Drink a really good white Burgundy before you die!
Why? Well, it is the reason Chardonnay is the most planted white wine grape on the planet! (yes, yes, I know, wine nerds, Airén is the most planted grape ... but, it's mainly used for brandy and cheap plonk so doesn't count!)
Ten Second Summary
- What it is: White Burgundy is Chardonnay from Burgundy in eastern France. When most wine lovers talk about the best white Burgundy, they usually mean the great wines of the Côte de Beaune: Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet.
- Tastes like: This depends enormously on village, vineyard, producer and vintage, but the best white Burgundy can be mineral, nutty, buttery, citrusy, smoky, floral, powerful, delicate, long, layered and, at its greatest, quietly mind-bending.
- Buying shortcut: Start with producer first, then village, then vineyard. Or go straight to the 10 best white Burgundy producers ↓
- Best with: Roast chicken, lobster, scallops, turbot, creamy sauces, Comté, mushroom dishes, or any meal where you want the wine to be the main event without shouting about it.
- When to drink: Village wines are often best within 3–8 years; top Premier Cru and Grand Cru white Burgundy can age much longer, but only if cellared well and bought from a strong producer.
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| Frost protection candles in Meursault, Burgundy — where some of the best white Burgundy wines fight for survival before they ever reach the bottle. Image © iStock.com / Wirestock. |
What's on this page
- 1. Why best white Burgundy is bucket list worthy
- 2. What is white Burgundy?
- 3. Côte de Beaune: the heart of great white Burgundy
- 4. Montrachet and the pinnacle of Chardonnay
- 5. How to choose white Burgundy
- 6. Ten white Burgundy producers and wines that are bucket list worthy
- 7. How to serve white Burgundy
- 8. White Burgundy FAQ
1. Why best white Burgundy is bucket list worthy
Vignerons around the world want to emulate the best. And a lot seem to think Chardonnay is the best when it comes to white wine — and that the best Chardonnay comes from Burgundy.
Yes, sure, there have been plenty of blind tastings over the last few decades — the Judgement of Paris being the first and most famous — where New World Chardonnays have bested, or been confused for, top-end Burgundy. But does this mean white Burgundy is no good?
No! Not at all.
It is like the classic sporting rivalry where the aspiring young athlete beats their hero. And the real winner is the consumer. Yay for us! Producers from both the New World and Burgundy keep each other on their toes and quality levels up.
But the fact remains: if you love Chardonnay, if you love wine with history and meaning, and if you accept the Len Evans Theory of Consumption that life is too short to waste bottles on the ordinary stuff, then a really good white Burgundy belongs on your bucket list.
2. What is white Burgundy?
When people talk about White Burgundy they're talking about Chardonnay from Burgundy.
But there's white Burgundy and then there's white Burgundy. You see, Burgundy is a fairly small but hugely fragmented region, split into around 100 appellations. These appellations are, in order of decreasing size: regional, district, commune, and single vineyard appellations.
So “white Burgundy” is not one wine. It is a hierarchy, a geography lesson, a producer lottery, and occasionally an expensive emotional support system in a bottle.
Regional Bourgogne Chardonnay can be delicious, useful, and occasionally excellent value. Chablis is also white Burgundy, although stylistically it can feel like a different planet. But when people talk about the best white Burgundy, they are usually talking about the wines from within the Côte de Beaune district and, more specifically, the communes and single vineyards within the Côte de Beaune.
That is where Chardonnay reaches its most famous expression. Not necessarily its only great expression. Not necessarily even its best value expression. But certainly its most revered, most copied, most argued-about, and most wallet-draining expression.
Now you can find a white grape variety called Aligoté grown in Burgundy and is sold under the name Bourgogne Aligoté. You can also find a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc grown exclusively in the Saint-Bris appellation of Burgundy. But, these are anomalies. For all intents and pruposes, when people talk about white Burgundy they're calking about Chardonnay!
3. Côte de Beaune: the heart of great white Burgundy
The three key communes that distinguish Chardonnay from the region are Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, and Chassagne-Montrachet. Then there are numerous single vineyard sites within these communes that really are the pinnacle of Chardonnay.
