The 2025 vintage in Bourgogne followed the exceptionally difficult 2024 season with much more favourable conditions. It was an early and warm growing season, marked by periods of intense heat and a harvest that began in August. Quantities were lower than initially hoped, but early indications point towards attractive quality, with ripe fruit, good balance and freshness. The young wines are showing generosity and elegance rather than excessive weight.
Growing season
After a relatively mild winter, warm conditions in early spring encouraged rapid development in the vineyards. Budbreak began early and the growing season quickly moved ahead of the historical average. Conditions were generally favourable, although two periods of intense heat, in June and again in August, accelerated ripening and contributed to lower yields. The summer was warm and relatively dry, allowing grapes to remain generally healthy. Harvest began from 18 August for Crémant de Bourgogne and continued into September in later-ripening areas. Rain during the harvest period complicated picking decisions in some vineyards, making timing particularly important.
Red Bourgogne
Early assessments of Pinot Noir are promising. The wines show good colour, ripe fruit and attractive concentration, while generally retaining freshness and moderate balance rather than becoming excessively heavy. The warm season provided good phenolic maturity, and the best young reds appear generous and expressive. Differences between individual vineyards and harvest dates are likely to become clearer as the wines complete their élevage.
White Bourgogne
Chardonnay also reached good levels of maturity. Early examples show ripe fruit combined with freshness, with the better wines maintaining balance despite the warmth of the growing season. In Chablis and the wider Yonne, 2025 represents a welcome change after the severe weather and very small yields of 2024. As elsewhere in Bourgogne, however, quantities vary considerably between vineyards and producers.
Drinking and ageing
It is still too early to define the long-term ageing potential of 2025 with precision. Initial indications suggest a balanced and relatively approachable vintage, while the strongest wines should have sufficient concentration and freshness for extended development. A clearer picture will emerge once the wines have completed élevage and spent several years in bottle.
Vintage at a glance
Overall: Very promising
Red wines: Very promising
White wines: Very promising
Style: Ripe, generous and balanced
Best known for: An early harvest and promising quality after the difficult 2024 season
Drinking window: Approximately 2029–2045+, depending on appellation and producer