Burgundy is the French wine region known for producing exceptionally expensive wines, including Romanée-Conti.
Burgundy, or Bourgogne, lies in east-central France and is especially celebrated for wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Its reputation rests heavily on terroir: small differences in soil, slope, aspect and local climate can give neighboring vineyards distinct identities. This has produced one of the world’s most detailed systems of vineyard classifications.
Romanée-Conti is a Grand Cru vineyard in the Côte de Nuits, part of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. The vineyard is a monopole of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, meaning the entire named holding is controlled by one producer. Its tiny area and limited annual yield help explain why bottles are so scarce and costly.
Burgundy is not the same as Bordeaux, another prestigious French wine region. Bordeaux is particularly associated with blends based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, while Burgundy is famed for single-variety Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Champagne is a separate region known primarily for sparkling wine, and the Rhône Valley is associated with varieties such as Syrah and Grenache.