The Climats of Burgundy Official Candidate for France for World Heritage List inscription Terroirs steeped in history, devoted to excellence Treasures for humanity THE CLIMATS in a few words In Burgundy, when we speak of a Climat, we do not look up to the sky, we keep our eyes to the ground." Bernard Pivot, writer, Membre de l’Institut, President of the Support Committee What exactly is a "Climat" in Burgundy? In Burgundy, the word "Climat" refers to a named, specific vineyard site, a parcel or plot of land whose limits have been determined over several centuries. More than 1,247 Climats spread over the region from Dijon to the south of Beaune, shaping the landscape like a mosaic. Each of them has its own history, produces wines with a distinct character and taste and keeps its own place in the hierarchy of the Burgundy crus; some have illustrious names like Chambertin, Romanée-Conti, Clos de Vougeot, Montrachet, Corton, Musigny... Why are the Climats unique? Nowhere else in the world has man shown such determination to so precisely link a wine production to its place of origin. The result is an extremely fragmented vineyard system, supported by a solid winemaking expertise that is committed to excellence. Its remarkable landscapes include towns with an exceptional architectural heritage like Dijon and Beaune, all of which combine to form a very special type of economy and culture. What exactly do we hope to have inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List? The listing application is not limited to the vineyards themselves. Our objective is to obtain official recognition of the history and culture of an emblematic territory. The Climats represent a unique and exceptional model of terroir- based viticulture, which is an inspiration for winemakers across the world. They make up a unique cultural site, shaped by 2000 years of history, and characterized by an outstanding architectural heritage (including the Hospices de Beaune, the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, the Château du Clos de Vougeot...). World Heritage listing of the Climats of Burgundy would ensure their protection for generations to come, and worldwide recognition of their unique quality. Listing in 2015? The Climats of Burgundy’s application dossier was approved by the French government in January 2014 and was submitted to UNESCO’s World Heritage Center under the "cultural site" category. The final decision concerning listing will be made by the 21 members of the World Heritage Committee on the occasion of its 39th session, which will be held during the summer of 2015 in Bonn, Germany. Who is piloting the project? Since 2007, an Association has been bringing together and coordinating the efforts of all the local stakeholders (elected representatives of the regional authorities and wine-sector professionals) to sponsor the application. Its president is Aubert de Villaine, producer and co-director of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. The Association, supported by a scientific committee, is part of the "Mission Climats", a management body designed to protect, share and pass on this common heritage. Unprecedented mobilization throughout the region Over 60,000 individuals have already shown their support for the project! Members of the public, wine producers, entrepreneurs, volunteers, etc..The commitment and support of each and every one of us is essential in order to send a strong message to UNESCO: that of a collective willingness and desire for lasting recognition for an entire territory’s unique heritage. Everyone can contribute. Find out more on: www.climats-bourgogne.com SUMMARY EDITORIAL 2 On our way to World Heritage with pride 3 TERROIRS STEEPED IN HISTORY, DEVOTED TO EXCELLENCE THE CLIMATS OF BURGUNDY 4 A unique cultural site shaped by two thousand years of human endeavour 4 A model of terroir-based viticulture of worldwide influence 6 An exceptional architectural heritage intrinsically linked to wine-growing 8 TREASURES FOR HUMANITY APPLICATION PROCESS FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LISTING OF THE 10 CLIMATS OF BURGUNDY UNESCO and World Heritage 10 Stages in UNESCO procedure 10 Outstanding Universal Value: what makes the Climats so unique? 12 Nomination criteria 13 Perimeter of the nominated property 14 PASSING ON AND PROTECTING A TERRITORY WHERE COMMITMENT RUNS DEEP 16 Setting up an Association to support the project 16 Signing of a Charter contributing to the sustainable development of the territory 16 "Mission Climats de Bourgogne": a globally coordinated governance for the property 16 Raising awareness of the managerial challenges ahead 17 SHARING AND PASSING ON DISCOVERING THE DIVERSITY OF THE CLIMATS 18 Explaining - Active involvement of the scientific community 18 Involving future generations - The young people of Burgundy are already 19 ambassadors for the Climats! Come and discover – Destination Climats! Working towards sustainable tourism 20 Discussion, dialogue and worldwide cooperation - Ambitious international 20 