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!
With fairly early budburst, and despite frost in April and early May, the 2019 vintage seems to be off to a good start.
March was very clement, and the growth cycle began towards the end of the month. The earliest plots and varietals reached the mid-budburst phase during the first few days of April, making 2019 one of the earliest years in terms of the start of the growth cycle.
However, a spell of cooler weather during the first two weeks in April slowed down the vines’ development. This episode brought several nights of frost, resulting in varied amounts of damage in different sectors that is still difficult to quantify, even weeks later. This short cold snap was, however, widely forecast, so wine professionals were able to take the necessary precautions.
As a result, the growth cycle was a little behind. In more tardy areas and with more later-ripening varietals, the mid-budburst stage was only reached during the last 10 days in April.
In the end, the mid-budburst stage in 2019 was similar to that observed in 2017 for the Côte de Nuits, the Côte de Beaune, the Côte Chalonnaise, and the Mâconnais. Only the Chablis and Grand Auxerrois regions lagged behind.
Winemakers are still confident nonetheless, and are now waiting for flowering before making any pronouncements on the harvest potential.
Mâcon-Villages
Lively and indulgent, these white wines from the southern end of Bourgogne won’t fail to surprise you.
The Chardonnay grape is omnipresent in the Mâconnais. This white varietal represents 80% of all vines planted in the region.
Between the Côte Chalonnaise and the Rock of Solutré, the Mâconnais Hills stretch across 40km, bordered on either side by the Saône and the Grosne rivers. Vines have been grown here since Roman times, and their rapid expansion was driven by the powerful abbeys of Cluny and Tournus.
When is the best time to enjoy Mâcon-Villages?
Mâcon-Villages wines are exclusively white, offering a vivacity and aromatic complexity that makes them very easy to combine with food. They are ideal for serving as an aperitif, pairing well with savory snacks, nuts, and olives. Chicken and veal in white sauces will make a great match in winter, while grilled fish, cold antipasti, ratatouille, or salads would make excellent summertime partners to pair with its fruity aromas. Sushi and goat cheese would also go very well.
In 2018, the US was the leading foreign market of Bourgogne in terms of revenue, accounting for 23% of all exports of Bourgogne wines. It was also in first place in terms of volume (21%).
These strong results were driven by a favorable euro-dollar exchange rate. However, Bourgogne producers are remaining cautious with regard to the potential consequences of certain decisions taken by the Trump administration.
Exports of Bourgogne wines continue to grow:
Exports of Bourgogne wines continued to grow on the US market, for both whites and reds. Crémant de Bourgogne exports slightly slowed after several years of growth.
In total, exports of Bourgogne wines to the USA enjoyed new growth in 2018 compared to 2017:
- Up 3.8% in terms of volume
- Up 2% in terms of revenue
Key figures in 2018 for Bourgogne wines in the USA: Exports: 17.4 million bottles (up 3.8% on 2017); 211.8 million euros (up 2% on 2017)
- Still white wine: 61%
- Still red wine: 30%
- Crémant de Bourgogne : 9 %
Over the first two months of 2019, exports were doing well, up 11% in terms of volume for all wines, and up 12.4% in terms of revenue over the first two months of 2018.
In terms of revenue, in 2018 Canada remained the fifth biggest export market for Bourgogne wines, behind the USA, Great Britain, and Japan, but ahead of Switzerland, with 6% of total revenue.
This market accounted for 9% of the volume of Bourgogne wines exported, making it the fourth biggest market by volume, just behind Japan.
A new record for the Bourgogne region in terms of volume:
Canada is a key market for Bourgogne wines. Exports have grown there for four years in a row and set a new all-time record by volume for the second year running. The weakness of the euro to the Canadian dollar contributed to this strong growth.
