Burgundy Wine Tours: Beaune, the Côte de Nuits & Grand Crus
Burgundy wine tours from Beaune and Dijon: Côte de Nuits reds, Côte de Beaune whites, Premier and Grand Crus, the Hospices de Beaune, and how to book.
The short version: Burgundy is the home of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and its heart is the Côte d’Or, a narrow slope of famous villages between Dijon and Beaune. The north, the Côte de Nuits, makes most of the great red Grand Crus; the south, the Côte de Beaune, makes the great whites. Base yourself in Beaune, where most tours start, or join a tour from Dijon. Here is how it works and how to book.
At a glance
| Area | Famous for | Villages |
|---|---|---|
| Côte de Nuits | Red Grand Crus from Pinot Noir | Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges |
| Côte de Beaune | Great whites from Chardonnay, plus reds | Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Pommard, Volnay, Corton |
| Base | Beaune (or Dijon, 45 minutes away) | Day and half-day tours |
| Food | Boeuf bourguignon, escargots, oeufs en meurette, Époisses cheese | Everywhere |
How Burgundy wine works
Burgundy wine is all about place. Each vineyard plot, called a climat (together they are a UNESCO World Heritage site), has its own rank: regional, village, Premier Cru and, at the top, Grand Cru. Driving the Route des Grands Crus you pass legends such as the walled Clos de Vougeot and the tiny Romanée-Conti vineyard. In Beaune, visit the Hospices de Beaune, whose charity wine auction takes place every November, and the cellars under the old town.
Choosing a tour
A full day with several tastings is the best introduction if you want to compare Côte de Nuits reds with Côte de Beaune whites. A half-day focuses on one côte. Ask whether lunch is included, and remember that Burgundy also makes excellent sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne (see Champagne vs Crémant). Heading south? Lyon is two hours away: see what to eat in Lyon.
Our pick: the From Beaune: Burgundy Day Trip with 14 Wine Tastings visits cellars in Nuits-Saint-Georges and Chambolle-Musigny and passes Clos de Vougeot and Romanée-Conti.
Compare all the regions: the best wine tours in France.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best base for a Burgundy wine tour?
Beaune, in the middle of the Côte d’Or, with most tours starting there; Dijon is 45 minutes north.
What is the difference between Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune?
Côte de Nuits, in the north, is famous for red Pinot Noir Grand Crus; Côte de Beaune, in the south, for white Chardonnay as well as reds.
What is a Grand Cru in Burgundy?
The highest-ranked vineyard plots, above Premier Cru, village and regional wines.
Book a Burgundy wine tour
Compare Burgundy wine tours in Beaune and the Côte d’Or, or see more France food and wine experiences.
