What Defines a Climat
Each climat is a named plot of land with distinct characteristics:
- Soil — specific geological composition (limestone, marl, clay, gravel)
- Exposition — the direction the vineyard faces (south, southeast, etc.)
- Altitude — position on the slope affects temperature and drainage
- Microclimate — local weather patterns, air flow, frost risk
How Climats Differ from Terroir
While terroir is a broad concept encompassing all natural factors, a climat is a specific, physically bounded parcel with a recognised name and legal definition. Burgundy has over 1,000 named climats across the Côte d'Or.
Climats and Wine Character
Adjacent climats can produce remarkably different wines. In Vosne-Romanée:
- La Romanée (Grand Cru) — produces the world's most expensive wine
- La Grande Rue (Grand Cru) — just metres away, different character
- Malconsorts (Premier Cru) — adjacent, distinct again
UNESCO Recognition
In 2015, the Climats of Burgundy were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, acknowledging that these vineyard parcels represent 2,000 years of human knowledge about terroir — a living cultural landscape.