Savvy Wine Studies

Burgundy 1er Crus – 23×1 (statistics)

Using statistics to reveal the tip-top examples of Burgundy 1er Crus

The site Delectable is an incredible resource, especially helpful in learning about producers. For a complex region such as Burgundy, with many sub-appellations, one can benefit from a helping hand. Delectable works like an Instagram for wine lovers, who upload photos of their great wines into the public database.

While the individal rating scores of various wines are largely arbitrary, averaging to 9.1 for most decent wines, the rating numbers are telling. Often, a particular appellation will feature a particualr wine from a single producer, which seems to outnumber the rest by a wide margin. For example, in Morey-Saint-Denis, the most-frequently rated 1er Cru is the “Clos de la Bussière” monopole by Georges Roumier, with 383 total ratings. The 2nd place winner is Domaine Dujac “Monts-Luisants”, with 86 ratings. A 445% difference! Indeed, Roumier is one of the essential producers from Morey.

The pattern of disparate appearance rates can be used as an advatage, when studying regional wine producers of prominence. Listed below, from north to south, are the Village Appellations of the Côte d’Or in Burgundy. For each Village, a single wine has been inducated, which is featured in a statically meaningful way on Delectable. When the numbers are close between a few options, favor is given to Crus which are made by multiple producers. Monopole Crus are also highlighted.