"miles" wrote ................

If I buy 5 bottles of Burgundy they will not all be the same unless I look
at who made them and what vineyard, winemaker etc.
Burgundy is not a brand name like Kleenex.


With the greatest of respect Miles, your view if far too simplistic.

If you truly want to understand this region and its wines I suggest you read
"Côte d'Or: A celebration of the great wines of Burgundy" by Clive Coates.

"Bourgogne" appellation covers all the Burgundy region, totalling approx.
7,500 acres.

The vineyards of Bourgogne AOC are located on 385 villages - many with
their own separate appellations - names like Chablis - Côte de Nuits -
Gevrey Chambertin - Clos Vougeot - Vosne Romanée - Nuits Saint Georges -Côte
de Beaune - Corton - Pommard - Volnay - Meursault - Chassagne Montrachet -
Rully - Givry - Pouilly Fuissé - Macon - Mercurey - these are all separate
appellations within Burgundy.

The grapes used in Burgundy are Pinot Noir for red wine and Chardonnay for
white wine.

Until 50 or so years ago, winemakers also used Pinot Beurot, César and
Tressot red grapes but they have now almost non-existent to the extent that
one should consider all white Burgundy (and Chablis) as Chardonnay and all
red Burgundy as Pinot Noir.



It is an appellation

Exactly - as Steve said, this means very strict controls over everything
from approved varieties, vineyards practices, yields, vinification etc.


although in the case of Burgundy is also describes the choice
of grapes used but not the exact blending done.


Nope - sorry - again, no choice - Chardonnay for white; Pinot noir for
ed - thus (unlike Bordeaux) no blending of varieties.



Nope and a wine made from grapes grown in New York can't label them as
being from elsewhere.

Exactly - so why do you think it is alright that a wine made from grapes
grown *anywhere outside of Burgundy* (this distinct geographic area in
France) could be named "Burgundy"?

Next you will be arguing that it is fine for a Sauvignon Blanc, grown and
made in New York, to be labelled "Marlborough."

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st.helier