Wine from the Burgundy region of France is known for its wide range of colors, from very pale and transparent whites to dark and opaque reds. The color of a Burgundy wine depends on several factors, most importantly the grape variety and winemaking techniques used. Understanding what contributes to the color of these iconic wines can help wine lovers appreciate and select bottles from this storied French region.
Major Grape Varieties of Burgundy
There are two major grape varieties used to produce the majority of wines from Burgundy:
– Pinot Noir – a red grape variety used to make red Burgundy wines. It produces wines with light to medium body and colors ranging from light ruby to garnet and brick red hues.
– Chardonnay – a white grape variety used to make white Burgundy wines. It makes wines with colors ranging from very pale, light yellow to deep golden yellow.
Other grapes like Aligoté, Gamay, and Pinot Blanc are also used in the region, but Pinot Noir and Chardonnay account for the significant majority of Burgundy wines. The color profile of a Burgundy wine is largely determined by whether it is based on Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.
Factors Influencing Color
Several factors during viticulture and winemaking impact the final color of Burgundy wines:
– Grape variety – As mentioned, red wines made from Pinot Noir and white wines made from Chardonnay start with different pigment potential.
– Skin contact – Red wines ferment with prolonged skin contact, allowing extraction of anthocyanin pigments from the grape skins. Whites have little to no skin contact.
– Oak aging – Barrel aging red and white wines in oak imparts compounds that stabilize and potentially darken color. Longer oak aging results in darker colors.
– Blending – Some red Burgundy wines blend in small amounts of Pinot Blanc, lightening color. Whites may incorporate darker Aligoté.
– Winemaking style – Whole cluster pressing whites minimizes skin contact and makes very pale colors. Red wine methods like cold soaks maximize color extraction.
– Age/maturity – Over time, red wines lose brightness and take on more brick-like hues. Aged white wines darken to golden and eventually amber tones.
Typical Color Profile by Burgundy Wine Type
Here is an overview of the usual range of colors associated with the major types of Burgundy wines:
| Burgundy Wine Type | Common Color Range |
|---|---|
| Bourgogne Blanc (White Burgundy) | Very pale yellow to medium golden yellow |
| Chablis | Pale yellow with green tints to light gold |
| Bourgogne Rouge (Red Burgundy) | Light ruby red to garnet |
| Crémant de Bourgogne (Sparkling White) | Pale yellow to light gold |
| Crémant de Bourgogne (Sparkling Rosé) | Light pink to salmon |
As illustrated, white Burgundy wines tend to range from very pale to deep golden in color. Red Burgundy wines are typically lighter hued, with more variation based on specific appellation and vineyard origin.
Key Appellations and Their Color Profiles
More specific Burgundy appellations and vineyards are also associated with particular color profiles:
– Côte de Beaune whites – Ranging from pale yellow to deep golden, with Meursault at the deeper colored end.
– Côte de Beaune reds – Light to medium ruby red, with Volnay and Pommard darker.
– Côte de Nuits whites – Deeper golden colors, with Montrachet the deepest.
– Côte de Nuits reds – Paler ruby to bright cherry red, with Gevrey-Chambertin and Morey-St-Denis the darkest.
– Chablis whites – Extremely pale yellow with green hues.
– Mâconnais whites – Very pale yellow to light golden.
– Beaujolais reds – Violet-red with youthful purplish tints.
These color profiles emerge from the combination of grape, terroir, winemaking and oak aging typical for each appellation. Consumers can use color as a cue about what to expect from a bottle.
White Wine Color and Quality
For white Burgundy wines, color is not necessarily an indicator of quality. Some outstanding Grand Cru white Burgundies are fermented and aged oxidatively in oak, developing rich golden hues. At the same time, delicately handled Premier Cru Chablis wines can retain an extremely pale color. Winemaking practices tailored to accentuate terroir are more important than color alone.
Red Wine Color and Quality
For red Burgundy wines, a pale garnet or ruby color is usually a marker of higher quality Pinot Noir. These translucent reds reflect gentle handling and winemaking focused on finesse and complexity over power and extraction. Heavily extracted wines with dense, dark purple colors are atypical for the region. Lightness and translucence are viewed positively when evaluating quality.
Effects of Vintage and Age on Color
Vintage variation and age both impact the final color of Burgundy wines:
– Cooler vintages result in lighter, more delicate colors for both reds and whites. In warmer years, wines achieve deeper, more saturated colors.
– Older red wines lose brightness and take on more tawny, brick-like hues with age as pigments evolve. Aged white wines darken from yellow to deep gold to amber.
– Well-aged red Burgundies showcase a pale garnet rim with an orange tinge, which connoisseurs look for as a sign of maturity.
The colors of Burgundy wines tell a wine’s story, reflecting vintage character, winemaking approach, and aging potential.
Tasting Tips Based on Color
It is useful for tasters to pay attention to the visual clues offered by the color of a Burgundy wine:
– Very pale whites or translucent reds often indicate more delicate, lower-alcohol wines best served lightly chilled.
– Deeply golden whites and saturated purple reds generally denote riper, more full-bodied wines that can be served slightly warmer.
– Brick red hues in an aged red are a good indicator it requires decanting and can pair with hearty foods.
– An amber edge on an old white Burgundy suggests lovely toasted, nutty flavors that work beautifully with rich dishes.
So use color as a simple guide to gauge the weight and intensity of a Burgundy wine when tasting.
Conclusion
The diverse colors of wines from Burgundy provide visual insights into the grape variety, terroir, winemaking approach, and ageability of the different bottlings. Light and transparent Pinot Noir based reds, very pale Chardonnay whites from Chablis, and rich golden old vine examples all have an important place in the spectrum of Burgundy wine color. Paying attention to color gives clues on serving temperature and food pairings, allowing full appreciation of these storied wines.
