This area is dedicated to wine professionals including sommeliers, restaurateurs, wine store owners importers and trainers. Welcome to your very own BIVB website where you can find all the tips and tools you need. You will find documentation, photography, training tools and all kinds of other useful information here to facilitate your search. You can also browse our events and training calendar and you are welcome to attend any that appeal. If you require any further information then don’t hesitate to contact us!
2024 Harvest: Bourgogne's Agility Meets the Challenges a Trying Year
The 2024 vintage has been affected by difficult weather conditions since April. It's harvest time, and with the harvest's quantitative potential reduced, a nimble approach is needed to choose the optimum harvest date and preserve its promising quality.
In Bourgogne, as in much of France, the year has been punctuated by atypical weather conditions, with rainfall well above normal. This was compounded by localized but severe frost and hail.
These conditions have led to high disease pressure, requiring substantial work in the vineyards throughout the growing season to protect the crop. As a result, many regions are seeing small, well-aerated grape clusters.
The warm and relatively dry weather that finally set in during August helped improve the situation and provided favorable conditions for ripening. However, vigilance remains crucial, as more autumn-like conditions have arrived at the start of the harvest. Only a careful assessment can determine the optimal harvest date to ensure the best quality.
Although the volume of the harvest has been reduced by the unpredictable weather—difficult to estimate at present depending on the sector—the quality is expected to hold up.
The parcels monitored by the Bourgogne Wine Board's (BIVB) Vintage Observatory reveal promising sugar/acid balances. Additionally, the sunny, dry weather that arrived on September 12 has allowed the grapes to continue ripening.
Nonetheless, the utmost care is required this year, both in the vineyard and the winery, with strict grape selection—a practice deeply embedded in Bourgogne's winemaking tradition—being indispensable.
The harvest began as early as September 2 in the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay plots destined for the production of Crémant de Bourgogne. For still wines, the harvest gradually started during the second week of September, with Pinot Noir leading the way, maintaining the head start it gained during the ripening phase.
November 12: Join an Exceptional Auction
On Tuesday November 12, the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) is organizing a unique auction featuring nearly 600 old appellation signs, which have graced Bourgogne's vineyards for over 20 years. This is a rare opportunity for wine enthusiasts and collectors to acquire a piece of Bourgogne's rich viticultural history.
These panels are divided into more than 300 lots comprising legendary Bourgogne appellations, from Grand Cru to Village and Régionale appellations. The auction will be live-streamed on drouot.com and interencheres.com, via direct coverage from the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune. Open to the general public online, the sale will be orchestrated by auctioneers Jérôme Duvillard and Alexandra Chaillou-Weidmann from the Quai des enchères.
The proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne, to support conferences and exhibitions focusing on the cultural, artistic and historical heritage of winegrowing in Bourgogne. It's a wonderful opportunity to promote Culture (with a capital “C”) and contribute to the preservation of Bourgogne's rich heritage!
On July 3, the 53rd “Cave de Prestige” awards ceremony organized by the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) was held at the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune.
Laurent Delaunay and François Labet, presidents of the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB), congratulated the 119 Caves Coop, Négociants and Domaines selected for the 2024 edition. 183 wines were chosen, among 1,394 samples, to represent the excellence of Bourgogne on the world stage for the next year.
With a selection rate of 13.1%, the Cave de Prestige is known for its rigorous standards, embodying the diversity and quality of Bourgogne wines. These wines will be tasted at events such as Rendez-vous avec les vins de Bourgogne, the Grand Bourgogne Tour or at master classes and tasting workshops organised by the BIVB on international markets.
The ceremony highlighted the vitality of the Bourgogne wine industry, with 19 new companies recognized for the first time or making a return to the selection. Laurent Delaunay paid tribute to the dedication of the winners and the diversity of the cuvées, with 75% of the wines coming from the 2022 vintage, excluding Crémant de Bourgogne. These wines will henceforth serve as ambassadors for Bourgogne, both in France and internationally.
Get ready to be amazed by this latest creation: Sommelier Maxime Dubois disrupts the rules of wine tasting, making it easy for you to appreciate what it's all about.
Starting October 5, we're launching our new web series on Instagram and Facebook, all about wine tasting. Aimed at a less-experienced audience, it seeks to bring together anyone with an interest in wine!
The Bourgogne Wine Board took advantage of the summer break to film the first season of a new web series hosted by Maxime Dubois, who is an official Bourgogne wine Ambassador.
This series uses Instagram and TikTok style, with dynamic editing and a light-hearted tone, while still delivering quality, informative content. The six episodes will teach you the basics of Bourgogne wine tasting, covering essential topics: Which glass to choose, how to open and serve wine, how to observe wine, how to smell wine, how to taste wine, how to store wine?
