Discover Burgundy: Seven Insider Tips Beyond Beaune

When we think of Burgundy, Beaune instantly comes to mind—and with good reason.

The town’s cobbled streets, historic Hospices, and atmospheric wine cellars and wine bars make it a magnet for visitors.

However, the soul of Burgundy is not confined to Beaune. Scattered among rolling vineyards and gentle hills are villages that quietly preserve centuries of winemaking tradition and rural charm—places well worth a visit.

To guide you beyond the obvious, we asked our WSET Level 3 student, Juliana Lins Cruz (Website: Vem Pra Borgonha), a specialist in wine tourism in the region, to share some exciting villages—four to the south and three to the north of Beaune—worth discovering while exploring Burgundy.

Villages to the South of Beaune

Meursault – Chardonnay With a Cinematic Backdrop

Distance: 8 km / 5 mi south of Beaune

Known for its rich, nutty white wines, Meursault also charms with its culture—the church square even appeared in the classic French comedy La Grande Vadrouille. With graceful buildings, lively cafés, and deep wine cellars, the village feels both elegant and welcoming. The Chardonnays here are generous and smooth, often showing flavours of ripe stone fruit, hazelnut, and a touch of smoke. Freshness and bright acidity give them balance, and with time they gain extra depth and complexity.

Chassagne-Montrachet & Puligny-Montrachet – Twin Treasures

Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Beaune

Together, these neighbouring villages share the legendary Grand Cru Montrachet vineyard. A walk through their quiet streets and historic vineyards—names such as Bâtard-Montrachet and Les Pucelles—feels like a masterclass in Burgundy terroir. The wines show the subtle differences between the two villages. Chassagne-Montrachet whites are rich and supple, marked by orchard fruit, toasted nuts, and a mineral touch. By contrast, Puligny-Montrachet whites are precise and elegant, with citrus zest, floral aromas, and chalky freshness. Chassagne also makes a few Pinot Noirs—spicy, juicy, and supple—that reveal another face of the village.

Givry – Character Without the Crowds

Distance: 25 km (16 mi) south of Beaune

Tucked away in the Côte Chalonnaise, Givry offers charm and value in equal measure. Its welcoming square, traditional houses, and approachable wines make it an appealing stop for travellers. Famous for its reds, these wines are juicy and smooth, with aromas of red cherry, raspberry, a touch of violets, and liquorice. These wines are enjoyable young for their freshness and charm, but the best examples gain satisfying depth and complexity with a few years of ageing.

Villages to the North of Beaune

Aloxe-Corton – Where Red Meets White

Distance: 5 km (3 mi) north of Beaune

This peaceful village is home to something rare: both a red Grand Cru (Corton) and a white Grand Cru (Corton-Charlemagne). Surrounded by vineyard-draped slopes, Aloxe-Corton blends elegant châteaux with rustic stone houses, making it a perfect stop for wine lovers. The reds are powerful and structured, ranging from earthy and firm to smooth and silky depending on the vineyard site, while the whites are powerful and mineral-driven, with citrus, green apple, and almond notes lifted by bright acidity—wines that benefit from time in the cellar.

Gevrey-Chambertin – A Noble Pinot Noir Heartland

Distance: 15 km (9 mi) north of Beaune

On the Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin is renowned for its powerful reds, including the legendary Chambertin—said to be Napoleon’s favourite. With its quiet charm and historic estates, it’s the perfect starting point for exploring Burgundy’s most structured Pinot Noirs. The wines are robust and full-bodied, showing intense aromas of black and red berries with a touch of spice. Built on firm tannins and deep concentration, they reward long ageing, developing earthy, gamey complexity over decades.

Vosne-Romanée – Discretion and Legend

Distance: 20 km (12 mi) north of Beaune

The tiny Vosne-Romanée is home to some of the world’s most iconic vineyards: Romanée-Conti, Richebourg, Romanée-Saint-Vivant, and more. Even without tasting these famed wines, walking through its stone-walled vineyards feels like a pilgrimage for wine lovers. The wines themselves are the epitome of Pinot Noir—silky, perfumed, and profound—with aromas of violet, rose petal, exotic spice, and ripe red fruit. With their velvety texture and extraordinary depth, they evolve gracefully for decades, combining sensuality with longevity.

A Different Taste of Burgundy

These villages remind us that Burgundy is not only about famous names but also about atmosphere, heritage, and the slower rhythms of rural life. Beyond Beaune, each stop offers its own wine personality, history, and authenticity—perfect ingredients for a journey with lasting memories.

Want to Know More About Burgundy?

Our WSET wine courses offer you the ideal opportunity to build your wine knowledge step by step. In the  WSET Level 2 course, you’ll gain a solid introduction: you’ll learn about the key appellations, taste classic wines from Burgundy, and discover how climate, soils and grape varieties shape flavour. This way, you’ll gain confidence in tasting, describing and choosing wines.

In the WSET Level 3  course, you’ll go even deeper and develop a professional understanding of the Burgundy wine region. You’ll compare different appellations and classifications and learn how terroir, winemaking and ageing influence the character and quality of a wine. It’s the perfect choice for anyone looking to take their wine knowledge to expert level or to work professionally with wine.

Wine Tours in Burgundy

If you are eager to discover the region in person, with winery visits and tastings of hidden gems, contact Juliana Lins Cruz (juliana@vempraborgonha.com.br) for a tailor-made experience. And if you’d like to dive into stories, tips, and insights about Burgundy, don’t miss Juliana’s blog.

Here’s the official map of Burgundy for you to download:

Map_Burgundy.pdf

Download PDF • 1.60MB