Burgundy

French designation for the Burgundy region, but also a comprehensive appellation for various red, white and rosé wines. This large group of wines is the bottom layer of the pyramid of hierarchical appellations in Burgundy (see under Burgundy classification). The most frequently found designations are Bourgogne Blanc, Bourgogne Clairet, Bourgogne Rosé and Bourgogne Rouge. These may be produced from the permitted varieties, the most important of which are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The AC Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains applies to red and rosé wines made from Pinot Noir and Gamay. The AC Bourgogne Aligoté applies to white wines made from the variety of that name. The AC Bourgogne Côtes du Couchois is used for red wines made from Pinot Noir and sourced from the vicinity of the town of Couches, from which the name is taken. The AC´s Bourgogne Mousseux and Crémant de Bourgogne are used for sparkling wines. In addition, there are a number of towns and districts that are permitted to append their own name to the designation. These include, for example, Bourgogne Épineul, Bourgogne La Chapelle Notre-Dame, Bourgogne Montecul and Bourgogne Vézelay. The lowest classification is the appellation Bourgogne Grand-Ordinaire, used for light red wines and dark rosé wines made from Gamay and Pinot Noir, as well as for white wines made from Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Aligoté and Melon de Bourgogne.