Decoding Burgundy's Villages

Côte de Nuits Stars

Gevrey-Chambertin (zhev-RAY sham-ber-TAN) - Burgundy's largest red wine village - Nine Grand Crus including Le Chambertin - Masculine, structured wines - Try: Denis Mortet, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet (€40-60)

Morey-Saint-Denis (mor-RAY san-duh-NEE) - Often overlooked between famous neighbors - Five Grand Crus, relative values - Combines Gevrey power with Chambolle elegance - Try: Domaine Ponsot, Hubert Lignier (€45-65)

Chambolle-Musigny (sham-BOWL moo-see-NYEE) - Burgundy's most elegant wines - "Silky and lacy" classic description - Le Musigny Grand Cru sets the standard - Try: Domaine Roumier, Ghislaine Barthod (€50-70)

Vosne-Romanée (vone ro-man-AY) - Home to Romanée-Conti, world's most expensive wine - Six Grand Crus in one village - Velvety texture, exotic spice - Try: Domaine Jean Grivot, Sylvain Cathiard (€60-80)

Nuits-Saint-Georges (nwee-san-ZHORJ) - No Grand Crus but excellent Premiers Crus - Earthier, more rustic style - Great ageability - Try: Domaine de l'Arlot, Robert Chevillon (€40-60)

Côte de Beaune Highlights

Corton (cor-TAWN) - Only red Grand Cru in Côte de Beaune - Also makes Grand Cru white (Corton-Charlemagne) - Often best value Grand Cru - Try: Domaine Tollot-Beaut, Pierre André (€60-100)

Beaune (bone) - Wine capital, no Grand Crus - Excellent Premier Crus often overlooked - Home to Hospices de Beaune charity auction - Try: Domaine des Croix, Bouchard Père & Fils (€30-50)

Pommard (pom-MAR) - Powerful, tannic reds - No Grand Crus but serious wines - Needs age to show best - Try: Domaine de Courcel, Comte Armand (€40-60)

Volnay (vol-NAY) - Pommard's elegant neighbor - Lighter, more perfumed style - Excellent Premier Crus - Try: Marquis d'Angerville, Michel Lafarge (€45-65)

Meursault (muhr-SO) - White wine capital (no Grand Crus) - Rich, nutty Chardonnays - Premier Crus rival any Grand Cru - Try: Domaine Roulot, Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey (€50-80)

Puligny-Montrachet (poo-lee-NYEE mon-rah-SHAY) - Half of Le Montrachet Grand Cru - Mineral, precise Chardonnays - Four Grand Crus for white wine - Try: Domaine Leflaive, Paul Pernot (€60-100)

Chassagne-Montrachet (shah-SAHN-yuh mon-rah-SHAY) - Other half of Le Montrachet - Makes excellent reds too (often values) - More powerful whites than Puligny - Try: Domaine Ramonet, Bernard Moreau (€50-80)