🥃 Marc de Bourgogne
Protected EU name: spirit from marc of Burgundy and Beaujolais wines, at least 2 years in oak, from 40% ABV.
Marc de Bourgogne (also Eau-de-vie de marc de Bourgogne) is a protected EU geographical name for a spirit made from the marc of wines of the Burgundy appellations. It must be aged in oak for at least two years, so it is amber. The specification describes light fruity and caramel notes and a slight astringency.
The marc comes from communes of the departments of Côte-d'Or, Saône-et-Loire, Yonne and Rhône (Beaujolais). 13 grape varieties are allowed, including chardonnay, pinot noir, gamay and aligoté. White-wine marc is placed without air within 18 hours of pressing, red within 24; up to 35 kg of marc is allowed per hectolitre of wine.
Distillation is by cascade: up to 3 copper vessels of 630 l each and up to 3 columns no taller than 1.5 m, with no more than 7 plates in total. Distillation is finished by 31 March; marc with stems within 60 days. The distillate may not exceed 72% vol.
Ageing takes place in oak vessels of up to 60 hl in cellars without artificial climate. Label mentions: «vieux» from 3 years, «très vieux» from 6, «hors d'âge» from 10. A grape variety or place name may not be added. In France the name was recognised by the decree of 23 February 1942, and in the EU it has been protected since 12 June 1989 (PGI-FR-01835).
Why this matters to you. There is no young “white” Marc de Bourgogne: every bottle has spent at least two years in oak. The specification mentions one more use: it is used to wash the rind of «Époisses» cheese. WHO reminds: there is no safe dose of alcohol.
Facts
| Legal basis | EU geographical indication PGI-FR-01835 (since 12 June 1989); in France since the decree of 23 February 1942 |
|---|---|
| EU category | 6 “Grape marc spirit” |
| Raw material | marc of wines of the Burgundy appellations; 13 varieties, including chardonnay, pinot noir, gamay |
| Distillation method | cascade: up to 3 copper vessels of 630 l each, up to 7 plates; up to 72% vol. |
| Minimum maturation | 2 years in oak of up to 60 hl; «vieux»: 3, «hors d'âge»: 10 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 40% ABV |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Marc de Bourgogne → kind of → 🍇 Pomace spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🍷 Pièce (Burgundy barrel), 🍷 Wine label
- Made from
- 🥃 Pomace, 🍇 Chardonnay, 🍇 Pinot Noir, 🍇 Gamay
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 French
- Part of
- 🍇 Pomace spirits, 🥃 Marc, 🥃 Pomace brandy
- Related to
- 📍 Burgundy, 📍 Beaujolais
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Grappa, 🥃 Marc champenois, 🥃 Marc d'Auvergne, 🥃 Marc d'Auvergne, 🥃 Marc champenois
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Marc de Bourgogne can be clear and unaged?
No. To be sold under this name it is aged in oak for at least two years, so it is amber. The only exception is batches for industry and compound products.
Which grapes is Marc de Bourgogne made from?
From the marc of wines of the Burgundy appellations; 13 varieties are allowed, including chardonnay, pinot noir, gamay and aligoté.
What do «vieux» and «hors d'âge» on the label mean?
«Vieux» means at least 3 years of ageing, «très vieux» 6, «hors d'âge» 10.
How is Marc de Bourgogne used?
The specification calls it first of all a digestif; it is also mixed with blackcurrant cream, used in cooking and used to wash the rind of «Époisses» cheese.
Since when has the name Marc de Bourgogne been protected?
In France, since the decree of 23 February 1942, adopted to protect spirits from requisition during the occupation. In the EU, since 12 June 1989.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation — Yeast eats the sugar in the must and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Pomace — Grape skins, seeds and stems left after pressing.
- 🧑🤝🧑 French — The main population of France; their cheese culture is camembert, brie, Comté and roquefort, and the country has 51 dairy AOP names.
Similar
🥃 Marc d'Auvergne · 🥃 Marc champenois · 🥃 Marc de Provence · 🥃 Marc du Bugey · 🥃 Marc du Languedoc · 🥃 Marc de Savoie
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- eAmbrosia: technical file of the GI «Marc de Bourgogne / Eau-de-vie de marc de Bourgogne», version du 21.07.2016, Ares(2019)6226321, PGI-FR-01835
- eAmbrosia register: «Marc de Bourgogne / Eau-de-vie de marc de Bourgogne», EUGI00000015307 (PGI-FR-01835), GI registered, EU protection 12.06.1989
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I, category 6 «Grape marc spirit or grape marc»
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III: geographical indications of spirit drinks, category 6 (version of 31.01.2020)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)