Grands Jours de Bourgogne 2026: everything you need to know about the wine event of the year

Grands Jours de Bourgogne: the event the region awaits every two years

Every two years, Burgundy's wine world takes centre stage for five days. Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne is the event where winemakers, merchants and wine professionals from around the globe gather in the heart of the terroirs to taste the latest vintages. The 2026 edition runs from 9 to 13 March, and it's a special moment for the entire region.

The 2026 programme: five days, five terroirs

Each day is dedicated to a Burgundy sub-region, with tastings held directly in the cellars and châteaux of the appellations:

Monday 9 March: Chablis & Grand Auxerrois: Burgundy's most northerly vineyard opens the proceedings. The mineral, taut Chardonnays of Chablis set the tone.

Tuesday 10 March: Côte de Beaune: The great whites of Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet, plus the elegant reds of Pommard and Volnay.

Wednesday 11 March: Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran… Burgundy's south, often underestimated, produces whites with remarkable value.

Thursday 12 March: Côte Chalonnaise: Mercurey, Givry, Rully, Montagny, appellations on the rise, increasingly winning over wine lovers.

Friday 13 March: Côte de Nuits: The grand finale. Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges… The world's most legendary Pinot Noirs, tasted on site. It's the most popular day.

A trade-only event, but one that benefits everyone

The Grands Jours de Bourgogne are officially reserved for professionals: sommeliers, importers, wine merchants, journalists. But their impact extends well beyond the tasting rooms. During the week, the entire region buzzes:

Restaurants put on special menus with exceptional food-wine pairings. Dijon and Beaune wine bars offer themed selections. Some estates hold open days or parallel events accessible to the public.

The atmosphere in the towns is unique. Crossing paths with Japanese importers, New York sommeliers and Burgundian winemakers at the same Dijon bistro counter, it's these moments that make the week special.

Why Dijon is the best base during the Grands Jours

The Grands Jours take place across all of Burgundy, from Chablis to Mâcon. For a private individual wanting to enjoy the buzz without rushing everywhere, Dijon offers the best compromise:

Direct access to the Côte de Nuits: Friday's session, the most prestigious, takes place 15-25 minutes' drive from Dijon. Gevrey-Chambertin, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanée: all within a quarter of an hour.

A city life that doesn't stop: unlike small wine villages that empty in the evening, Dijon offers restaurants, wine bars and culture after the tastings. The Place de la Libération, pedestrian streets, the Halles centrales… You won't run out of things to do.

The TGV: Paris is 1h40 away. Lyon 1h50. For professionals and enthusiasts alike, it's a considerable logistical advantage.

The 2024 vintage at the heart of tastings

The 2026 edition showcases the 2024 vintage, a year marked by contrasting weather conditions in Burgundy. Yields were low in certain appellations, which concentrated the wines. Early professional feedback is positive, particularly on the Côte de Nuits reds showing beautiful depth and silky tannins.

It's also a chance to taste the 2023s in bottle and gauge their evolution. The 2023 vintage was praised for its freshness and balance, a year later, the wines are beginning to reveal their true potential.

The context: an industry under pressure but resilient

The 2026 Grands Jours take place in a particular context. The Burgundy wine industry faces several challenges: climate change, declining wine consumption in France, tensions on export markets. Some winemakers describe a situation 'more complicated than three years ago'.

But Burgundy has an asset few regions possess: the strength of its terroirs and its brand. Burgundy wines remain among the most sought-after in the world, and wine tourism continues to grow. The Grands Jours are also an opportunity for the industry to showcase its dynamism and adaptation to new consumption trends.

Enjoying the Grands Jours as a private visitor: our tips

Book your accommodation early. During Grands Jours week, Dijon and Beaune hotels fill up fast. At Oenosuite, our wine suites in Dijon's city centre are ideally located to enjoy the event.

Explore Dijon's wine bars. During the week, wine merchants and bars often offer special selections. It's a chance to taste vintages not easily found the rest of the year.

Book an estate visit via Winalist. Some estates open their doors on the sidelines of the event. Even if official tastings are reserved for pros, winemakers are happy to welcome private visitors by appointment.

Don't neglect the gastronomy. Dijon's restaurants rise to the occasion during the Grands Jours. Take the opportunity to try Burgundian food-wine pairings at the best tables in town.

Wine is meant to be lived, not just watched

The Grands Jours de Bourgogne remind us of something obvious: wine is above all a story of encounters. Between a terroir and a winemaker, between a wine and the person tasting it, between people who share the same curiosity. Whether you're a professional or simply passionate, this week in March is the ideal time to experience Burgundy's wine world from the inside.

And if you're looking for accommodation that extends this experience into your room, connected cellar, Winer tasting boxes, winemaker products from Bo & Co, VIE.GNE, Vinésime, Oenosuite in Dijon was made for that.

Read also: our Burgundy wine events calendar, the wine accommodation guide in Burgundy and the best tastings in Dijon.