For those delving into Burgundy – with its centuries-old vineyards and patchwork of parcels – terms like lieu-dit and climat are almost inevitable. They pop up on labels, in conversations with winemakers and while perusing wine lists. But what exactly do they mean, and most importantly, what is the difference?
What is a lieu-dit?
A lieu-dit (plural: lieux-dits) is literally translated a “named place”. In Burgundy, it refers to a specific piece of land with a traditional, often centuries-old, name. It can be a small hill, a valley, a vineyard with a particular shape or location – in short, a geographical indication that has historically originated and is locally recognised.
A lieu-dit does not have to have an official classification. It can be a piece of land within a larger appellation or even within a classified vineyard. Many Burgundy labels (especially in Chablis and the Côte de Nuits) mention the lieu-dit to emphasise the ‘extra’ provenance.
Well-known examples of lieux-dits
- Les Clos in Chablis – the region’s most famous lieu-dit, also classified as a Grand Cru.
- Les Amoureuses in Chambolle-Musigny – officially a Premier Cru, but as a lieu-dit almost as coveted as a Grand Cru.
- Clos de la Roche – a Grand Cru lieu-dit in Morey-Saint-Denis, whose name also immediately constitutes the entire Grand Cru parcel.
And what then is a climat?
A climat is a term unique to Burgundy and goes far beyond mere topography or naming. A climat is an officially recognised piece of vineyard with specific terroir characteristics: soil type, location, microclimate, history and human influence (although the latter is subject to debate). This classification is unique in the wine world and central to the Burgundy philosophy of “provenance above all else”.
In fact, a climat can be a lieu-dit, but not every lieu-dit is a climat. In practice, the terms sometimes overlap, fuelling confusion. But there is one clear difference: climats are officially recognised and are part of Burgundy’s classification system.
Famous climats (which are often also lieux-dits )
- Le Montrachet – one of the most famous Grand Cru climates, between Puligny and Chassagne.
- La Tâche – monopole Grand Cru from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.
- Clos des Lambrays – a walled vineyard in Morey-Saint-Denis, recognised as a climat as well as a Grand Cru.
In 2015, Burgundy’s climats were even included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List – a recognition of the region’s unique relationship between people, nature and viticulture.
So what about on the label?
On labels we then sometimes see the name of a climat or lieu-dit, sometimes both. For example:
Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Folatières”
→ Puligny-Montrachet is the appellation, 1er Cru is the classification, and Les Folatières is the climat (also known as lieu-dit ).
Village wines sometimes include the lieu-dit to specify the origin, for example:
Meursault “Les Narvaux”
→ Not a Premier Cru, but the name of the plot (a lieu-dit) is added for extra nuance.
Why is this important?
For the enthusiast, the difference between a lieu-dit and a climat is not a semantic game. It tells something about the level of detail at which Burgundy wines are understood and made. It also shows how much importance is attached here to the interaction between man, nature and history.
Those who delve into the climats and lieux-dits will discover a Burgundy that goes beyond the familiar names. You will learn, for example, why “Les Saint-Georges” in Nuits-Saint-Georges has been suggested as a possible Grand Cru for decades, or why some Premier Crus (such as “Clos Saint-Jacques” in Gevrey-Chambertin) cost more than some Grand Crus.