Clos Vougeot, at the heart of French nectars

Originally

Amidst the vineyards of Burgundy, the Climats weave the tale of a land where generations have worked tirelessly to harness Nature's bounty and encapsulate the essence of a region in a bottle - those "divine drops" that embody the spirit of a Nation. At the core of this synergy between human craftsmanship and a generous terroir stands the Clos Vougeot, a revered Grand Cru among the most sought-after French wines.

Over the centuries

Banned in the days of the Roman Emperor Domitian, Burgundy's vineyards quickly won over the hearts of all people, from the Avignon popes to the Tastevin brotherhood and Napoleon himself – all enchanted by this rare elixir, a treasure to be safeguarded.

Nowadays

Fine wines connoisseurs and avid hikers come together on the “GR Pays des Grands Crus”, a trail meandering through 29 villages and covering an impressive 87 kilometres. The picturesque landscapes of Burgundy have, however, evolved with the times : with 11% of the vineyards cultivated biodynamically, both men and an increasing number of women are extending and redefining this tradition and viticultural model, to the point that new techniques have echoed across the globe, from New Zealand to the United States.

Did you know?

• The Cascade of the "Cirque du Bout du Monde" is located in Côte d'Or within the blind valley of the "Cirque du Monde" - more than 530 metres high. It is bordered by immense cliffs over 45 metres high. Gassed butterflies, peregrine falcons, and salamanders have made this place their habitat.

• Lyne Marchive, Martine Protheau, and Virginie Taupenot-Daniel, the first women to enter the circle of the “Knights of the Tastevin”, a brotherhood founded on November 16, 1934, which now gathers more than 12,000 knights worldwide.

• Léonce Bocquet, a renowned merchant in the region, saved the castle from ruin through renovation work completed in 1889. Bocquet is buried within the castle itself.

• The Val Suzon Forest is nicknamed "the little Burgundian Switzerland" and is located in the heart of the Suzon Nature Reserve. With an area of 2100 hectares, it is labelled as an Exceptional Forest. Comb-like valleys, natural viewpoints - such as the Balcons de Suzons - and limestone cliffs surround the Suzon, a river that crosses the heart of the forest. Neolithic and Gallo-Roman sites are also found there.

• A matter of festivities and celebrations with the Saint-Vincent Tournante festival, where local societies gather every January 22nd in a village that changes every year. In the imagination of Burgundian winemakers, Saint-Vincent is associated with the fertility of the vineyards, feats he is said to have accomplished with his donkey during journeys from Spain 300 years AD.

• Back to Burgundy, a film by director Cédric Klapisch, pays tribute to the Burgundy vineyards, which also host numerous hip-hop concerts and the Music and Wine Festival.

• The Cyclosportive "Running for Peace" is a race born in the mind of Mike Sata, the Japanese owner of Château de Chailly. Sponsored by former cyclists Bernard Hinault and Francesco Moser, the event features three courses on the roads of Auxois, in the heart of Côte d'Or. This event pays tribute to the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.