Meursault is often thought of as the richer, nuttier, more generous expression. Puligny-Montrachet is usually described as more precise, mineral, elegant, and aristocratic. Chassagne-Montrachet can sit somewhere between the two, often with a little more breadth and power. These are generalisations, of course, and Burgundy loves nothing more than making fools of people who speak too confidently.
Producer matters enormously. A brilliant producer with a modest village wine can easily give more pleasure than a lazy producer with a grander label. This is one of the many reasons Burgundy is, as Jancis Robinson MW so neatly puts it, “a small, expensive, infuriating, complicated region that can deliver paradise in a bottle.”
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| The Côte de Beaune in Burgundy: spiritual home of many of the world’s greatest Chardonnay wines. |
4. Montrachet and the pinnacle of Chardonnay
In the 1850s, French wine connoisseur Dr Jules Lavalle ranked the vineyards of the region and said that whatever price you were asked for a bottle of Le Montrachet, it was still a bargain.
Prices have risen exponentially since then, so he might not say the same now. However, I think the sentiment is the same: these wines are rare and ridiculously good. So if you get offered the chance to try one, take it.
Montrachet and its neighbouring Grand Cru vineyards — including Chevalier-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet, Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet — sit at the top of the white Burgundy tree. They are the sort of wines that make otherwise sensible people do mathematically stupid things.
Are they always “worth it”? That depends on your bank balance, your priorities, and how seriously you take the idea that you only have so many bottles left. But are they bucket list worthy? Absolutely.
5. How to choose white Burgundy
Availability and price will determine what white Burgundy, or white Burgundies, end up on your bucket list. But given the plethora of producers and the variation between vintages, make sure you do some solid research before you hand over the cash.
The most important rule is simple: producer first. Burgundy is fragmented, complicated, and expensive. The name of the vineyard matters, but the name of the person who made the wine matters even more.
After producer, look at village and vineyard. If the label says Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet or Chassagne-Montrachet, you are in the right neighbourhood. If it says Premier Cru, you are generally looking at a more specific and potentially more serious site. If it says Grand Cru, take a deep breath, check the price, and possibly sit down.
Chablis, Pouilly-Fuissé and other parts of Burgundy can also produce superb Chardonnay and often make more sense for normal human budgets. But if the mission is to drink a really good white Burgundy before you die, then Côte de Beaune Chardonnay is the classic target.
One final warning: white Burgundy has had a complicated history with premature oxidation. This does not mean you should avoid it. It does mean you should buy from reputable merchants, strong producers, and, where possible, wines with good provenance.
6. Ten Côte de Beaune white Burgundies that are bucket list worthy
Here are 10 white Burgundies from the Côte de Beaune worth knowing. I’ve split them into two camps: five sublime white Burgundies that shouldn’t completely break the bank, and five more that very much might.
“Shouldn’t break the bank” is, of course, a dangerous phrase in Burgundy. We are not talking supermarket Chardonnay money here. We are talking “still expensive, but not yet requiring a family meeting” money. The second group is more in the “perhaps don’t check the credit card statement in front of your spouse” category.
5 sublime white Burgundies that shouldn’t break the bank
1) Domaine Bachelet-Monnot — Maranges Premier Cru La Fussière Blanc
Maranges sits at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune and remains one of the more sensible places to look if you want serious white Burgundy without immediately wandering into financial self-harm. Domaine Bachelet-Monnot has become one of the most exciting names in this part of Burgundy, making wines with precision, energy and proper Côte de Beaune class.
This is a very good reminder that bucket list white Burgundy does not always have to say Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet or Chassagne-Montrachet on the label. Sometimes the smart move is to look just outside the most famous names.
Find Domaine Bachelet-Monnot Maranges La Fussière Blanc on Wine-Searcher
2) Domaine Vincent & Sophie Morey — Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes Blanc
Chassagne-Montrachet is one of the three great white wine villages of the Côte de Beaune, and Vincent & Sophie Morey make a lovely entry point into its generous, textured, satisfying style. The wines tend to have enough richness to feel properly indulgent, but enough freshness and detail to keep things classy.
