Following the winter break, the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne has reopened its sites in Chablis and Mâcon. Locals and visitors alike can once again enjoy immersive visitor trails, tasting areas, and a range of activities within these unique spaces dedicated to Bourgogne’s wine culture.
Beaune: A Site Reinventing Itself
The 2026 season marks an important milestone for the Beaune site, with several developments designed to enhance the visitor experience.
A Single Ticket for a Complete Experience
Starting in May, the Cité will introduce a single ticket combining access to the permanent exhibition, the temporary exhibition, and a 25-minute tasting workshop.
Les Accords Bar Becomes a Restaurant-Bar
Previously known as a bar, the “Les Accords” space on the fourth floor is evolving into a full restaurant-bar. The end-of-visit tasting is now hosted here, in a warm and welcoming setting with sweeping views over the vineyards. The terrace extends the experience with open-air dining.
Take the Wines Home with You
Another new feature in Beaune: visitors can now purchase the wines they have tasted on-site. Like a wine merchant, the site offers a curated selection of Bourgogne wines, allowing guests to extend the experience beyond their visit.
Monthly After-Work Events
From May onward, the Cité will host a monthly after-work event, each featuring a musical partner and a guest winegrower or wine merchant from Bourgogne.
The Bourgogne Wine Board is strengthening its technical and innovation strategy to anticipate the vineyard’s future challenges, with three major projects entering a decisive phase in 2026: Vitilience CAP-2050, CEPInnov, and Apogée.
Led by the Technical and Innovation Department (PTI), these programs are part of a broader framework of around sixty projects, supported by a budget exceeding €3 million.
Vitilience CAP-2050 aims to enhance the vineyard’s resilience to climate change by 2050. Launched as a three-year program, it focuses on experimenting with innovative viticultural systems combining several approaches: diversifying plant material, protecting against climate hazards, reducing the carbon footprint, and managing heat stress.
CEPInnov reaches a key milestone with the final selection of new grape varieties resistant to powdery and downy mildew, developed from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. After ten years of research, the program will soon lead to the planting of an experimental vineyard plot in the Côte Chalonnaise.
Apogée, conducted in partnership with the University of Bordeaux, delivers major advances in understanding the longevity of Chardonnay-based white wines. Researchers have identified a key marker of premature aging - methional - which can now be quantified. This discovery paves the way for an early diagnostic tool to assess the aging potential of white wines.
The Bourgogne Wine Board confirms the success of its strategic shift aimed at engaging 25-40-year-olds, both in France and internationally. At a time when wine consumption is declining among younger audiences, Bourgogne is successfully shifting toward a bolder, more experience-led approach.
This strategy is built around two complementary approaches: a more accessible, culturally driven message designed to attract new audiences, and a more technical, terroir-focused message for professionals and knowledgeable enthusiasts. This dual approach balances accessibility with high standards.
In France, the “Tellement Bourgogne / Tellement Chablis” campaign, launched at the end of 2024, reflects this repositioning by bringing wine into everyday life through unexpected pairings and bold, unconventional visuals that move beyond traditional wine imagery. Supported by a multi-channel media plan, it reached 124 million people in France in 2024-2025. The campaign continues in 2026.
In the United Kingdom, the “Feeling Bourgogne” campaign extends this approach by focusing on emotions and occasions for consumption, through video content, public events, and partnerships with influencers.
At the same time, the web series “The Tasting Tips,” a short, bilingual, educational format, has surpassed one million views and received a Gold Award at the 2026 Grand Prix Influencia, a leading French marketing awards program.
In line with this strategy, collaborations with influencers help make Bourgogne wines more accessible and appealing to target audiences.
Led by Paulo Brammer, an Official Bourgogne Wine Ambassador, this master class is designed for wine professionals.
Renowned for its terroirs, its Climats, and its centuries-old expertise, Bourgogne offers a broad range of authentic, accessible wines that go well beyond its most familiar references and open up new perspectives.
Paulo Brammer will invite participants to take a fresh look at Bourgogne wines with a selection that combines excellent value for money with a clear expression of terroir. This approach opens up new opportunities to build compelling ranges tailored to the Brazilian market.
