During his state visit to China on 4 and 5 December 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron achieved a major diplomatic success for the French wine sector. China officially registered and protected 70 new Bourgogne PDOs (Protected Designations of Origin), marking a significant step forward for one of the world's most historic wine regions.
This registration takes effect on 5 December 2025 and adds to the 10 Bourgogne PDOs already protected in China since May 2024 (including Gevrey-Chambertin and Mâcon). With 80 PDOs now recognized out of 84, Bourgogne is close to full protection in one of the most strategically important export markets for French wines.
From Village Wines to Grand Crus: A Broad Scope of Protection
The recognition encompasses a wide range of terroirs, ensuring legal protection for wines across all price points. The newly protected list includes prestigious Grand Crus such as Montrachet, Richebourg, and Clos de la Roche, as well as renowned Village appellations like Pommard, Meursault, and Côte de Nuits-Villages. It also extends to accessible appellations such as Petit Chablis.
This protection helps safeguard authenticity, ensure clarity for consumers, and prevent misuse of famous geographical names. For wineries and négociants, the new framework provides greater certainty when developing long-term commercial strategies in the Chinese market.
Exports to China: Resilience Amidst Change
The announcement arrives at a time when Bourgogne exports to Mainland China are showing resilience. Shipments increased from around 1.4 million bottles in 2015 to approximately 3 million bottles in 2024.
For the first nine months of 2025, export volumes rose by 1.4 percent compared to the same period in 2024, reaching nearly 2.46 million bottles. While revenue registered a slight decline of 1.7 percent, it remained substantial at approximately €46.7 million. This shift reflects a growing interest in a wider range of Bourgogne appellations, moving beyond just the top-tier collectable wines.
A Result Built Through Years of Cooperation
This diplomatic achievement is the outcome of a long process initiated under the 2020 "100 to 100 agreement" between the European Union, France, and China. In recent years, the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB), the Confédération des Appellations et Vignerons de Bourgogne, and several French public institutions intensified their work with Chinese authorities.
According to Laurent Delaunay, Co-President of the BIVB, the confirmation of these 70 PDOs marks a "symbolic milestone" that reinforces Bourgogne wines' position in China and lays a solid foundation for future development.
Four Remaining PDOs Still in Progress
Although the progress is substantial, four Bourgogne PDOs are still awaiting full recognition due to specific administrative steps currently under examination. The BIVB and its partners expect these final approvals to follow in due course, thereby completing the protection of all 84 Bourgogne appellations in China.
A Significant Step for International Influence
The registration of 70 new PDOs is more than a technical update; it highlights the growing importance of protected designations in global trade. Bourgogne now enters the Chinese market with one of the most complete sets of recognized appellations, positioning its producers better than ever to share their heritage and craftsmanship with Chinese wine enthusiasts.
