Firmly imprinted in the wine canon, Bourgogne has long established itself as a benchmark of quality and character, synonymous with some of the world’s best wines. Bourgogne however, is not primarily a region of glittering estates. Its identity has been built upon the hard work of men and women – small growers and winemakers – with a deep connection to their land and vines. ‘What I love is the work in the vineyard. The fact that it is a craft which is so close to nature,’ says Henri-Vital Besson, Head of Viticulture at Domaine Besson (Givry) and fourth generation of the Besson family, who have been growing vines since 1902, at the helm of the estate. ‘We nurture a plant to collect its fruit … Not many people are aware of the amount of work each bottle of wine represents.’
The lived, deeply personal experience of the viticultural landscape makes Bourgogne truly special and is ultimately translated into wines of timeless elegance. ‘We make fruit-forward, terroir-driven wines,’ says Clémence Verret, winner of the Young Talents of Bourgogne award in 2022 and co-manager of her family estate in Saint-Bris-Vineux. ‘Our wines are authentic.’ Such authenticity cannot be taken for granted, as history and nature stubbornly remind producers. Bourgogne has weathered many periods of turmoil and dramatic change – not least phylloxera, two World Wars and recent severe frosts – always re-emerging surer of its capacity to affirm itself.
