The colors burgundy and red are often used interchangeably, but there are some key differences between them. Burgundy is a darker, richer shade of red that has a purplish tint. Both burgundy and red sit next to each other on the color wheel, with burgundy leaning a little more towards the purple side. While all burgundy colors are considered reds, not all reds are burgundies.
When it comes to wine, burgundy (pronounced “bur-GUN-dee”) refers to wines made in the Burgundy region of France, which are produced from Pinot Noir grapes. Burgundy wines are known for their earthy, mineral qualities and range from light reds to deeper purples. Wines described as “red burgundies” are burgundy wines that sit on the redder end of the burgundy color spectrum.
So in summary:
– Burgundy is a shade of red that has purple undertones
– All burgundies are reds, but not all reds are burgundy
– In wine, burgundy refers to wines from the Burgundy region of France, which range in color from lighter reds to deep purples
The History of Burgundy
Burgundy’s history as a color and a wine is deeply intertwined with the history of the Burgundy region of France. As a wine, burgundy has been produced in this region for centuries. As a color, burgundy got its name from the wines produced here.
Wine production in Burgundy dates back to the Roman times in the 1st century AD. The Romans cultivated vineyards to produce wine. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Catholic monks in Burgundy continued the winemaking tradition. By the Middle Ages, Burgundy wines were traded and recognized all over Europe.
Over the centuries, Burgundy developed a reputation for producing some of the world’s finest, most sought-after wines. The Pinot Noir grape, which produces light to deep red wines, thrived in the limestone-rich soil and cool climate. Burgundy wines like those from the Côte d’Or (the Golden Slopes) commanded high prices and gained prestige. By the 17th century, “burgundy” became synonymous with the red wines of this region.
As a color name, burgundy came into use in the 18th century, derived from these famous red wines. Other deep reds were described at the time as “near burgundy” or “not quite burgundy”. The name stuck as a way to describe rich, earthy reds the color of fine Burgundy wines.
So burgundy’s progression went something like this:
– 1st century: Burgundy develops as a winemaking region in France
– Middle Ages: Burgundy wines gain acclaim in Europe
– 17th century: The name “burgundy” becomes tied to the red wines of Burgundy
– 18th century: Burgundy becomes established as a color name inspired by the red wines
Burgundy vs Red – How They Compare
Though the burgundy and red color ranges overlap a lot, there are some key differences between the two:
Hue
– Burgundy usually has a slightly purplish/blueish hue while red is a primary color on the RGB or RYB color models.
Shades
– True reds include colors like scarlet, crimson, cherry red, fire engine red. Burgundy sits on the darker end of the red spectrum.
Tones
– Burgundy colors are richer and deeper in tone compared to bright, vivid reds. Think deep plums, wines, berries vs hot red, fire red.
Context
– Burgundy is more associated with elegance, luxury, old world charm. Red has a bold, youthful, energetic feel.
Use in fashion
– In fashion, burgundy is a popular fall/winter color seen in wines, purples, plums. Red excels as a vibrant accent color for any season.
No undertones, primary color
| Burgundy | Red |
|---|---|
| More purple/blue undertones | |
| Deep, rich shades | Vivid, bright shades |
| Luxe, elegant feel | Youthful, energetic feel |
| Popular in winter | Striking accent any season |
So while red and burgundy occupy the same color family, burgundy shades have a deeper, more subtle effect compared to bright, unambiguous reds.
Burgundy vs Red – Comparing Hex Codes
Hex color codes provide another way to compare burgundy and red shades. Hex codes are six-digit codes that represent colors in RGB (red, green, blue) format. Two digits each are used to represent the levels of red, green and blue in a particular color.
Let’s look at some examples:
Burgundy Hex Codes
– #800020 – A rich, deep burgundy
– #900020 – A slightly lighter burgundy
– #7B1113 – A red-based burgundy
Red Hex Codes
– #FF0000 – Maximum red, no green or blue
– #F70000 – A lighter, softened red
– #ED0A3F – A vibrant magenta-red
As the codes show, burgundy colors have less red than pure reds, plus extra blue. This gives them a darker, subtler effect than bright reds.