Using an accessible and entertaining approach, Maxime Dubois aims to make the world of wine more engaging and accessible to everyone, whether you're a beginner or an experienced enthusiast.
The series will be broadcast in English every Saturday, starting October 5.
About Maxime Dubois:
Maxime is a young French sommelier who has been based in Vietnam since 2019. After studying at Ferrandi in Paris and gaining experience in managing a restaurant and wine bar in Dublin, he became a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. He has traveled the world meeting winemakers and is now an instructor at the Red Apron Wine School in Vietnam. In 2023, he became an official Bourgogne wine Ambassador.
Savigny-lès-Beaune is a Village appellation in the Côte de Beaune that produces white wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, and red wines from Pinot Noir.
Located just north of Beaune, the village of Savigny-lès-Beaune stretches along the valley of the small Rhoin river. The vineyards, once owned by the Dukes of Bourgogne, abbeys and the Knights of Malta, are divided into two distinct zones: one facing south, near Pernand-Vergelesses, and the other situated below Mont Battois, near Beaune. The soils here are relatively sandy, and the vines face east and northeast. This appellation includes 22 Climats classified as Premier Cru.
Wine Characteristics Red: Deep cherry-red color with purple and garnet highlights, and a bouquet of black and red berries (blackcurrant, cherry, raspberry) as well as floral notes (violet). The body is subtly tannic, full-bodied and preserves its fruity character. Its roundness and volume, combined with balance and power, evoke sour cherries with an elegant touch. White: Golden with emerald or pale straw highlights, it has a floral and playful nose. Its bouquet often reveals buttery, brioche-like notes, with hints of lemon, grapefruit, and sometimes minerals. The lively, crisp attack contributes to the clean, straightforward character of this wine, with a persistent richness that can sometimes be spicy and fleshy.
Food Pairings
Red: Its roundness and power make it the perfect accompaniment to flavorful beef cuts, or even pan-seared foie gras. With crispy roasted poultry, the wine's fleshy personality can complement the slightly dry texture of poultry, as well as with the more aromatic flavors of glazed or caramelized poultry.
Serving temperature: 15°C.
White: Its lively, crisp attack makes it ideal for freshwater fish with white sauce, or for omelettes and scrambled eggs. The rich, creamy bouquet ensures a smooth and pleasant finish. It pairs beautifully with many goat cheeses, as well as Gruyère, Comté and Cîteaux.
Serving temperature: 11 to 12°C.
Videos:
- In this video, join Jean-Pierre Renard, an expert educator at the École des vins de Bourgogne, to discover the geographical and geological specifics of the Savigny-lès-Beaune appellation.
The Chablis Wine Festival returns on October 26 and 27. A not-to-be-missed event for wine lovers and the curious alike!
Over 6,500 visitors are expected to celebrate the new vintage alongside 40 Domaines and wine producers from the Chablis and Grand Auxerrois regions. Organized by the Chablis Office in partnership with the Bureau Interprofessionnel des vins de Bourgogne (BIVB), this festival offers a rich program filled with activities and discoveries:
- Free wine tastings throughout the weekend with local winegrowers in attendance.
- A rock concert by the group “Ouest et foodtrucks” at Place Lafayette on Saturday evening, extending the festive atmosphere.
- Sunday morning parade by the Confrérie des Piliers Chablisiens, with ceremonial inductions in the courtyard of Château Long-Depaquit, accompanied by the brass band “Les Enfants de Chablis.”
- Vintage car exhibition at Place Lafayette, in collaboration with the BAYA and Les Vieux Pistons Tonnerrois associations.
- Tourist train to explore Chablis and guided vineyard walks with panoramic views of the Clos area (Sunday morning).
- Guest of honor: Irpinia Wine Consortium (Italy), offering tastings of red “Taurasi” and white “Fiano di Avellino” and “Greco di Tufo” wines.
The Bureau Interprofessionnel des vins de Bourgogne (BIVB) has launched the French version of "Unlock Chablis", an innovative and educational game designed to deepen knowledge about Chablis wines.
Developed to offer a fun and interactive immersion into the Chablis vineyard, this game provides a unique approach to discovery through exploring Chablis' history, winemaking expertise, the climate challenges faced by vintners, and a few recommended food and wine pairings.
Initially launched in the United States, Unlock Chablis has already captivated thousands of users. This engaging experience simplifies technical information and makes the richness of Chablis wines accessible to a broader audience.
This virtual educational tool is perfect for enthusiasts and the curious alike, offering a new way to learn about Bourgogne wines by solving puzzles or answering questions. Play alone or as part of a team!