Exports of Bourgogne wines showed dual growth in 2018:
- Up 9.7% by volume
- Up 8% in terms of revenue
Key 2018 figures for Bourgogne wines in Canada: Exports: 7.15 million bottles (up 9.5% on 2017) for revenue of 53.67 million euros (up 8% on 2017). In terms of volume:
- Still white wines: 60%
- Still red wines: 33%
- Crémant de Bourgogne: 7%
In the first two months of 2019, Bourgogne wines confirmed this healthy performance, up 28% by volume and 24.2% in terms of revenue on first two months of 2018.
Chablis Discovery is an experience that plunges participants into the heart of the region, without ever leaving New York!
The four Chablis appellations are presented through videos and photography projected onto the wall, in a fun, yet educational way. The experience is divided into four phases to tackle all the different elements required for a good understanding of these wines:
- Soil type and its influence on the taste profile of Chablis wines
- The Climats of Chablis: Right bank compared to left bank, in order to understand the notion of Climat and its importance
- The importance of vintage and its impact a wine’s characteristics
- Human expertise to immerse participants in the world of Chablis wines and its traditions
Each step is punctuated by tastings to match the themes tackled. The entire training program lasts around two hours.
Japan – the Bourgogne Week Tokyo website is online
From 3-9 June, Bourgogne Week will be taking over Tokyo, with plenty of Bourgogne wine-related activities around the city. All the information is now available on the website.
After London and Hong Kong, the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) is organizing a second Japanese edition of Bourgogne Week (see En Direct April)
Importers, winestore owners, restaurants and wine bars will be hosting plenty of events involving Bourgogne wines, including tastings, dinners with winemakers, and promotions both in-store and online. All these events, along with those organized by the BIVB, can be found on the new Bourgogne Week Tokyo website.
Bourgogne Week Tokyo will also be featured across the BIVB’s Twitter and Instagram accounts, where a promotional campaign will be run using the #BourgogneWeek hashtag.
The Chablisien takes a gamble on the methanization of vinification residues
The Chablisien is innovating, voting through the budget for this procedure to add value to the by-products of the vinification process.
On 5 February, a majority of Chablis winegrowers voted through the project for a methanization unit. This process will allow the industry to add value to vinification by-products such as the waste pips, skins, and stalks after pressing or lees.
The project was first raised a decade ago by the Fédération de Défense de l’Appellation Chablis (FDAC) union, and suggested as an alternative to distillation. A project of this scope is an innovation for France.
The methanization unit is not just a PR exercise. It will allow this northernmost part of Bourgogne to adopt an environmentally-friendly approach to recycling waste products into biomethane to provide energy for neighboring homes. The unit will be located in the southern part of the region and will also help reduce the cost of transporting waste to treatment centers.
From 15 to 19 July 2019, the BIVB is hosting a Training Tour in the USA. Three masterclasses dedicated to professional audiences will run on 15 July in Houston, 17 July in San Francisco, and 19 July in Napa. The masterclasses will be hosted by Jean-Pierre Renard, trainer at the École des Vins de Bourgogne, and will showcase those Bourgogne appellations that are still little-known on this market.
As an export market for Bourgogne wines, the USA is in first place both in terms of volume and revenue (see above).
In parallel, three “Train the Trainers” sessions for WSET center teachers and sommelier schools will also run on 15 July in Houston, 18 July in Seattle, and 19 July in Napa.
Then it’s high time to book your place on the most prestigious training program of the year: “The Ultimate Bourgogne wines tasting: The 33 Grands Crus Appellations“.
The Ecole des Vins de Bourgogne is opening its doors to lovers of the greatest Bourgogne wines for a single and unique session per year, for three exceptional days dedicated to tasting the most coveted appellations from Bourgogne from 27th to 29th June 2019.
The unique patchwork of Climats, or specific plots, forms the enigmatic DNA of Bourgogne wines, and was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. Reflecting more than 2,000 years of history, this system has shaped the wine region’s landscape and is behind the famous names that today projects Bourgogne onto the world stage. The Grand Cru appellations are the ultimate expression of these Climats, accounting for just 1% of the average production of the region.
