It is very difficult to précis what Burgundy is all about; there’s so much to say and words generally fail to convey its complex appeal. However, one can but try!

The region of Burgundy runs north to south, stretching from Chablis all the way down to Mâcon. Its epicentre, which envelops the beautiful town of Beaune, is descriptively termed the Côte d’Or, the Hill of Gold, and incorporates a series of small villages that play host to hundreds of different vineyards. These vineyards coat the hillside and provide a continually evolving backdrop to the landscape as they ebb and flow during the changing seasons. Burgundy in February looks very different to Burgundy in September.

It is a wondrous region that the captures the heart of anyone who visits it. It is not just the magnificent wines that delight but the people, the food and the way of life.

The best way to understand Burgundy is to go there. See the famous vineyards and spend time in some of the region’s fabulous restaurants, eating the food and drinking the wines. The complex system of vineyards and classifications will suddenly all make sense, hopefully!