Champagne and Burgundy on new UNESCO heritage list

Two of France’s most revered wine-growing regions have made it onto the newly released list of UNESCO World Heritage’s cultural sites.

The ‘1,247 Climats and terroirs of Burgundy’ and ‘Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars’ were added to the illustrious list following the organisation’s meeting in Bonn, Germany.

As well benefitting from the prestige and visitor boosts, both regions will now be in line for preservation funding.

Considerable work goes into launching a bid to be recognised by UNESCO, so understandably the recipients were in jubilant mood this week.

‘I would like to pay tribute to all of those involved in this adventure, whose faith in the project and passionate support have never wavered. This inscription is the result of a collective effort, conducted in close cooperation by the local authorities, State services, scientific committee, the wine world, businesses and patrons, and over 64,000 people who joined our Support Committee’, declared Aubert de Villaine, President of the Association des Climats du Vignoble de Bourgogne. Solutré in Burgundy is pictured above.

Major celebrations are planned in both regions. One thing’s for sure: they won’t run out of drinks.