Coteaux Bourguignons AOC

Coteaux Bourguignons AOC was established in November 2011, replacing two older designations: Bourgogne Ordinaire and Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire. The appellation covers the entire Burgundy region, stretching from the area around Auxerre in the north down toward Beaujolais in the south. It sits at the regional level, representing the broadest and most accessible tier of Burgundy's appellation hierarchy.

• Formerly known as Bourgogne Ordinaire and Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire before the 2011 reform
• Spans all four Burgundy departments: Yonne, Côte-d'Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais
• Geographic labels such as Hautes-Côtes de Nuits and Hautes-Côtes de Beaune are permitted on the label
• Producers can legally de-classify wines from higher Burgundy appellations into this tier

No other Burgundy AOC permits as broad a varietal mix as Coteaux Bourguignons. Red and rosé wines may be produced from Pinot Noir, Gamay, and, in the Yonne department, César and Tressot, either as varietal wines or as blends. This makes Pinot Noir and Gamay blends a defining characteristic of the appellation. White wines are produced from Chardonnay, Aligoté, Melon de Bourgogne, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Sacy, and represent approximately a quarter of total annual production.

• Red wines permit blending of Pinot Noir and Gamay, unlike most other Burgundy AOCs
• César and Tressot are authorized in the Yonne department only
• White varieties include Chardonnay, Aligoté, Melon de Bourgogne, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Sacy
• White wines make up roughly 25 percent of annual output

The regulations governing Coteaux Bourguignons are more generous than those for the basic Bourgogne AOC. Maximum yields are set at 64 hl/ha for reds and rosés, and 72 hl/ha for whites. Minimum alcohol is 10 percent across both color categories. There is no mandatory barrel aging requirement, though some producers choose to age wines for six to twelve months. The appellation is designed for wines meant to be consumed young, with an emphasis on freshness and fruit character rather than cellar potential.

• Maximum yields: 64 hl/ha for reds and rosés; 72 hl/ha for whites
• Minimum alcohol level: 10 percent for both reds and whites
• No mandatory barrel aging, though voluntary 6 to 12 month aging does occur
• Wines are produced for early consumption, not extended cellaring

Coteaux Bourguignons sits at the base of Burgundy's appellation pyramid, below the regional Bourgogne AOC. Its pan-Burgundian scope and flexible blending rules make it the most inclusive AOC in the region. Because higher-tier producers can declassify wines into this appellation, it can occasionally offer quality above its station. The combination of cool climate, diverse soils, and a wide range of permitted varieties means wine style and quality can vary considerably across producers.

• Lowest AOC tier within the Burgundy regional hierarchy
• Sits below Bourgogne AOC but above Vin de France for Burgundy-grown grapes
• Higher-appellation producers may declassify into Coteaux Bourguignons
• Cool climate and diverse soils across four departments create wide stylistic variation