This master class will also highlight the diversity of Bourgogne wines and their potential in Brazil.
Contact us for further details.
Melbourne: Tasting and Master Class on June 2
A master class, tasting, and immersive workshops will explore the diversity of Bourgogne wines and the concept of terroir.
The Bourgogne Wine Board invites wine professionals to Melbourne for a day dedicated to discovering Bourgogne wines through a tasting and a master class.
The day will open with a master class led by Andrea Pritzker, MW and Official Bourgogne Wine Ambassador, focusing on Village appellations, which account for nearly half of Bourgogne’s production. It will highlight their diversity, accessibility, and strong potential in the Australian market.
This professional tasting will bring together a selection of wines presented by 20 importers, offering a representative overview of Bourgogne’s styles and appellations. Immersive spaces will also provide deeper insight into the vineyard. These include a focus on the Chablis appellations, workshops exploring the notion of terroir, and blind tastings.
This event is designed for professionals looking to deepen their expertise and connect with importers and other Bourgogne wine professionals active in the Australian market.
Contact us for more information.
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First Report on the Grands Jours de Bourgogne
Held from March 9 to 13, the Grands Jours de Bourgogne brought together visitors from nearly 60 countries and more than 1,070 exhibitors, all united by a shared passion for Bourgogne wines.
The week was marked by particularly rich exchanges and tastings. Exhibitors, visitors, and organizers alike praised the success of this edition, highlighting both strong attendance and the quality of connections made.
Key figures, ahead of a more detailed report:
• 13 “In” tastings across 10 venues and 11 “By Night” tastings
• 1,070 exhibitors (vs. 970 in 2024, +10.3%)
• 2,314 visitors
• 95.2% trade professionals (importers, wine merchants, sommeliers, restaurateurs, etc.) and 4.8% journalists (110 in total)
• 42.5% France - 57.5% international
• 10,605 total entries
• 51% new participants (renewal rate)
• 57 countries represented (Top 10: France, Italy, Belgium, United States, Germany, China, Denmark, Switzerland, Japan, Brazil)
This 18th edition also emphasized a more responsible event format, including:
• Shuttle services between venues (including an electric shuttle)
• Encouragement of carpooling via the “Togetzer” app
• Reuse of signage, badge holders, and empty bottles, with metal collection points installed at the exit of certain sites. Several thousand bottles were collected, washed, and reused.
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Economic news
Bourgogne Holds Firm in a Changing Market
A mixed start to the 2025-2026 campaign, shaped by more selective consumption and increased caution among market players.
The start of the 2025-2026 campaign confirms the slowdown that began in 2024-2025. Estate releases are down in bottled volumes but up in bulk wine, must, and grapes, driven by a more generous 2025 harvest.
In a context of less frequent but more selective wine consumption in France, Bourgogne wines are showing resilience in retail, with +1.6% in volume and +1.8% in value, while overall French AOC wines are declining (-3.5% in volume). This performance is notably supported by the “accessible Bourgogne” segment, driven by generic and private-label brands, as well as key AOCs such as Bourgogne, Mâcon, and Chablis.
On export markets, Bourgogne is recording growth in volume (+3.7% vs. 2024), despite a slight decline in value (-1.8%), reflecting a shift in pricing. Entry-level segments (Bourgogne and Mâcon AOCs, as well as Crémant de Bourgogne) continue to play a key role, with Crémant de Bourgogne in particular showing strong growth (+13.8% in volume).
Market dynamics are shifting.
The United States, Bourgogne’s leading export market (19.3 million bottles), is declining (-7.9%) amid tariff pressures and reduced consumption. By contrast, the United Kingdom (+7.1%), Canada (+15%), Belgium (+8.7%), and Sweden (+9.6%) are all growing.
New opportunities are emerging.
Brazil is experiencing strong growth, while India - still a small market (23,000 bottles) - is showing potential, supported by prospects of reduced import duties.
In an evolving Australian wine market, Bourgogne wines are maintaining strong momentum. In 2025, exports returned to growth (+9.2% in volume vs. 2024) and reached a record level in value, approaching €29 million (+2.6%).
