Wine and food have a long-standing relationship that can be traced back centuries. Whether you’re looking to make a beef bourguignon or braised mushrooms, these are some of the best burgundy wines to use in your cooking.
Whether you’re looking to make a beef bourguignon or braised mushrooms, these are some of the best burgundy wines to use in your cooking.
Where Does Burgundy Wine Come From?
Burgundy is one of the most famous wine regions in France, and in the world. It is located in eastern France, and it stretches from Chablis in the north to Macon in the south. The region produces some of the best red and white wines that are highly regarded by wine connoisseurs around the globe.
The Burgundy wine region is known for its unique terroir, which gives rise to distinct flavors and aromas of its wines. The soil composition, climate, altitude, and other factors greatly influence how grapes grow in Burgundy’s vineyards. Pinot Noir grapes are used to make red wines while Chardonnay grapes are used for white wines. Both make excellent wines for drinking but also good burgundy cooking wine.
Burgundy Pinot Noir taste notes
The taste of burgundy Pinot Noir can be described as light-bodied with a complex combination of flavors and aromas. It’s important to note that there are many different factors that can impact the taste and aroma of Burgundy Pinot Noir, including the specific vineyard where the pinot noir grapes were grown, the vintage year, and even the winemaking process of a red wine.
One of the most noticeable characteristics of Burgundy Pinot Noir is its fruity aroma. This red wine often has notes of red fruits like cherry and raspberry, as well as darker fruit flavors like blackberry and plum. Additionally, there may be hints of spices like cinnamon or cloves, along with subtle earthy undertones making it a good cooking wine.
When it comes to taste, Burgundy Pinot Noir generally has a lighter body than other red wines. You can also use cold climate pinot noir wines as cooking wines as it can be excessive to use burgundy cooking wine.
Taste Notes of Burgundy Chardonnay
It’s known for its unique taste and aroma, which is distinct from other Chardonnays produced around the world. When you take your first sip of Burgundy Chardonnay, you’ll notice a range of flavors including citrus, apple, pear and tropical fruit notes such as pineapple and mango.
For oaked Chardonnay wined these fruity flavors are balanced with a hint of oak that gives the wine its signature buttery taste. Oaked wines are barely used as burgundy cooking wine.
Which Burgundy wine is a burgundy cooking wine?
The most prominent Burgundy wines are pinot noir and chardonnay. Therefore we focus on these two wines as burgundy cooking wine. The most important characteristics in pinot noir and chardonnay from burgundy are their fruitiness combined with a pleasant acidity. This is reflected in a number of dishes from the burgundy wine region where pinot noir and chardonnay are used for cooking.
Always remember to use only wines for cooking you would drink but don`t use grand cru wines as it would be a waste!
Burgundy Pinot Noir for cooking
Red wine from the burgundy wine region which is used for cooking is red wine made from pinot noir and gamay grapes. The Gamay grape is from the beaujolais region where red wines are cheaper than from the classic Pinot Noir regions on the Côte de Beaune or Côte d’Or.
Signature dishes from burgundy for which red burgundy wines are used are:
Sauce Bourguignonne
It`s a classic French sauce that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is a rich and flavorful sauce that is perfect for beef dishes, especially steak. The sauce is made with red wine, beef stock, onions or frozen pearl onions, carrots, bay leaf and other herbs and spices.
Beef Bourguignon or Beef Burgundy
It originated in the Burgundy region of France and is known for its rich and flavorful taste. Beef bourguignon features tender beef that has been slow-cooked in red wine, along with beef stock as braising liquid, vegetables, bay leaf, fresh thyme and other herbs.
For making beef bourguignon start by choosing a good cut of beef such as chuck or round roast. The meat should be marbled with fat to ensure it stays juicy during the cooking process. Next, select fresh vegetables like carrots, onions, and mushrooms to add depth and flavor to the dish. You can use tomato paste to stirr fry the vegetables and to add flavour.
Finally, choose a full-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir from a burgundy wine region to enhance the flavors of the beef as well as beef stock.
Ouefs en Meurette
This is a classic French dish that originated from the Burgundy region. It’s a simple yet decadent dish made with poached eggs, red wine sauce, and bacon. The dish is perfect for breakfast or brunch, and its rich flavors will leave you wanting more.
To make Oeufs en Meurette, start by cooking the bacon until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside. In the same pan, add shallots, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves to cook until fragrant. Then deglaze the pan with red wine and reduce it to half of its original volume. Add in beef broth to create a flavorful sauce.
Next up are poached eggs: gently crack them into boiling water seasoned with salt and vinegar for about 3-4 minutes or until they’re cooked to your liking.
Coq au vin
Coq au vin is a French dish that has been around for centuries. It is a classic dish that is loved by many people all over the world. The name of this dish literally translates to “rooster in wine”. This means that the main ingredient of this dish is chicken cooked in red wine.
The history of coq au vin goes back to the medieval times when roosters were considered valuable. They were only eaten on special occasions such as weddings and festivals. Coq au vin was created as a way to make use of older chickens, which are usually tough and not very flavorful. By cooking them slowly in red burgundy wine wine, the meat becomes tender and flavorful.
Poires au Vin
A classic French dessert that’s perfect for fall and winter months. This delicious dish consists of pears cooked in red burgundy wine for cooking and spices, making it the ultimate comfort food to indulge in during colder days. Poires au Vin translates to “pears in wine” and has been enjoyed by families across France for centuries.
