Fine wine news

The climats of Burgundy vineyards could become a UNESCO World Heritage site if its application is accepted.

Residents of Dijon, Beaune, Nuits-SaintGeorges and Gevrey-Chambertin, as well as the Burgundy Wine Board (BIVB) and Cote-d'Or general council are all hoping to put a bid in to make the climats a heritage site for 2013.

If successful, 50 kilometres of land and 1,247 individual climats will become protected under UNESCO and could lead to increased tourism to the area.

However, all 21 member states of the World Heritage Commission must agree to include the region and even Champagne has so far been unsuccessful.

The term 'climats' refers to each plot of vines which have been known under the same name for centuries. The location, soil, micro-climate and their history must be unique and form the specific nature and personality of a wine.

According to the BIVB, the Burgundy Cote is the only vineyard in the world to have continuously upheld the identity of its climats for over 2,000 years.

Joining France's bid will be 25,000-year-old cave paintings in the Grotte Ornee Chauvet-Pont d'Arc.

Posted by Brian Hughes