Climats and the crafting of heritage value in Burgundy terroir

Burgundy's 'climats'—distinct vineyard parcels—have emerged as a globally recognized cultural landscape, reflecting a strategic heritagisation process that elevates Burgundy wines and vineyards in the competitive global market. This recognition, achieved in 2015, has transformed the region's economic value by shifting away from traditional terroir narratives toward a new visual discourse centered on climats. The study analyzes how local elites, producers, and cultural mediators craft these values through storytelling, highlighting paradoxes of globalization such as tension between artisanal labor, privileged consumption, and corporate ownership. By examining strategies deployed in vineyards and hospitality, the research illustrates the dialectics of value creation within capitalism, offering insights into how heritage narratives shape economic and cultural landscapes.

Demossier, M. (2022). Climats and the crafting of heritage value in Burgundy terroir. The Routledge Handbook of Wine and Culture, 117–124. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003034711-17