After a string of challenging years marked by frost, hail, drought, and drastically low yields, the 2022 vintage in Burgundy has offered something of a reprieve — a vintage that combines generosity, charm, and classic character. For both growers and drinkers, it is a vintage to celebrate; one that may restore balance not just in the glass, but in Burgundy’s wine economy.
A Much-Needed Return to Abundance
Following the frost-ravaged 2021 vintage, where yields across the Côte d’Or were among the lowest in living memory, 2022 brought a genuine sigh of relief. The growing season started early and unfolded with relatively few disruptions. Flowering was even and successful, and despite the hot and dry summer, the vines held up remarkably well.
Thanks to adequate winter rainfall and occasional storms during the growing season, water stress was largely avoided — a key factor that sets 2022 apart from other recent warm vintages like 2020. As a result, growers across both the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits reported healthy yields and excellent grape quality. For the first time in several years, producers could breathe easier — many finally had enough wine to begin replenishing depleted cellars and meet the longstanding demand of their mailing lists.
Pinot Noir: Ripe, Silky, and Pure
The Pinot Noir wines of 2022 show ripeness and elegance, with fine tannins, vibrant fruit, and outstanding balance. Alcohol levels are generally moderate (13.5–14%), and acidity is fresh and lively — an encouraging sign given the warmth of the season, and a testament to the Burgundian winemaker’s skill in managing warm-vintage fruit.
Stylistically, the 2022 reds fall somewhere between the structure of 2019 and the silkiness of 2020, with a touch more lift and classical Burgundian character than either. The best examples, particularly from cooler terroirs or producers who favoured gentle extraction, offer a beautiful interplay between vibrant red fruit and the savoury, earthy complexity that distinguishes great Pinot Noir from merely excellent Pinot Noir.
Chardonnay: Expressive and Harmonious
The 2022 whites are among the best produced in Burgundy in recent years, particularly from the southern communes of Chassagne-Montrachet, Meursault, and Puligny-Montrachet. Thanks to even ripening and well-retained acidity, the wines display lively freshness, precise minerality, and layered fruit expression. Alcohol levels are balanced, and oak is well-integrated throughout, allowing the purity of the Chardonnay fruit and terroir to shine.
There is a sense of energy and tension in the best 2022 whites — the hallmarks of a truly great Chardonnay vintage. This is especially noteworthy given the warmth of the season, and is a testament to Burgundy’s increasingly adaptable viticulture and the resilience of its ancient, deep-rooted vineyards.
Village by Village: Where 2022 Shines
Gevrey-Chambertin (Côte de Nuits)
The most structured and “masculine” commune of the Côte de Nuits delivered wines of real depth and classical proportion in 2022. Look for firm, earthy reds with excellent tannin structure and long aging potential. At Premier Cru level, wines like Les Cazetiers and Clos Saint-Jacques are particularly impressive.
Chambolle-Musigny (Côte de Nuits)
Chambolle’s famously perfumed, silky style finds excellent expression in 2022. The warmth of the season gave the wines generous fruit without sacrificing the delicacy that defines the appellation. An outstanding village for those seeking approachable Burgundy from a great vintage.
Meursault (Côte de Beaune)
Perhaps the star commune for whites in 2022. Meursault’s already generous, nutty style gained additional richness from the warm season while retaining the freshness needed for elegance. Premier Cru wines from Les Génevrières, Les Charmes, and Les Perrières are showing beautifully.
Puligny-Montrachet (Côte de Beaune)
More precise and mineral than Meursault, the 2022 Puligny wines show the tension and energy that define great years here. The Grand Cru vineyards — Le Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet — are performing at an extraordinary level.
