a wine fan in Burgundy .

You can find even more bar and restaurant tips around Dijon in this blog , written by Jette, who currently lives and works in Burgundy.

Table of contents

• Restaurants
• Visits
• Samples
• Wineries visited
• To sleep
• Tips
• Read more about Burgundy

Do you believe it? Then you can also use this Google Maps map . It also includes tips for Dijon.

Restaurants

My Cuisine (Beaune)

The moment you step inside, you're overwhelmed: everything here is fantastic. It secretly looks a bit like the Greek restaurant on the corner, but it's anything but. They serve authentic, local French cuisine; everything is written on chalkboards, and they don't have a menu. The only menu you do get is the wine list, and it's truly impressive. You'll find all the big names from Burgundy on it at very reasonable prices. The region's winemakers also love to come here to enjoy their fine wines. More information is available on the Ma Cuisine website .

La Rotisserie du Chambertin (Gevrey Chambertin)

We stumbled upon this place by chance. Excellent French cuisine and a fantastic wine list. We drank the Gevrey Chambertin from La Rotisserie , and it was the highlight of the evening. A must-visit in Gevrey Chambertin.

The Soufflot (Meursault)

This place had been on my list for ages, and now we finally had the chance to have lunch here. The cuisine is a bit more modern, so expect something a little different than the chicken, egg, or ham terrine you see everywhere on the menu. The decor is modern and warm, with an entire wall reserved solely for wine cabinets. More information is available on the Le Soufflot website .

Le Benaton Restaurant (Beaune)

Oddly enough, this is the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Beaune. The food is exquisite and typical of a Michelin-starred restaurant, but the service is wonderfully formal and sometimes a bit distant. It's a nice place, a bit formal, but the wine and food are definitely worth a detour.

Le Maufoux (Beaune)

This is the little brother of Le Soufflot in Meursault. Both the menu and the wine list share many similarities, though there are a few differences. The highlight was the Domaine Robert Chevalier Nuits-Saint Georges 1er Cru Les Chaignots 2014, which was perfectly drinkable.

Wine Not (Chablis)

The place where everyone from Chablis, and especially Patrick Piuze, loves to drink. A good, affordable wine list.

Auberge du Vieux Pressoir (Chenôve)

Casual, no-frills French cuisine. The wine list is very reasonably priced, featuring some lovely older vintages from lesser-known producers.

Le Cellier Volnaysien (Volnay)

To be honest, we haven't been here yet, but Le Cellier Volnaysien deserves a spot on the list. They also have a shop, so be warned.

Visits

Avintures (Beaune)

If you're in Beaune, stop by Avintures . It's a small wine shop run by a passionate man who knows a great deal about the (new) wineries of Burgundy and the surrounding area.

Clos de Vougeot (Vougeot)

This is a must-see if you're in Burgundy. The vineyard and its Château de Clos de Vougeot were founded in the 12th century by monks from Cîteaux Abbey .

Athenaeum (Beaune)

This shop is one of the reasons Le Club des Vins exists. It's a wine nerd's paradise with a huge selection of wine books, posters, wines, and everything else you can think of.

Samples

Where can I go for a tasting in Burgundy? This is a question we regularly get at Le Club HQ. Unlike many other wine regions, opening doors in Burgundy is sometimes a little more difficult.

Wineries visited

• Domaine Sirugue (Vosne Romanée)
• Hospice de Nuits-Saint-Georges (Nuits-Saint-Georges)
• Berthenet (Montagny-lés-Buxy)
• Domaine Raquillet (Mercurey)
• Les Champs de Thémis, Xavier Moissenet (Bouzeron)
• Domaine Huguenot (Marsannay-La-Côte)
• Domaine Chopin et fils (Nuits-Saint-Georges)
• Chevillon-Chezeaux (Nuits-Saint-Georges)
• Edouard-Delaunay (l'Etang-Vergy)
• Domaine Bzikot (Puligny Montrachet)
• Bouard-Bonnefoy (Chassagne-Montrachet)
• Domaine Sylvain Langoureau (Saint-Aubin)
• Alain Gras (Saint-Romain)
• Patrick Piuze (Chablis)

To sleep

Hotel Alfred (Beaune)

Hotels in Beaune are usually either expensive or basic. I've finally found my new hangout: Hotel Alfred Beaune . Right in the city center, with excellent rooms and a cozy living room on the ground floor where you can easily share a bottle with your wine crew.

Abbey of Maizières (Beaune)

Granted, you're paying for the ambiance here, but it's worth it. You'll be sleeping in a beautiful old monastery with spacious rooms in the heart of Beaune.

Dracy Spa & Hotel

We also spent one night in the Côte Chalonnaise and ended up in Dracy. No one had ever heard of it, except for the many seniors who were visiting this hotel en masse. Anyway, we had our preconceptions ready, but they vanished like snow in the sun when we looked at the wine list. Bienvenues Batard Montrachet Grand Cru by Jean Claude Ramonet . Within easy reach (read: a fraction of the price ). We had no choice but to take the plunge and felt like we were on cloud nine in wine heaven.

Tips

Clima Vinea

The app for wine nerds. This app is definitely expensive, but as you drive through the vineyards, you'll see exactly which vineyards you're passing.

Inside Burgundy

The bible when it comes to Burgundy. Available in the Netherlands through Bolomey .

Rent a bike

Burgundy is also ideally suited for exploring by bike . Rent a bike and get out and about.