In 2012, on the request of its elected representatives, the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) decided to stop translating the word “Bourgogne”, whatever the country. The aim is to help consumers find their way by ensuring coherence between the wine labels and the name of the region where the wines were created. 

Half of all Bourgogne wines produced are sold at export to around 170 territories. However, the farther the consumer lives from France, the more they struggle to understand the appellation system. They can get their bearings thanks to the wine’s origins, which is the name of our winegrowing region. It is therefore essential to use a single powerful name, a synonym for excellence and the respect for origins: Bourgogne.

After several years of preparatory work, the project for the Cité des Vins et des Climats de Bourgogne has moved into the construction phase, whilst welcoming its new president.

The governance of the Cité des Vins et des Climats de Bourgogne association is taking shape. The presidents of the BIVB, who have run it since its creation in June 2019, welcomed the appointment of Benoît de Charette during their general assembly on 17 February. They will remain heavily involved in their roles as first and second vice-presidents.

Benoît de Charrette is well known in the local wine industry. He is first and foremost a winegrower on his family estate, and also director of the Maison Albert Bichot. For several years now he has been involved in the economic life of the region and the community work that goes on here.

Benoît de Charette brings a great deal of experience to the Cité des Vins et des Climats de Bourgogne project. The project is coming along in great strides now, with work begun on two of the three Cités:
* The Cité de Beaune was first, with the site being opened and the first stone laid on 12 March.
* The Cité in Mâcon then laid its first stone on 29 March, with work set to start at the end of April.

The Cité in Chablis, which has just been granted its construction permit, will be following suit with the ceremony this summer.

These key moments symbolize the important work of inviting tenders for the construction and scenography. The choice of the companies and service providers who will be participating in the construction and creation of visitor trails will soon be announced.

Although work has only just started, you can already take a virtual tour of the future Cités via this video.

After a year that was buffeted by the Covid-19 pandemic, Bourgogne wines are now benefiting from an overall healthy economic situation. This is nonetheless being put to the test with each new set of measures, and 2021 still holds a great deal of uncertainty.

> Wine stock on estates has been buoyed by the good 2020 harvest, particularly for whites, and is slightly higher than the average over the past five campaigns.
> Transactions during the first six months of the 2020-2021 campaign were up, driven by the abundant 2020 harvest: Up 29% compared to transactions for the 2019 vintage, and up 19% on the average for the last five campaigns.
> The volume of Bourgogne wine exported maintained its growth in 2020, exceeding the equivalent of 90 million 75cl bottles (up 0.8% on 2019). Export revenue remained above one billion euros, despite a slight drop of 0.8% on 2019. The outlook for 2021 will depend largely on the measures imposed to halt the spread of Covid-19, along with administrative barriers, especially in the USA.

The announcement on 5 March of the suspension of levies for four months pending the resumption of negotiations between the European Union and the Biden administration holds out the prospect of a significant upturn in terms of Bourgogne wine exports.