Between tradition and high standards, Burgundy embodies the very essence of French winegrowing terroirs. This narrow vineyard stretches over 250 km, with incomparable diversity where every slope and every “climat” tells a story shaped by limestone, wind, and savoir-faire.
A patchwork of terroirs
Burgundy is composed of several major vineyard areas (Côte Chalonnaise and Couchois, Côte de Beaune, Côte de Nuits, Mâconnais, Chablis and Grand Auxerrois), themselves divided into a mosaic of 84 appellations (Village AOCs, Premier Crus, Grand Crus, Regional or Village Appellations). Here, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reign supreme: the former delivers precise, elegant reds, and the latter offers taut, deep whites. Beneath the vines, the Jurassic subsoil — rich in limestone and marl — ensures natural drainage, allowing the roots to dig deep into the earth. This intimate bond between rock and vine gives the wines their unique signature.
A rare and precious wine region
With 30,000 hectares in production, including 24,000 classified as AOC, Burgundy represents just 3% of French vineyards. This exceptional diversity relies on a myriad of “climats”, sometimes only a few ares in size, each conferring its own personality to the wine.
In Burgundy, a “climat” is a precisely defined vineyard parcel, recognized for centuries for its unique soil, exposure, and microclimate. This mosaic imposes a true goldsmith’s work: each parcel is vinified separately, each cuvée raised according to its personality and in absolute respect for its terroir.
Production remains modest — around 1.2 million hectoliters in the last campaign — yet its reputation extends far beyond French borders: two out of three bottles are exported to nearly 180 countries, especially the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
The art of barrel ageing
In Burgundy, the oak barrel is not a stylistic tool but a revealer. It supports the wine without ever overpowering it. For reds, ageing lasts an average of 12 to 18 months, sometimes up to 24 for the most structured cuvées. The proportion of new oak remains measured (10 to 50%), depending on the wine’s power and the philosophy of the estate. Whites spend 10 to 15 months in barrels, often on fine lees, with regular bâtonnage to gain richness and length. The greatest crus reach 18 to 20 months of oak ageing.
Barrels crafted for precision
For Tonnellerie des Clos, a brand of Tonnellerie Saury, each barrel is designed as an extension of the Burgundian terroir. The oak comes 100% from Burgundy forests — Bertranges, Cîteaux… — and the staves are naturally seasoned outdoors in Murlin, Burgundy, for at least 20 months.
Toasts are fine, measured, and adapted to each wine style. The aim: to enhance fruit purity, preserve tension, and respect the winemaker’s hand. This bespoke approach, rooted in local tradition, echoes the philosophy of domaines seeking precision and balance above all.
Burgundy remains a model of balance: precision in craftsmanship, respect for nature, and humility before the terroir. At Tonnellerie Saury, we are guided by the same standards: crafting barrels that express the finesse and soul of Burgundy’s greatest wines.
Meet Amandine, ambassador of Tonnellerie des Clos in Burgundy, a brand of Tonnellerie Saury
After several years in the world of gastronomy and international sommellerie, I felt the desire to reconnect with the land, the vines, and the women and men who make wine.
Naturally, I settled in Beaune in 2018, at the heart of an iconic wine region where every climat and every stone tells a story.
Driven by passion and curiosity, I decided to deepen my technical knowledge by completing a BTS in Viticulture and Oenology, to better understand the complexity of a winemaker’s work from vine to cellar.
Today, I support Burgundy winemakers in selecting their barrels as ambassador of Tonnellerie des Clos, brand of Tonnellerie Saury.
My role is to listen, exchange, and provide tailor-made solutions so each wine can express itself with precision and authenticity.
My role is to listen, exchange, and provide tailor-made solutions so each wine can express itself with precision and authenticity. Every day, I appreciate the richness of this profession: being a link between oak and wine, between cooperage tradition and each winemaker’s vision.
For any information about the Tonnellerie des Clos range: Amandine Sahuquet Burgundy Representative Cell: +33 6 56 67 14 34 Email: amandine.sahuquet@gmail.com