While overall wine consumption in Australia is declining (-3% per year), in favor of cocktails and ready-to-drink beverages, certain categories are performing strongly. White wines dominate, accounting for 69% of Bourgogne wine export volumes and 55% of revenue, with a notable increase in value (+4.5%).
Chablis appellations stand out as a key driver, representing nearly 44% of Bourgogne white wine export volumes and showing strong growth in 2025 (+23.5% in volume). Wines from the Mâconnais are also experiencing a marked rebound (+40% in volume).
On the red wine side, although volumes are down (-6.6%), value remains stable at over €12 million.
Local wines account for 77% of consumption, and while French wines enjoy strong awareness (69%), they remain relatively under-purchased. This creates clear opportunities for Bourgogne.
The Technical & Innovation Department (PTI) presents its summary of the 2025 vintage, analyzing key aspects of the growing season: vegetative cycle, plant health, ripeness, comparisons with previous vintages, and the broader economic context.
Key highlights:
• At the national level, 2025 ranks as the 4th warmest year, behind 2022, 2023, and 2020.
• At the regional level, the year ranks 10th for highest temperatures and lowest rainfall, and 7th for sunshine levels.
Despite sometimes challenging conditions - including heat episodes, storms, and stress on the vines - the vintage shows strong qualitative potential, which Bourgogne’s winemakers will bring to full expression.
The Association des Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne, which oversees the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Climats, has unveiled its 2026 program, featuring key public events and four main areas of focus dedicated to protecting, sharing, and promoting the UNESCO-listed site.
April 19: a joint event bringing together the nine UNESCO sites of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in Beaune, with meetings with winegrowers, educational activities, and tastings.
In May: an educational day for 331 students from 14 classes at the Château du Clos de Vougeot, focused on heritage, biodiversity, and the history of the Climats.
A series of cultural events will take place over the summer, including the “Apéros avec VUE” (evening tastings with scenic views), “village walks,” and guided cellar visits.
At the same time, four major projects are underway:
• Continued restoration of winegrowing heritage (stone walls, cabottes, etc.), with more than 260 projects supported over the past 8 years
• A research program to document the history of 40 winegrowing villages
• Deployment of an educational program for schools
• Launch of a cellar inventory project incorporating 3D modeling and historical data
The Saint-Vincent Tournante 2027 will take place in Volnay on January 30 and 31. This edition is designed to reflect the identity of the village - elegant, authentic, and rooted in its history. In the lead-up to the event, organizers unveiled the official poster and opened the dedicated online shop.
The poster is conceived as a visual narrative of Volnay’s history, featuring a central female figure, thought to represent the Celtic goddess “Volen,” associated with the village’s springs. She holds a small, youthful figure of Saint Cyr of Tarsus - patron saint of winegrowers - in her hands. The composition brings together historical and wine-related symbols, with the vine and the bottle at its core, illustrating the link between heritage, terroir, and celebration.
The official online shop offers a selection of products dedicated to the event. Please note: to ensure smooth organization, participants will need to purchase their tasting kit in advance. Due to the limited capacity of the village of Volnay, the number of kits available is restricted, and no sales will take place on site.
Hautes Côtes Producers are Shapping the Vineyard of Tomorrow
With “Horizon Hautes-Côtes,” Bourgogne is launching a new initiative to support the development of high-altitude vineyards in response to climate change.
The Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune and Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits producers are launching “Horizon Hautes-Côtes,” a mapping initiative designed to guide the future development of high-altitude vineyards, balancing wine quality, landscape preservation, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.
Led by the Hautes-Côtes ODG and supported by numerous partners, the project is built around a central tool: A comprehensive mapping system combining geological, climatic, environmental, and regulatory data. This will provide a shared understanding of the territory and help guide decision-making, particularly in identifying areas to preserve and those best suited for future plantings.
The rollout will take place in two phases: a pilot phase in 2025-2026 covering the villages of Nantoux and Meloisey (1,550 hectares), followed by a broader deployment across the entire area in 2026-2027, encompassing 47 villages and 25,000 hectares.
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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