Located just under two hours North of the large city of Lyon, Beaune is a small, historic place surrounded by lush vines and rolling hillsides. Much of the town has remained relatively unchanged, with cobblestone streets, old ramparts, and restored buildings. 

The city dates back to the 3rd century when the Romans first inhabited it. You can still see remnants of the Roman fortifications around the city. In the early 14th century, the first Burgundian Parliament was established, and the dukes of Burgundy began residing in the town. 

The history of the region dates back much further, though. It is believed that the Celts, who lived in the region as far back as 50 BC, were the first to produce Burgundy wine. Once the Romans conquered the area, they continued with the winemaking.

However, the Cistercian monks are to thank for the wine we know today. They began cultivating the rocky slopes and kept detailed records of the soil and characteristics of the wine. They also created the first enclosed vineyard in 1336, Clos de Vougeot, and grew many more plots around Burgundy. These same plots are so old and vital that they are on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. 

Now, the city revolves around wine tourism and has become one of the top destinations for wine lovers. People travel from around to experience the world-renowned wines produced in the area. Burgundy is known mainly for its red wines, but the region also produces white. 

Red Burgundy is made with the pinot noir grape, and white Burgundy with chardonnay. What makes this type of wine so spectacular is the land it is grown on. The wines are divided into four different classifications based on quality, with Grand Crus being the best of the best. In total, Grand Crus made up only 1% of the total wines produced in Burgundy.