If Puligny is often the more aristocratic sibling, Chassagne can be the one that turns up with better food and a slightly more relaxed attitude. Which, frankly, is not a bad thing.
Find Vincent & Sophie Morey Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes Blanc on Wine-Searcher
3) Domaine Matrot — Meursault
Meursault is the village many people think of when they think of richer, nuttier, more generous white Burgundy. Domaine Matrot is a very useful name to know because the wines can deliver classic Meursault pleasure without always reaching the eye-watering heights of the most cultish producers.
This is the kind of bottle to open when you want to understand why Chardonnay from Meursault has seduced generations of wine lovers: texture, savoury richness, citrus, nuts, and that sense of quiet, confident depth.
Find Domaine Matrot Meursault on Wine-Searcher
4) Domaine Paul Pernot — Puligny-Montrachet
Puligny-Montrachet is often described as the most precise and mineral of the great white Burgundy villages. Domaine Paul Pernot is a classic, reliable name and a very good way to taste proper Puligny character without immediately needing to sell furniture.
Expect something more linear, elegant and refined than Meursault, with citrus, white flowers, mineral tension and that unmistakable Puligny poise. This is Chardonnay with its shirt tucked in.
Find Domaine Paul Pernot Puligny-Montrachet on Wine-Searcher
5) Domaine Marc Colin — Saint-Aubin Premier Cru En Remilly
Saint-Aubin is one of the great “smart buyer” villages of the Côte de Beaune. It sits close to Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet, but the prices have historically been less terrifying. The Premier Cru vineyard En Remilly is particularly well regarded and can produce wines with real mineral drive and class.
Domaine Marc Colin is a strong name here. This is exactly the sort of white Burgundy to look for when you want something serious, Côte de Beaune, and properly satisfying, but would still like to be able to afford dinner afterwards.
Find Domaine Marc Colin Saint-Aubin En Remilly on Wine-Searcher
5 more white Burgundies that might break the bank
6) Domaine Leflaive — Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
Domaine Leflaive is one of the great names of Puligny-Montrachet and one of the producers most closely associated with the very highest expression of white Burgundy. Chevalier-Montrachet is precise, intense, mineral, long and, when everything lines up, the sort of Chardonnay that makes the rest of the world look slightly overdressed.
This is not just great Puligny. This is one of the reference points for great white Burgundy full stop.
Find Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet on Wine-Searcher
7) Coche-Dury — Meursault
Coche-Dury is one of the most sought-after names in Meursault. The wines are famous for their intensity, smoky reduction, concentration and extraordinary length. Even the so-called “lesser” wines can be thrilling. Unfortunately, the prices know this too.
If Meursault is the village of texture, depth and nuttiness, Coche-Dury is one of the producers that turns the volume up while somehow keeping everything in perfect focus.
Find Coche-Dury Meursault on Wine-Searcher
8) Domaine Roulot — Meursault Premier Cru Les Perrières
Domaine Roulot is another benchmark name in Meursault, but the style is often more about tension, precision and clarity than sheer richness. Les Perrières is one of Meursault’s greatest Premier Cru vineyards and often behaves as though it has Grand Cru ambitions.
This is Meursault for people who like their white Burgundy with both brains and beauty. It has depth, but it also has drive. It is luxurious without being obvious. Annoyingly, the market has noticed.
Find Domaine Roulot Meursault Perrières on Wine-Searcher
9) Domaine Ramonet — Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Ruchottes
Ramonet is one of the legendary names of Chassagne-Montrachet and white Burgundy more broadly. Les Ruchottes is a superb Premier Cru site, and in Ramonet’s hands it can produce wines of power, detail, perfume and wonderful control.
If you want to understand why Chassagne-Montrachet deserves to stand proudly beside Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, this is exactly the sort of bottle that makes the argument for you.
Find Domaine Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet Les Ruchottes on Wine-Searcher
10) Domaine de la Romanée-Conti — Montrachet Grand Cru
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is better known for its reds, but its Montrachet is one of the most famous, rare and expensive white wines on the planet. Montrachet itself sits between Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet, and at its greatest is the summit of Chardonnay.
