July, 2026
Stephanie Curtis
Dijon, France
Quoting Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous line « wine is bottled poetry», Gwendal Poullénnec, International Director of France’s Michelin Guide, announced a new chapter in this institution’s history recently, as the guide extends its legendary reach from the world’s finest tables and hotels to France’s most remarkable vineyards.
After 126 years of marking gastronomic findswith its iconic star system, the guide unveiledits first classification of wine estates in a staged, Oscar-style ceremony at Dijon’s Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne on July 7th.
The « Selection Grappes », Grape Selection in English, aims to single out remarkable wineries through a system mirroring its restaurant ratings – awarding one, two, or a maximum of three grapes, represented by a stylized grape cluster symbol, in place of the familiar stylized stars used for fine dining.
The leap of this granddaddy of restaurant guides into vineyards is seen by many as a logical move following Michelin’s acquisitionin 2019 of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
Burgundy was the natural choice for the first regional classification. « This region remains one of the world’s most highly structured through its hierarchy of terroirs and itsappellations», explained Poullennec, adding, «Our selection shows that excellence is not limited to the prestige of a name. »
Poullennec went on to explain that selection of the vineyards is based on five criteria: the quality of the agronomy, reflecting work in the vineyard; technical mastery in the cellar; the wine’s identity and inimitable character; its balance and harmony; and finally, consistency across multiple vintages.
During the ceremony, nine wine estates received the highest, three-grape distinction, including Coche-Dury and Hubert Lamy in the Côte de Beaune, and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Domaine Leroy in the Côte de Nuits. Interviewed after the ceremony, 94-year-old Lalou Bize-Leroy said « I am amazed, I do not merit this. There is still so much to accomplish. At 94 years old, I am still at my post every morning. For me, my work is my passion. »
Twenty other estates were awarded two grapes, and 33 received the one-grapedistinction. (For the full list, visit: The Michelin Guide’s Burgundy Wine Selection)
Subsequent Selections will be rolled out progressively, region by region, with the next edition slated for September 2026, spotlightingthe vineyards of Bordeaux.
No information was disclosed about the judges’ identities beyond the fact that theywere drawn from a pool of sommeliers, gastronomic critics, and former winegrowers.
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