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The Climats of Burgundy: 10 Years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The year 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the inscription of the Climats of Burgundy on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A term specific to Burgundy, “Climats” refers to a wine-growing terroir that combines a specific plot of land, a grape variety, and winemaking expertise. Among the highlights of the 10th anniversary of their recognition, a conference on the geology of the Chablis vineyards took place on May 22, while a Symposium on the Climats will be held on December 3, 4, and 5, 2025.
The Climats of Burgundy: Between Scientific and Viticultural Knowledge
The Climats of Burgundy do not refer to meteorology. They refer to “a vineyard plot, gradually and precisely demarcated by humans, and recognized by its name for centuries” (The Climats of the Burgundy vineyards). Each Climat is distinguished by its own unique geological, hydrometric, and exposure characteristics. The concept of the Climats of Burgundy dates back at least to the Early Middle Ages, a period when remarkable wine production developed in this region.
The Kimmeridgian: the geological heart and defining feature of the “Chablis” AOP terroir
A roundtable discussion on the Kimmeridgian was organized by the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne on May 22, 2025, in Chablis (Yonne). The event brought together Éric VINCENT, a terroir and appellation delimitation engineer at the INAO’s Center-East delegation; Lucie DEPUYDT of Maison J. Moreau et Fils; and Guillaume MORVAN of the Association Bio-Bourgogne. This presentation provided an opportunity to revisit the geological concept of “Kimmeridgian” and to trace its connection to Chablis viticulture from both historical and scientific perspectives. The “Chablis region” is a small, well-defined area corresponding to the hills bordering the Serein Valley, a tributary of the Yonne. It is within this unique geographical area that Chablis AOP, a dry white Burgundy wine, is produced. Its geology has a key impact on the vineyards of the Chablis region and the quality of Chablis AOP wine, renowned for its exceptional terroir.
The Climats Symposium, December 3, 4, and 5, 2025
A symposium titled “The Climats of the Burgundy Vineyards: Ten Years as a World Heritage Site! What’s Next?” will bring 2025 to a close on December 3, 4, and 5. Organized by the Association des Climats, the event will consist of three days of discussions and exchanges in Beaune and Dijon (Côte-d’Or). Ten years after their inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, our understanding of the Climats of Burgundy has deepened. Featuring lectures, roundtable discussions, and field visits, this symposium will shed light on the future of the Climats of Burgundy in light of the knowledge gained over these past ten years. This event will thus provide an opportunity to discuss the preservation and transmission of the cultural heritage of the World Heritage-listed wine-growing sites.