Burgundy 2024 Vintage: Bright Whites, Light Reds, Smart Drinking
If you follow Burgundy with a healthy dose of curiosity and caution (like watching a swell build on a windy afternoon), Steen Öhman’s latest on Winehog lays down a clear line: 2024 is a vintage to drink—especially the whites—and a vintage to be selective with in reds.
Why This Matters
Behind every great bottle is a story, and this one matters. It reflects broader trends shaping how wine is made, sold, and enjoyed. Stay curious—your palate will thank you.
“The whites are very good considering the conditions.” —Steen Öhman, Winehog
Öhman has tasted roughly 90% of what he needs to call the ball, and the call is nuanced: whites have that rare coolness we’ve all been missing; reds are lighter, attractive in places, but not built for the long haul.
Key Takeaways
- Key themes: Burgundy 2024, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir—stay informed on these evolving trends.
- The takeaway? Keep exploring, keep tasting, and don’t be afraid to try something new.
Style snapshot: Burgundy 2024 at a glance
White Burgundy (Chardonnay): expect dry wines with fresh, cool-leaning fruit, medium body, and crisp acidity—more oyster shell than buttered brioche. Öhman even hints that many are worthy of the cellar, provided they’re pure and clean. That’s catnip for Chardonnay lovers who prize tension over toast.
Red Burgundy (Pinot Noir): light-bodied and easygoing, the kind of Pinots that slide onto by-the-glass lists and thrive in restaurants. Not so much built for decades—pleasant now, perhaps charming, but less collectible. As Öhman puts it, some efforts leaned hard on the allowed toolbox to tide the vintage over, and you can feel that in the structure and depth.
“You can put lipstick on a pig …” —Steen Öhman, Winehog
Translation: the year demanded interventions; winemakers worked impressively, but there are limits to what you can coax from Mother Nature when she’s in a mood.
Context: techniques, restaurants, and the cellar question
Burgundy is famously two grapes, two personalities: Chardonnay for whites, Pinot Noir for reds. In a tricky year, choices like chaptalization, acid adjustments, and careful oak can help keep the ship upright. Öhman notes that 2024 saw “all permitted tricks and trickeries” deployed. That doesn’t make the wines bad—far from it—but it does shape the buy intent.
If your cellar skews white Burgundy and you value precision and energy, 2024 looks appealing. These are the bottles to grab for that crisp, saline, citrus-driven style that drinks beautifully over the next 5–10 years, maybe longer for top, pure examples.
For reds, think immediate pleasure. Lighter, juicier Pinot with soft tannins is a joy at the table, and often a better value by-the-glass than by-the-case. The smart move? Drink across producers and villages, enjoy the lift, and save your cellar space for sturdier vintages. Öhman is frank: “for cellaring the reds? I don’t see the point.” That aligns with the broader takeaway—reds are nice, not monumental.
And the horizon looks brighter still. Öhman offers a parting tease: “2025 is a great vintage it seems.” Noted. Time to dust off the reservation calendar and patience.
Buying game plan
Whites (Chardonnay): prioritize producers known for clean, mineral, linear styles. Think village and premier cru where purity matters more than power. Look for terms like “fresh,” “cool,” and “pure” in notes. If the oak stays in the background, you’re in the zone.
Reds (Pinot Noir): embrace the lightness. At fair prices, these can be delightful, food-friendly, and perfect for weeknight dinner rotation or restaurant lists. If you want age-worthiness, skip or keep it short-term.
Best occasion: the whites are ideal for dinner parties where you want everybody nodding in quiet approval—think seafood nights, sushi spreads, or anything that likes a squeeze of lemon. The reds are best for casual meals, wine bars, and social nights where freshness beats muscle.
Best pairing direction: for whites, go saline and subtle—raw bar, grilled fish, young goat cheese. For reds, lean into charcuterie, roast chicken, mushroom pastas, and anything that benefits from light tannins and bright red fruit.
Bottom line: 2024 Burgundy is a drinker’s vintage, not a flex. Whites deliver clarity and cool charm; reds bring easy pleasure without the cellar tax. Respect the craft, enjoy the lift, and keep an eye on 2025 for the deeper stash.
Quotes attributed to Steen Öhman, Winehog – with a passion.
