Tasting In person

Burgundy Masterclass — Chablis to Chambolle

Eight wines. One Master of Wine. A systematic journey through Burgundy's appellation hierarchy, from Chablis chalk to Chambolle silk. Numbers limited to 16.

The wines

01
Chablis Premier Cru

Chardonnay from the northernmost Burgundy sub-region; the chalk and Kimmeridgian limestone give a lean, mineral, oyster-shell character.

02
Mâcon-Villages

Southern Burgundy Chardonnay at its most approachable — riper fruit, less mineral austerity than Chablis.

03
Saint-Véran

A step up in concentration and length; shows the transition between Mâcon and Pouilly-Fuissé styles.

04
Bourgogne Rouge

A village-level Pinot Noir to establish a baseline for the appellation hierarchy.

05
Gevrey-Chambertin village

Côte de Nuits — darker fruit, firmer structure than the lighter Côte de Beaune style.

06
Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru

Premier Cru; shows the step change from village level — more complexity and grip.

07
Chambolle-Musigny village

The most elegant commune in the Côte de Nuits — perfumed, silky, lighter than Gevrey.

08
Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru "Les Charmes"

Premier Cru from arguably the finest village in Burgundy; violet, red cherry, fine silk tannin.

What the evening covers

The session opens at 18:30 with an introduction to Burgundy's geography and appellation structure — the Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune and the outlying sub-regions (Chablis in the north, Mâconnais in the south). The tasting then moves systematically through eight wines, building from lighter and less complex to more concentrated and structured. The Master of Wine leading the session provides detailed notes on each wine and takes questions throughout.

The aim is to make the appellation hierarchy legible in the glass — to give you a sensory reference for what Premier Cru means compared to village level, and to establish a palate benchmark for Chablis character versus Côte de Nuits Chardonnay. Both are Chardonnay; their differences are entirely a product of terroir.

About 67 Pall Mall

67 Pall Mall is a private members' wine club in London with one of the most extensive wine lists in the UK. The club runs an ongoing education programme of masterclasses, producer dinners and vertical tastings. Non-member tickets for selected events are made available; this Burgundy masterclass is one of those open events.

Booking: 67 Pall Mall. Specific wines and producers subject to change. Session limited to 16 participants — book early. Corrections via the contact form.

Related

02 · Place — Guide Appellations explained News · Harvest and vintage Burgundy 2026 harvest Glossary Terroir Events All wine events

Questions

About Burgundy and this masterclass.

What experience level is this masterclass suitable for?
The session is aimed at wine enthusiasts who have some existing interest in Burgundy — perhaps you have tried a few Burgundies, read about the region, or completed a WSET Level 2 or equivalent. A complete beginner might find the density of appellation detail overwhelming. If you are new to wine entirely, start with the How to taste wine guide and the online beginners' tasting before tackling a regional masterclass.
Why is Burgundy so complex compared to other wine regions?
Burgundy's complexity comes from two overlapping systems. First, the appellation hierarchy: the same slope can contain regional, village, Premier Cru and Grand Cru plots within a few hundred metres, each with distinct pricing and legal requirements. Second, fragmented ownership: following the French Revolution and the Napoleonic inheritance laws, large estates were divided among multiple heirs over generations. The same Grand Cru vineyard (e.g., Clos de Vougeot — 50 hectares) may have 80+ different owners, each making wine differently. For how appellation hierarchies work, see the Appellations explained guide.
What is the difference between Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune?
Both form the Côte d'Or ("golden slope"), the heart of Burgundy. The Côte de Nuits (north) is dominated by red wine — Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges — and contains the majority of the region's Grand Crus. The Côte de Beaune (south) produces both outstanding white Burgundy (Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet) and important reds (Volnay, Pommard, Corton). Style difference: Côte de Nuits reds tend to be darker-fruited, firmer and more age-worthy; Côte de Beaune reds are often more floral and elegant. See the terroir entry for why geography creates these differences.
How are Burgundy wines priced?
Burgundy pricing follows the appellation hierarchy closely. Regional Bourgogne AOC (entry level) ranges from £12–25. Village wines from top communes (Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny) typically cost £30–70. Premier Cru starts around £50 and rises to several hundred pounds for top sites. Grand Cru ranges from £100 to thousands per bottle; Romanée-Conti (Domaine de la Romanée-Conti) reaches five figures. The combination of tiny production, global demand and critical attention drives prices at the top end. For how to use a style questionnaire to identify which level of Burgundy to start with, see the style questionnaire.
Is the 2026 Burgundy vintage worth buying?
Early assessments of the 2026 Burgundy harvest are positive — a dry July reduced yields across the Côte d'Or by around 20%, concentrating flavours, and a clean September allowed picking without disease pressure. Conditions mirror the well-regarded 2010 and 2019 vintages. See the Burgundy 2026 harvest report for full details. Note that 2026 wines will not reach retail shelves until late 2027 at the earliest for village-level wines.