Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) launches updated (free) online course

Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB has updated several e-learning modules to help both wine lovers and trade to become ‘experts in 90 minutes’

Burgundy’s regional wine board, the BIVB, states that its 90-minute online course was updated last week with new content and information on appellation rule changes. The online course was originally launched a decade ago and was mainly aimed at professionals, it is free for anyone to complete.

Each of the four modules takes around 20 minutes to complete, and there is a quiz at the end and the course is available in French, English, Chinese, and Japanese. Modules range from ‘Discovering Bourgogne’, which runs through the key grape varieties, appellations and terroirs of Burgundy, to food pairing advice and tasting wine.

It can take many years to learn about the intricacies of Burgundy wine, from its appellations and stylistic nuances to the precise location of its patchwork quilt of climats along the Côte d’Or, south of Dijon.

However, the BIVB states that the online modules are a fun way for both wine lovers and professionals to understand more about the region, and “90 minutes is all it takes to become an expert in Bourgogne wines.”

The course is available via the e-learning section of the BIVB website

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Bourgogne Wines Cave de Prestige selection for 2019

Last week the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) announced the exclusive Bourgogne Wines Cave de Prestige selection for 2019.

This year,1,528 samples were submitted for tasting, from vintages 2015 through to 2018. This represents a rise of 34% compared to 2018 and is perhaps not surprising given the very fine 2017 vintage from which 64% of submissions hailed. The 2017 vintage was more generous than 2016 for the majority of Bourgogne appellations, and 2018 looks to be promising.
Selected by a jury of experts 12% of the submissions were chosen, making a total of 191 wines. They will be showcased for one year, both in France and abroad, at marketing and training events for market influencers such as wine store owners, sommeliers, restaurateurs and journalists, and also for the general public through the École des Vins de Bourgogne.

There was a record number of submissions as follows: cooperative cellars 9%; négoce trade 13%; with estates making up the remaining 78%. Most of the 84 Bourgogne appellations were represented, from Régionale wines to Grand Crus.

The winning list will follow shortly.