cooperation initiatives MOBILISING SUPPORT BROAD POPULAR COMMITMENT BEHIND THE APPLICATION 22 Sharing - Highlights of community commitment 22 Supporting the application campaign - A support committee of over 60,000 people 24 Getting involved - A network of Sponsors and Ambassadors 25 Lorem ipsum eximia fort una propter utilitatem The hill of Corton What prompted this adventure? World famous wines, an outstanding heritage and exceptional know-how, recognition of two thousand years of a unique culture. Hospices civils © The Museum of Wine in Beaune. de Beaune, Salle des Pôvres 1,247 Climats 2,000 years of Detail of "The history Winegrower" tapestry by Michel Tourlière The quest for universal recognition 2 EDITORIAL On our way to World Heritage with pride There are many sites and monuments which the international community considers so valuable for its collective heritage that their disappearance or deterioration would constitute a loss to civilisation. In World Heritage language, these sites have "Outstanding Universal Value" (OUV). We strongly believe that the territory which comprises the Côte de Beaune, the Côte de Nuits and the towns of Beaune and Dijon, rightfully deserves a place on the distinguished World Heritage List, because it too possesses and embodies Outstanding Universal Value. This value is expressed through the Burgundian concept of terroir, the Climat. A Climat is a plot of vines, each with its own unique identity and a name often dating back centuries. An identity which is partly cultural, developed over some 2,000 years, and partly natural, on account of its soil and subsoil types, as well as its specific weather conditions, especially its micro-climate. The Climat is an excellent example of man and nature working hand in hand, of natural and human excellence finding expression in a centuries-old setting; an example which has proved so successful that the Burgundy vineyards are regarded all over the world as the very model of terroir-based viticulture, its cradle and its archetype. The Climats and their viticulture, specific to Burgundy, have given rise to a local culture and an economy, both of which have shaped the environment in which we live – an environment that is more vibrant today than ever before. Not only do the Climats continue to produce wines acclaimed the world over, they also form a remarkable natural landscape. The mosaic created by the Climats, along with the architectural heritage found within the surrounding vineyards and villages, and in the towns of Beaune and Dijon, are united by their common use of local limestone. Ensuring that our unique territory establishes its place on the World Heritage List now seems essential, for two main reasons: firstly, to demonstrate to the world the exceptional mission that has befallen the Burgundy region, and secondly, to create an awareness, within Burgundy and abroad, of the value and unique quality of this marvelous heritage; one that must be guarded and protected, if it is to survive. We are proud to say that what we produce here is far more than just wine and that our region has so much more to offer besides its landscape. Our long and rich history and our distinctive culture combine in this small territory to create an exceptional and unique cultural site. It is this model and this cultural site that we are therefore presenting for inclusion on the World Heritage List. François Sauvadet Alain Suguenot Pierre-Henry Gagey Former Minister Mayor of Beaune Co-Chairman of the Territorial Conference, MP for Côte-d’Or MP for Côte-d’Or Representative of the region’s wine Chairman of the Côte-d’Or Chairman of the Conurbation professionals General Council Committee for Beaune Côte et Sud Co-Chairman of the Territorial Aubert de Villaine François Patriat Conference President, Association for the inscription of the Former Minister Climats of Burgundy on the World Heritage List President of the Regional Alain Millot Council of Burgundy Mayor of Dijon Guillaume d’Angerville Senator of Côte-d’Or President of the Conurbation Deputy President, Association for the Committee for Greater Dijon inscription of the Climats of Burgundy on the Co-Chairman of the Territorial World Heritage List Conference 3 © Municipal Archives, Dijon © Municipal Archives, TERROIRS STEEPED IN HISTORY, DEVOTED TO La petite Tibériade de Dijon, 1550, with a reference key of EXCELLENCE featured locations THE CLIMATS: a unique cultural site shaped by two thousand years of human Preserving and protecting our culture Vines have been cultivated in the Burgundy region for two thousand years; this was recently demonstrated by the discovery of traces of a Gallo-Roman vineyard in Gevrey-Chambertin dating back to the 1st century AD. The development of this unique plot system is the result of centuries of human labour. It is also an intrinsic part of the history of the religious and political institutions which have successively drawn up regulatory edicts aimed at protecting the vineyards and contributing to the reputation of the wines they produce.