Dishes from burgundy with white burgundy wines
The burgundy wine industry not only produces red wines but also white wines and famous Chardonnay grand cru wines from a very limited number of grand cru vineyards. You can also find other grape varieties as sauvignon blanc or pinot gris. The sauvignon blanc wines come mainly from the saint bris appellation close to the Chablis region in the north of burgundy.
Gaston Gerard Chicken
It`s a popular dish that originated in France and is named after the French chef Gaston Gerard, who created this recipe with simple yet flavorful ingredients that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. The key to making this delicious meal is using fresh, high-quality ingredients. You will need boneless chicken breasts, mushrooms, shallots, white wine, cream, and butter. To prepare the dish, start by sautéing the mushrooms and shallots in butter until they are soft and tender. Then add the chicken breasts and cook them until they are golden brown on both sides.
Next comes the fun part – adding the white burgundy wine and cream to create a rich sauce that will coat each piece of chicken perfectly.
Pochouse
This hearty and flavorful dish originated in the Burgundy region of France, where it was commonly made by fishermen who used the catch of the day to create a delicious and nourishing meal. Pochouse is traditionally made with freshwater fish, such as perch, pike or carp, along with vegetables like leeks, potatoes, onions and carrots.
One of the unique aspects of pochouse is that it is typically served in two courses. The broth is served first with slices of crusty bread spread with garlic butter before being topped off with grated cheese. The second course consists of the cooked fish and vegetables which are usually presented on a platter alongside boiled potatoes. It’s an indulgent dish that brings together all the flavors and textures of French cuisine.
Jambon a la Chablisienne
A traditional recipe perfect for those who love the combination of meat and wine. Jambon à la Chablisienne is made with ham, which is then cooked in a white wine sauce, along with mushrooms and onions.
To make Jambon à la Chablisienne, you will need a few key ingredients. The first step is to choose a high-quality ham that will be the star of this dish. Next, you will need mushrooms and
One of the unique aspects of pochouse is that it is typically served in two courses. The broth is served first with slices of crusty bread spread with garlic butter before being topped off with grated cheese. The second course consists of the cooked fish and vegetables which are usually presented on a platter alongside boiled potatoes. It’s an indulgent dish that brings together all the flavors and textures of French cuisine.
One of the unique aspects of pochouse is that it is typically served in two courses. The broth is served first with slices of crusty bread spread with garlic butter before being topped off with grated cheese. The second course consists of the cooked fish and vegetables which are usually presented on a platter alongside boiled potatoes. It’s an indulgent dish that brings together all the flavors and textures of French cuisine.
Jambon a la Chablisienne
A traditional recipe perfect for those who love the combination of meat and wine. Jambon à la Chablisienne is made with ham, which is then cooked in a white wine sauce, along with mushrooms and onions.
To make Jambon à la Chablisienne, you will need a few key ingredients. The first step is to choose a high-quality ham that will be the star of this dish. Next, you will need mushrooms and onions to add depth and flavor to the sauce. Finally, you will need some white wine to create the sauce that brings everything together.
Making Jambon à la Chablisienne can be time-consuming but it’s definitely worth it!
Top 6 red and white Burgundy wines for cooking
The wines we present you below are not a grand cru or a premier cru wine but they receive good overall ratings.
Louis Latour – Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Louis Latour Bourgogne Pinot Noir is a wine that comes from the Burgundy region of France. It is made using 100% Pinot Noir grapes, which are handpicked and carefully selected. The grapes are then fermented in traditional wooden vats and aged in French oak barrels for up to 10 months.
Jean Claude Boisset – Bourgogne Pinot Noir Les Ursulines
This burgundy Pinot Noir is an exquisite wine that is highly recommended for wine enthusiasts. The Pinot Noir grape variety used in this wine grows exceptionally well in Burgundy, and it is known to produce some of the finest wines in the world.
Les Ursulines is a vibrant red wine with a velvety texture which features aromas of cherry and blackberry, with hints of vanilla and spice that add depth to its character. It has a long finish that leaves you wanting more, making it an excellent choice for pairing with food or enjoying on its own.
Blason de Bourgogne Bourgogne Pinot Noir
This wine is made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes harvested from the best vineyards in Burgundy. The grapes are handpicked and carefully selected to ensure only the best ones make it to fermentation. The wine has an enticing ruby red color and is known for its delicate aromas of berries and spices.
On the palate, this Pinot Noir offers a smooth and velvety texture with notes of cherry, raspberry, and vanilla. It has a long finish that leaves a pleasant aftertaste on your mouth.
Domaine Jean Collet Chablis 2021
The Domaine Jean Collet Chablis 2021 boasts a vibrant yellow color with hints of green. Its aroma features notes of white fruits, such as pear and apple, combined with floral scents that create an elegant bouquet. On the palate, this wine offers a perfect balance between acidity and minerality, along with subtle flavors of citrus fruits and almond that linger on the finish.
This wine pairs perfectly with seafood dishes such as oysters or grilled fish.
Charly Nicole Petit Chablis 2019
Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, this wine has a pale yellow color with green reflections. On the nose, it offers aromas of citrus fruits such as lemon and grapefruit, as well as floral notes of acacia and hawthorn.
On the palate, Charly Nicole Petit Chablis 2019 is crisp and refreshing with flavors of green apple and pear. It has a good balance between acidity and fruitiness which makes it an ideal pairing for seafood dishes such as oysters, shrimp or grilled fish. This wine is also perfect to be enjoyed on its own during sunny days.
Giraudon – Bourgogne Aligote 2021
This crisp, refreshing white wine hails from the Burgundy region of France and is made from the Aligoté grape variety. It boasts a light golden color in the glass, with aromas of fresh citrus fruits and floral notes.
