Burgundy wine History

Burgundy is a place, a sprit, a wine- in brief- a world; and so it has been for centuries. The history of Burgundy began in the 5th century with the invasion of the Burgundii, a fairly peaceful barbarian people who originated in Scandinavia. After the fall of the Roman Empire they wandered for some time before settling in a fertile region to the east of what was then Gaul. They formed themselves into kingdom and it was Burgundii princess, Clotilde , who married the famous Frankish king Clovis . Subject first to rule by the Merovingian, and then the Carolingian empire, Burgundia remained an independent kingdom until the 9th century when, under the impetus of Richard d'Autun, called the just , it became a demotion , but in fact, it was under the rule of these dukes that Burgundy made its mark on history. 

One of the most remarkable dukes of Burgundy was Phillip the Bold, thus named because he fought so bravely in the battle of Poitiers when he was only 17 years old. Others victories followed, and other conquests, the most profitable of which was a private one – marriage to Marguerite of Flanders in 1369. She brought as a dowry the area of Europe now known as Benelux and at a stroke doubled the size of the duchy of Burgundy. For several years Phillip virtually deserted Dijon and spent most of his time at his Chateaux in Ghent and Bruges.

This Powerful duke of Burgundy was very keen on wine-growing, it was he, for example, who forbade the growing of Gamay, a grape of which he did not approve, and ordered Beaune to be served with meals at court. It was also Phillip the Bold who introduced the custom of the “Banquet”, where the guests ate seated and benched round the table. In addition, he was the first host to present a menu, and then called an esciteau, to his guests. After a life full of ostentation, pleasure and plenty, Phillip the Bold died in 1405 a ruined but happy man.

See Burgundy Map

DfR Burgundy wine selection