Once a year in early March, the heart of Burgundy, in Beaune, beats to the rhythm of wine tasting. There, wine experts from around the world—oenologists, sommeliers, merchants, journalists, and experienced wine lovers—gather in Beaune for one purpose: to discover wines that truly stand out.

The competition is open to producers, cooperative wineries, and négociants from Burgundy and Beaujolais, covering white, rosé, red, and sparkling AOC wines. Thus, the institution captures the entire spectrum of the region – from elegant Chardonnays to expressive Pinot Noirs and fruity Beaujolais, as well as Crémant de Bourgogne. From 2022, wines from Franche-Comté will also be eligible to participate in the competition. At the same time, the institution has expanded to include PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) wines, further enhancing the scope and momentum of the event.

The Concours des Burgondia is not just a medal-awarding process. It is a strictly organized blind tasting, where each sample is evaluated with absolute dedication to quality and objectivity. The wines are served without any indication of origin, the judges are professionals from different disciplines, and every stage—from recording to scoring—follows meticulous protocols.
At the end of this demanding process, gold and silver medals are awarded to the wines that stood out. For the consumer, this medal on the bottle is not just a sticker. It is a guarantee of reliability. An indication that the wine the consumer holds in their hands has been tasted, compared, and recognized among hundreds of others.

Behind this success is Didier Martin, who has been organizing competitions with consistency and professionalism for more than 40 years. Methodical, discreet, and totally committed to the independence of the process, he has turned the Burgondia and Concours des Féminalise competitions, the latter celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, into internationally recognized institutions.

He says.

"I started in 1985 organizing competitions by talking to winemakers. I told them they didn't know how to organize a competition, and they put me in charge of the process," he recalls.
A few years later, the winemakers were forced to admit that Didier Martin had worked wonders. He then founded the limited liability company Concours des Burgondia (Burgondia is a registered trademark).
A perfectly organized "scenario" that shows: that the samples are meticulously recorded and placed in special blind tasting cases with different colors. Each table consists of a judge who tastes different wines and the judge next to him, in an independent position, belongs to a different professional group. No sponsors, no favoritism: "These are the elements that allow Burgondia to be a showcase for the best competition organization in France, in a friendly and unpretentious atmosphere, but with a constant focus on independence and the renewal of participating producers," boasts Mr. Martin.

"The tasting method, the classification of wines, the composition of the judges, and the processing of the results are perfectly calibrated," he emphasizes. Only wine and objective judgment.
For wine lovers, this simply means that when they see a Burgondia medal, they can feel confident. Behind this small label lies a lengthy evaluation process—and a steadfast commitment to quality.
In Burgundy, therefore, the silence of blind tasting leads to the action of recognition. And ultimately, to our glass.

We must mention Didier Martin's companions in this event. They are Maxim Martin, Johanna Radreau Lecrivain, Fabien Giraud, and Emmanouel Guibelin.

Allwinestories is the exclusive communication sponsor for the second consecutive year.