Burgundy vs Red – Comparing CMYK Values
In CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color format, amounts of cyan, magenta, yellow and black pigments are combined to create different colors.
The CMYK values also highlight the difference between burgundy and red:
Burgundy CMYK Values
– 30, 100, 60, 40 (Deep burgundy)
– 20, 100, 50, 30 (Lighter burgundy)
Red CMYK Values
– 0, 100, 100, 0 (Bright red)
– 0, 90, 80, 0 (Orange-leaning red)
Burgundies contain less cyan and yellow pigment than pure reds, giving them those purplish undertones. Burgundies also have more black pigment, creating deeper, darker shades than most reds.
Burgundy vs Red – Comparing Names
There are over 1000 named colors across different color systems. Here are some more examples comparing burgundy and red color names:
Burgundy Color Names
– Oxblood
– Cordovan
– Merlot
– Plum
– Sangria
– Maroon
Red Color Names
– Scarlet
– Crimson
– Ruby
– Cherry
– Fire engine
– Rust
– Cardinal
Many burgundy shades take their names from fruits, wines and rich materials that have those deeper red-purple tones. Names for brighter reds often relate to vivid objects like fire or gems.
Burgundy vs Red – In Fashion and Design
In fashion, burgundy and red occupy distinct roles:
Burgundy in Fashion
– Often seen in fall/winter collections
– Commonly used in formalwear
– Works well in vintage, romantic styles
– Provides an elegant, luxurious accent
Red in Fashion
– Striking accent color any season
– Used widely in casual, athletic, youthful styles
– Often seen in pop, graphic prints and patterns
– Provides a bold, lively contrast in outfits
Burgundy’s melancholic, old world feel makes it perfect for polished looks. Red’s fiery energy excels at creating fun, eye-catching accents.
In interior design, burgundy and red are both popular accent colors that create very different moods:
– Burgundy – Sophisticated, intimate spaces
– Red – Energetic, stimulating spaces
So burgundy suits formal, cozy spaces while red excels in lively, informal designs.
Burgundy vs Red – Common Confusions
Because burgundy is technically a shade of red, it’s common for the two terms to be confused or used interchangeably. Here are some of the common ways the two colors are mixed up:
– Describing any reddish shade as “burgundy”
– Calling deeper reds “burgundy” when they may be just dark reds
– Referring to red wines from outside Burgundy as “burgundies”
– Using “burgundy” when “maroon” or “oxblood” would be more accurate
– Calling all burgundy colors just “red”
– Assuming a burgundy item is incorrect if it isn’t a vivid red
Remember, burgundy is deeply red with purple/blue undertones. While the two colors overlap, not every red is a burgundy, and vice versa.
Burgundy vs Red – Wine Comparisons
In wine terminology, comparing reds and burgundies gets especially confusing. Here’s a breakdown:
Burgundy wines
– Made from Pinot Noir grapes
– Grown in the Burgundy region of France
– Range from light red to deep purple
Red wines
– Made from any red grape varieties
– Grown anywhere red grapes are cultivated
– Vary hugely in color from pink to near-black
So all burgundy wines are red, but only wines from Burgundy are true “burgundies”. Other red wines range from light reds similar to burgundy to vivid purples and near-black shades.
Common non-burgundy red wines include:
– Cabernet Sauvignon
– Merlot
– Pinot Noir from outside Burgundy
– Red blends
– Red Zinfandel
– Syrah/Shiraz
While they are all red wines, their color profiles cover the whole red spectrum. Only Pinot Noir-based wines from Burgundy should be called burgundies.
Conclusion
So in summary, burgundy is a deep reddish-purple color that gets its name from the famous wines of Burgundy, France. While burgundy is considered a shade of red, it has more blue/purple undertones compared to pure reds. In fashion and design, burgundy adds a luxe, elegant touch while red creates bold, lively accents. Understanding the nuances between these two rich color ranges helps designers, fashionistas and wine enthusiasts alike apply them more accurately.