This is not casual Tuesday night Chardonnay. This is sell-a-kidney, check-your-insurance, drink-with-reverence territory. If Dr Jules Lavalle thought Montrachet was a bargain whatever the price, one suspects even he might blink at modern DRC pricing. But bucket list worthy? Sadly, gloriously, yes.
Find DRC Montrachet on Wine-Searcher
7. How to serve white Burgundy
White Burgundy should be served chilled, but not fridge-cold to the point that all the flavour disappears. A good starting point is around 10–12°C for serious white Burgundy. Lighter Bourgogne Chardonnay and Chablis can be a little cooler; richer Meursault and Grand Cru wines can be a touch warmer.
Use a proper white wine glass rather than a tiny, mean little glass that makes the wine feel like it has been put in detention. Great white Burgundy benefits from air, space and attention.
Food-wise, think roast chicken, lobster, scallops, turbot, creamy sauces, mushrooms, Comté, or simple dishes with enough richness to meet the wine halfway. Or drink it by itself and call it research. That works too.
8. White Burgundy FAQ
What is a white Burgundy called?
White Burgundy may be labelled as Bourgogne Chardonnay, Chablis, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Pouilly-Fuissé, or by the name of a specific vineyard such as Montrachet or Chevalier-Montrachet. The label usually names the place, not the grape.
Is white Burgundy Chardonnay?
In almost all serious cases, yes. White Burgundy is Chardonnay from Burgundy. The main exception is Aligoté, which is also a white grape grown in Burgundy, but when most people say white Burgundy they mean Chardonnay.
How is white Burgundy different from Chardonnay?
Chardonnay is the grape. White Burgundy is Chardonnay grown in Burgundy. So the difference is really place, style, tradition and classification. A Californian Chardonnay and a Puligny-Montrachet may be made from the same grape, but they are not trying to be the same wine.
What makes white Burgundy special?
White Burgundy is special because it combines Chardonnay with Burgundy’s limestone-rich vineyards, long winemaking history, tiny appellations, obsessive producers and maddeningly specific sense of place. At its best, it can be rich and intense while still feeling precise, mineral and alive.
Why is white Burgundy so expensive?
The best white Burgundy is expensive because production is tiny, demand is global, land is scarce, famous vineyards are limited, and top producers have cult-like followings. Add frost, hail, low yields and Burgundy’s talent for making things complicated, and prices climb quickly.
What is the best white Burgundy wine?
The most famous answer is Montrachet Grand Cru. But the “best” white Burgundy depends on producer, vintage, condition and personal taste. Great bottles from Leflaive, Coche-Dury, Roulot, Ramonet, Comtes Lafon, DRC, d’Auvenay and Raveneau are all bucket list worthy.
What is the most expensive white Burgundy?
The most expensive white Burgundies are usually rare Grand Cru wines from producers such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine d’Auvenay, Coche-Dury and Domaine Leflaive, especially Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet.
What is the difference between Chablis and white Burgundy?
Chablis is white Burgundy. It is made from Chardonnay in the northern part of Burgundy. Stylistically, Chablis is usually leaner, more mineral, more citrus-driven and less obviously oaky than many Côte de Beaune white Burgundies.
Is Pouilly-Fuissé a white Burgundy?
Yes. Pouilly-Fuissé is a white Burgundy from the Mâconnais, made from Chardonnay. It is generally more generous and approachable than the most famous Côte de Beaune wines and can be a very good way into white Burgundy.
Is Pouilly-Fumé a white Burgundy?
No. Pouilly-Fumé is not Burgundy. It is a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Pouilly-Fuissé is white Burgundy. Pouilly-Fumé is not. Annoying? Yes. Important? Also yes.
Should you chill white Burgundy?
Yes, but do not serve great white Burgundy too cold. Around 10–12°C is a good starting point for serious bottles. If it is too cold, you will hide the texture, aroma and complexity — which is a shame after paying Burgundy prices.
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