The Ladoix appellation has shown great patience in gaining recognition as a fully-fledged Village appellation. Like many others in Bourgogne, the winegrowers had to fight hard to highlight the unique qualities of their wines.
Does being a link between the Côte de Nuits and the Côte Beaune influence the characteristics of the wines from this 140-hectare vineyard?
- Part 1 of this course, hosted by Master of Wine Robin Kick, will reveal key facts about the appellation, with reports and interviews with winegrowers. - Part 2 will feature a guided tasting of several wines.
The program will be broadcast live (Paris time): at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. in English
There are two ways to participate and ask questions live via chat, to Robin kick and the winegrowers:
- Join an in-person group with one of our official Bourgogne wine Ambassadors. Contact them directly to register.
- Join an online session, without the wine tasting, but still with the chance to better understand the appellation. Connect to: www.rendez-vous-vins-bourgogne.live
This webinar is exclusively for press and wine professionals.
For more information, please contact Cannelle Peulot at cannelle.peulot@bivb.com
Live from Canada: Discover the Best of the Mâcon AOC Terroirs!
Join us on October 21 and 22 in Montreal and Quebec City to discover new treasures from Bourgogne: the Mâcon + appellation.
The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) is partnering with the Mâcon Wine Producers' Union (UPVM) and Jacky Blisson, Master of Wine, to offer an immersive experience into the heart of the Mâconnais region in Montreal and Quebec City.
Blandine Guerrin from Domaine Gilles Guerrin in Vergisson and spokesperson for the region, will also be present to answer your questions and share the latest vineyard updates. Don't miss these two opportunities to better understand what makes each of the Mâcon plus geographical denomination wines so special!
Montréal, October 21:
Join us for a fun and educational event on Monday, October 21, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Fabrik8 in Montréal. Discover the 27 geographical denominations of the Mâcon appellation and enrich your knowledge.
We will officially launch the film “27 Reasons to Love Mâcon: A Journey Through Each geographical denomination” created with Jacky and extend the experience with a free tasting of Mâcon wines + denominations, presented by import agents (SAQ and private importers). A special section will feature a selection of wines from the BIVB's Cave de Prestige.
Quebec City, October 22:
Extend the Mâcon + experience on October 22, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., with a tasting workshop led by Jacky Blisson and Blandine Guerrin. The program includes an educational session with a commented tasting, followed by a free tasting of complementary appellations!
We invite you to join us on November 4 in London for an in-depth exploration of the Crémant de Bourgogne appellation, soon celebrating its 50th anniversary!
The sparkling wine market in the UK is booming, and Crémant de Bourgogne is well positioned to meet the expectations of consumers looking for something new. Come and discover the diversity of this appellation, driven by committed producers, each showcasing a unique expression through grape varietal blends, vineyard parcel selection, or winemaking methods.
Don't miss this tasting opportunity and take a fresh look at this appellation!
The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) in collaboration with the FNEB (Fédération des Négociants Eleveurs de Bourgogne) are excited to announce their participation in the must-attend SommCon event in San Diego this October.
At this prestigious event, we will be presenting an exclusive workshop on Mâcon plus geographical denominations wines, offering a unique opportunity to explore the richness and diversity of these exceptional wines.
Don’t miss this chance to dive deep into the uniqueness of each of the 27 villages which can add their names to the Mâcon appellation with our passionate expert, Annette Hamani, official Bourgogne Wine Ambassador.
After four successful sessions earlier this year, the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) is pleased to invite you to two more immersive training sessions in partnership with SommFoundation, scheduled for October 28th in Washington and October 30th in Boston.
Bourgogne is renowned worldwide for producing some of the finest wines with its unique terroir and savoir-faire, which are apparent in each of our 84 appellations. While many of these appellations are iconic, some are still yet to be fully recognized and brought to light.
Join Master Sommelier Thomas Price, and Jay Youmans, MW and Bourgogne Wine Ambassador, to rediscover Bourgogne through a selection of appellations, which can be described as the first step towards the notion of terroir. It will give you the keys to understand the added value that these appellations can bring to your portfolio.
The Bourgogne Wine Board is delighted to invite you to the Chablis White Party!
Be prepared to spend an amazing evening with Chablis wines, showcasing an exclusive range of 8 wines, ranging from Petit Chablis to Chablis Grand Cru, paired with Hong Kong's most traditional dim sum dishes.
Besides, there will be 4 exciting activities to UNLOCK Chablis!
Join this Pure Chablis experience and register online before 15th November, 2024. Dress code: WHITE, as pure as Chablis wines.
Need to refresh your Chablis knowledge ahead of the party?
Try Unlock Chablis, a fun platform containing games that help to teach participants about Chablis Wines and the chance to win a prize for those with the best knowledge on the event day.
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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