With this training, the Ecole des Vins de Bourgogne is offering the opportunity to grasp the singularity which characterizes each of the 33 Bourgogne Grand Crus produced from these legendary plots, which are synonymous with refinement. They invite you to discover this universe and share some memorable moments. An exceptional educational experience is proposed to all wine-lovers, from the non-initiated up to the connoisseur. “The Ultimate Bourgogne wine tasting: The 33 Grands Crus Appellations » session is run in English by two passionate experts, one in wine tasting, the other in geology.
To take participants to the heart of the Grand Cru terroirs, several landscape readings in the vineyard are scheduled in legendary plots such as Montrachet and Corton. Visits to estates producing Grand Cru wines and commented tasting sessions are also part of the program put together by the Ecole des Vins de Bourgogne in Beaune. On Friday 28th, enjoy an exceptional evening in attending the concert at the church followed by a diner “Paulée” at the Chateau de Meursault during the famous "Musique & Vin festival".
Information and reservation: Ecole des Vins de Bourgogne - Beaune
Tel: + 33 (0)3 80 26 35 12 – delphine.thivat@bivb.com
On 19 June, you have a “Rendez- Vous avec les vins de Bourgogne”
The next edition of the industry’s international show, “Rendez- Vous avec les vins de Bourgogne ”, will explore Régionale appellations with a geographical denomination.
The interactive “Rendez- Vous avec les vins de Bourgogne” show brings together hundreds of industry professionals, journalists, and influencers from around the world for every edition to explore one or more appellations or a specific topic relating to Bourgogne wines.
The next edition, set to screen on 19 June, will be dedicated to red Régionale appellations with an additional geographical denomination. This will be a perfect opportunity to discover appellations such as Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits, Mâcon-Igé, Bourgogne Côtes d’Auxerre, or the brand-new Bourgogne Côte d’Or. All these wines mark the first step towards an interpretation of the terroir, a notion that is unique to the DNA of Bourgogne wines.
The show lasts for one hour. The first 20 minutes are dedicated to presenting the theme of the show, including reports and interviews with winemakers. The second part involves a commented tasting of a range of wines, during which participants at sessions hosted around the globe are invited to sample simultaneously with Jean-Pierre Renard, expert trainer at the École des Vins de Bourgogne. At the end of the show, he answers questions asked by participants on Twitter, via the #BIVBRDV hashtag.
The show is broadcast by satellite in 10 countries, in English at 9am, 11am, 6pm, and 10pm; and in French at 4pm (CET).
Vidéo
Where does the notion of Climat come from?
Jean-Pierre Garcia, professor at the university of Bourgogne and specialist in wine terroir, has conducted with his team a study on the notion of the Climat, specific to the Bourgogne region.
In this four-minute video, discover the results and their main discoveries.
Until 30 June 2019
Come and join us at our professional Bourgogne wine workshops in Beaune
Until 1 July 2019
Les Ateliers Prestige by Fabrice Sommier are back! A new program of events will be running across France, with sessions in Bordeaux on 17 June and Lyon on 1 July
International:
3 to 7 June – Tokyo
Bourgogne Week Tokyo 2019
11 June – New York
Chablis Discovery in New York
An immersion into the Chablis winegrowing region through themes including soil type, vintage, and Climat, to combine images with tastings
19 June – Multiple countries
“Rendez-Vous avec les vins de Bourgogne” returns, featuring red Bourgogne and Mâcon wines with an additional geographical denomination. To be broadcast in the USA, Canada, UK, Belgium, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea
15 July – Montreal
“Chablis, de la Terre à la Table”
A tasting lunch around Chablis wines and local products
15 to 19 July – USA
Bourgogne Wines Training Tour USA (see above)
19 August – UK
PX Festival – Bourgogne Wines masterclasses.
More information to follow.
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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