Grands Jours de Bourgogne: Press conference on March 20
Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne returns from March 18 to 22. Every two years, this unique event brings together wine merchants, sommeliers, restaurateurs, importers, distributors, journalists… from 50 different countries. It’s an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Bourgogne's terroirs, with a focus on sharing, conviviality and discovery.
Raphaël Dubois, President of Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne, Laurent Delaunay and François Labet, Co-Presidents of the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB), will speak at a press conference on Wednesday, March 20 at 4pm at the Palais des Congrès in Beaune. Topics to be discussed include:
- First results of the Grands Jours de Bourgogne
- Update on the economic situation for Bourgogne wines: 2023 results and the outlook for 2024
- The 2023 vintage
- Future projects and events
There are three ways to follow this conference:
- In person: an invitation will be sent out in February
- Live online: a link will be provided with the invitation. You will be able to ask your questions via Chat.
- Via a recording: the entire press conference will be broadcast at our online press room and on our YouTube channel the day after the conference.
As part of France's strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the wine sector will also play a role. To this end, Adelphe, FoodPilot and the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) have set up the Objectif Climat project aimed at decarbonising the wine and spirits sector.
The first result of this project is the deployment of the WinePilot digital tool in Bourgogne by March 2024.
This tool will guide wine industry professionals towards decarbonising the sector in 3 intuitive stages:
- The first stage gives winegrowers real-time access to their CSR data (from the vine to the end customer). In this way, they can reduce their environmental impact by identifying the levers for progress and complying with the BIVB's objectives.
- The second stage involves creating an action plan, with the platform suggesting specific actions to save emissions through simulation.
- The third stage aims to contribute to carbon neutrality through actions suggested by the platform.
The WinePilot solution can be adapted to the different needs of professionals in the sector: trade, wineries and cooperative wineries. It is also being adapted for suppliers of services and equipment to the industry. It simplifies, measures and consolidates all the actual data for a winery and its products throughout the production chain.
The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) estimates that 300 to 400 domaines, caves and négoces will be using it in the first year.
The BIVB will provide more information on its decarbonation plan and on the use of WinePilot at the press conference on March 20 during the Grands Jours de Bourgogne (see details above).
Press conference at the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune
Journalists are invited to attend the launch of the season at midday on March 7, along with a presentation of what’s new at the Cité in Chablis, Beaune and Mâcon.
The Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne invites you to its press conference in Beaune, on Thursday, March 7, at 12 noon, for the opening of the season.
Benoît de Charette, President of the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne, and managing director Olivier Le Roy will present the highlights of the new season.
The programme:
- 11 - 11.45am (optional): 45 minutes tasting workshop (delivered by the Ecole des Vins de Bourgogne)
- 12pm - 1pm: press conference
- 1pm - 2.30pm (optional): lunch at Bar Les Accords (4th floor)
- 2.30pm - 3.15pm (optional): guided tour
Following on from the event in London, the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) is continuing its "Bourgogne: The Winemakers' Cut" professional tastings in Hong Kong and Tokyo, on April 16 and 18, 2024.
These promise to be a unique experience with 35 winemakers and importers eager to share the great variety of Bourgogne Wines across 100 different labels.
On the programme: tastings of lesser-known appellations and a presentation of the diversity of styles of Bourgogne and Mâcon plus geographical denominations.
These tastings play on the parallel between what goes on behind the scenes in a film and in wine-making. They reveal the hidden faces and authentic details of the daily life of winegrowers and merchants.
Through these events, exclusively reserved for wine professionals (restaurateurs, sommeliers, wine merchants, buyers etc) and journalists, Bourgogne wines will showcase their unexpected treasures, with a wide selection of wines which are excellent value for money.
Two more dates for the future: May 21 in Stockholm and May 23 in Olso.
See what goes on behind the scenes at this tasting on our social media.
Join a live session for the "Rendez-vous avec les vins de Bourgogne" programme
In the programme on Wednesday, March 27, Master of Wine Robin Kick presents the Maranges appellation.
The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB)'s interactive programme "Rendez-vous avec les vins de Bourgogne" combines an educational workshop with online tasting. The next episode, on March 27, will be devoted to the southernmost appellation of the Côte d'Or: Maranges.
Robin Kick, Master of Wine, will host the show (initially reserved for wine professionals, now open to everyone).
On the programme: an introduction to the appellation's highlights, reports and interviews with wine professionals, followed by a guided tasting of six wines that participants can taste alongside Robin and the winemakers.
About the Maranges appellation: In the 19th century, until the advent of appellations d'origine in the 1930s, Maranges wines were generally sold under the name of "flagship" wines such as Beaune, Volnay or Pommard. This was known in Bourgogne as the equivalence system. When AOCs were created in 1936, this practice was banned. So began a long battle for the winegrowers of the three producing villages to have their wines recognised as the "Maranges" appellation, something which was not achieved until 1989!
In 2023, Bourgogne wine exports to Canada were subject to various economic pressures, resulting in a significant drop in volume and value compared with the previous year (10 months 2023/10 months 2022).
Overall, exports fell by 17.5% in volume (5.9 million bottles) and 15.6% in value (€58 million).
These figures reflect the challenges encountered on the Canadian market throughout the year. Nevertheless, Canada confirms its position as the third largest importer (8.2% of wine volumes exported by Bourgogne).