Producers to Seek Out in the 2022 Vintage
Across both reds and whites, several producers are consistently delivering the finest expressions of the vintage:
- Domaine de la Vougeraï — Biodynamic farming, exceptional wines across all levels (see our Burgundy starter guide)
- Domaine Faiveley — Consistent across all communes; a benchmark producer for both reds and whites
- Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey — Sought-after whites from Chassagne and Saint-Aubin; limited allocation
- Domaine de Montille — Elegant, structured reds and whites; outstanding value at village and Premier Cru level
- Joseph Faiveley Mercurey Clos Rochette Blanc — Outstanding value white Burgundy from the Côte Chalonnaise
At Winemore, we’ve curated a selection of the finest 2022 Burgundy available in Australia. Browse our current White Burgundy and red Burgundy collections for availability.
A Vintage for the Cellar and the Table
Perhaps the greatest gift of 2022 is its versatility. These are wines that can age but won’t demand decades in the cellar to show their best. Their immediate charm, aromatic clarity, and structural balance make them suitable for earlier drinking, while the better cuvées from top producers and great climat will develop gracefully over the next 10–15 years.
And for Burgundy lovers wearied by scarcity and price inflation, the larger volumes of 2022 mean slightly improved availability — though global demand still keeps prices elevated, particularly for premier and grand cru wines.
Food Pairing for 2022 Burgundy
The style of 2022 Burgundy — generous fruit, refined tannins, excellent freshness — makes it highly food-friendly:
- 2022 Pinot Noir (village to Premier Cru) — Roast chicken or guinea fowl, duck breast with cherry sauce, mushroom risotto, salmon en papillote. The wine’s red fruit and earthy notes harmonise beautifully with all of these.
- 2022 Chardonnay (Meursault, Puligny) — Butter-poached scallops, pan-roasted barramundi, roast chicken with cream sauce, fresh goat’s cheese. The wines’ richness and freshness make them highly versatile at the table.
- Both colours — A selection of fine French cheeses (Brie de Meaux, Comté, Epoises) with a baguette is the simplest and one of the most satisfying ways to enjoy any quality Burgundy.
Explore More from Winemore’s Wine Journal
- Beyond Chablis: Discover the True Depth of White Burgundy
- Burgundy: Where Should You Start?
- A Journey Through the Bottle: A Memorable Wine Tasting Across Regions and Styles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2022 Burgundy vintage better than 2019 or 2020?
All three are excellent vintages, but with different characters. The 2019 is powerful and structured, built for long-term cellaring. The 2020 is more silky and immediately seductive. The 2022 sits between the two — generous and immediately approachable, yet with the freshness and structure to age beautifully for 10–15 years (Premier Cru and above). For new Burgundy buyers, 2022 is arguably the most accessible and enjoyable vintage to start with.
Is Burgundy 2022 suitable for drinking now or should I wait?
Village-level wines and regional Bourgogne Rouge/Blanc from 2022 are drinking beautifully now and will continue to do so over the next 3–6 years. Premier Cru wines benefit from 3–5 years of further development. Grand Cru wines from top producers can be held for 10–20 years or more. The outstanding quality of the vintage means there is no wrong time to open a 2022 — it’s simply a question of how much patience you have.
Why was 2021 such a difficult year in Burgundy?
Spring frosts in April 2021 destroyed much of the emerging crop across the Côte d’Or, particularly in low-lying vineyards. Some estates lost 80–90% of their potential production. The wines that survived were excellent in quality but extremely scarce — and priced accordingly. The contrast with 2022’s abundant, healthy harvest is dramatic.
What does “Premier Cru” mean in Burgundy?
Premier Cru (1er Cru) designates wine from specific, named vineyards within a village that are officially classified as producing superior quality. Each village has its own Premier Cru vineyards — for example, Gevrey-Chambertin’s Les Cazetiers, Meursault’s Les Charmes. Premier Cru wines sit above village wines in quality and price, and below Grand Cru (of which there are only 33 in all of Burgundy).
Where can I buy 2022 Burgundy in Melbourne?
Winemore in Chadstone carries a curated selection of 2022 Burgundy across all price points — from regional Bourgogne Rouge and Blanc to Premier Cru expressions from top producers. Visit us in-store at Chadstone or browse winemore.com.au for current availability. Our team is always happy to make personalised recommendations based on your palate and budget.
Written by the Winemore team — Melbourne specialists in fine and rare wine, based in Chadstone.