The Beaune appellation is located in the heart of Burgundy's Côte d'Or region, some 45 kilometers south of Dijon and 20 kilometers north of Châlon-sur-Saône. The town of Beaune, often considered the capital of Burgundy wines, lies at the heart of this appellation. The region enjoys a continental climate, characterized by cold winters and hot summers, with relatively moderate rainfall throughout the year.
The appellation is bordered to the north by the villages of Savigny-lès-Beaune and Pernand-Vergelesses, and to the south by the appellations of Pommard and Volnay, all renowned for their high-quality wines. Beaune's proximity to the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne also makes it a popular destination for wine lovers from all over the world.
The Beaune appellation vineyard is one of the largest and most diversified in the Côte d'Or, covering some 450 hectares, a large part of which is classified into more than 40 Premier Cru climats. The climats are precisely delimited plots, each offering unique characteristics according to exposure, altitude and soil composition. Although the vineyard produces white wines, red wines account for 355.16 hectares including 270.16 hectares for Premier Cru, while 58.43 hectares including 39.67 hectares Premier Cru are dedicated to white wines. The vineyard enjoys a predominantly eastern and south-eastern exposure, allowing the vines to take full advantage of the sun.
Beaune wines are renowned for their elegance, finesse and ability to age well. Beaune's red wines are mainly made from Pinot Noir grapes. They are distinguished by their deep, brilliant ruby color, and by the presence of fruit aromas such as cherry, raspberry, strawberry, sweet spices and sometimes violet. Beaune white wines are produced from the Chardonnay grape. They are characterized by a pale yellow to golden color and aromas of pear, apple, white flowers, honey, and sometimes hazelnut or almond.
The best-known estates are Maison Joseph Drouhin, Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils, Maison Louis Jadot and Domaine Caroline Morey.