Quebec
This region absorbs 65% of Canada's exports, more than Bourgogne wine sales to Germany or the Netherlands. The SAQ (Société des Alcools du Québec, a distribution monopoly) recorded a 9% increase in sales volume over the average for recent years (+30% in value).
Ontario
Sales of Bourgogne wines experienced an overall slowdown over the last LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) fiscal year. Sales of white wines remained the least affected, returning to pre-Covid levels.
Bourgogne wine exports to the United States in 2023 were marked by global economic challenges, despite a satisfactory overall performance.
The US economy held up well, growing by 5.2% in the third quarter of 2023, mainly driven by household spending. However, forecasts of higher interest rates and a restrictive monetary policy point to lower growth in 2024.
Exports of Bourgogne wines to the United States totalled 15 million bottles, worth €243 million, down slightly in volume (-6.6%) and value (-1.4%) on the previous year.
Come and celebrate 30 years of the Bourgogne Côtes d’Auxerre AOC
Before embarking on Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne in Chablis, the Bourgogne Côtes d’Auxerre appellation will welcome you to an exclusive tasting on March 17.
The day before the launch of Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne on March 18 in Chablis, the 15 estates of the Bourgogne Côtes d'Auxerre winemakers are celebrating the appellation's 30th anniversary on Sunday, March 17 at the Abbaye Saint-Germain in Auxerre (2 to 7pm).
You'll be able to discover the appellation through its vibrant and welcoming estates, its fine, fresh, fruity, well-delineated wines, its northern Bourgogne limestone terroir, its ancestral history and its passionate winemakers.
Sign up on line with this form (reserved for the trade and the press).
For more information: evenementsbourgognecotesdauxerre@gmail.com
"The Bourgogne Côtes d'Auxerre appellation reflects the Yonne viticulture which combines history and terroir. Its vineyards, mainly situated in the village of Saint-Bris-le-Vineux, produce classic Bourgogne wines of incredible freshness. Now, thanks to the work of a new generation of winemakers over the past 30 years, the wines are known and recognised. They are constantly improving the quality of our wines”, said Jean-Christophe Bersan, President of the AOC Syndicate. Full press release here.
Don't miss the 63rd edition of the prestigious Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges Wine Auction on Sunday, March 10 at 2.30pm at the Château du Clos de Vougeot. This unmissable event in the wine-lovers' calendar will be broadcast live on www.interencheres.com, enabling wine enthusiasts the world over to take part.
This year, the spotlight is on the 2023 vintage, which is already shaping up to set the standard in the world of Bourgogne wines.
Despite surprising weather conditions, it promises wines of remarkable quality and balance, perfectly reflecting the region's unique terroir.
Under the direction of auctioneer Maître Hugues Cortot and wine expert Aymeric de Clouet, the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges Wine Auction continues to modernise and innovate. Recording steady growth over the past four years, the sale achieved a new record in 2023, with a total of €3,603,000. This success testifies to the growing popularity of Bourgogne wines among collectors and wine enthusiasts alike.
With 150 barrels to be auctioned, divided into 19 different cuvées, wine lovers will be spoilt for choice with huge variety of wines of unparalleled authenticity.
The Concours des Vins de Chablis, organised by the Office du Chablis in partnership with the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB), took place on January 20 and was presided over by a leading figure in French sommellerie: Jean-Luc Jamrozik, President of the Association des Sommeliers de Paris.
The 63 members of the jury tasted the 2022 vintage for the Petit Chablis, Chablis and Chablis Premier Cru appellations, and the 2021 vintage for AOC Chablis Grand Cru.
The eight gold medals were: Petit Chablis 2022: Domaine des Malandes Chablis 2022: Domaine Jean-Paul and Benoît Droin Chablis Premier Cru 2022, Left Bank:
- Chablis Premier Cru, Forêts, Domaine Servin
- Chablis Premier Cru, Beauroy, Domaine Gérard Tremblay
- Chablis Premier Cru, Montmains, Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin Chablis Premier Cru 2022, Right Bank:
- Chablis Premier Cru, Fourchaume, Domaines des Malandes
- Chablis Premier Cru, Fourchaume, Domaine Milcent Chablis Grand Cru 2021 : Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin, Hommage à Louis
Following on from the success of the Saint-Vincent Tournante in Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny (with 75,000 visitors in two days!), the 2025 edition will take place in Ladoix-Serrigny!
The location of the next Saint-Vincent Tournante was revealed on January 27, at the end of the Saints' Procession. 40 years after hosting the event in 1984, the village of Ladoix-Serrigny will host the 81st edition on January 25 and 26, 2025.
A little-known yet delicious appellation!
This Village appellation is the most northerly of the three bordering the Colline de Corton. With a vineyard of over 100 hectares, it produces structured, flavourful white wines from well exposed, stony hilltops, and generous red wines from more clay-rich soils. It has more than 11 Climats classified as Premier Cru. Ladoix also shares the privilege, with Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses, of producing the famous Grand Crus Corton and Corton-Charlemagne.
To find out all about the Ladoix appellation see the appellation section of our website.
Bourgogne vs. Burgundy: to re-affirm their identity, the region and the producers are reverting back to the original French iteration of the name, Bourgogne.
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