Which statement describes the general purpose of Burgundy’s land parcel system?

• A. Parcels are inherited to form a single large estate.
• B. Parcels are allocated into a quality scale based on their location.
• C. Parcels are randomly assigned with no quality differences.
• D. Parcels are only used for white wines.

Answer: (B)

Burgundy’s parcel system is about using where a vineyard plot sits to signal its quality potential. Each small plot is evaluated based on its terroir—location, slope, exposure, soil, drainage—and then placed into a hierarchical quality scale. That structure underpins how wines are labeled and valued, with classifications like Grand Cru, Premier Cru, and village designations reflecting the expected quality from each plot. The idea isn’t to merge plots into a single estate; many plots remain fragmented or inherited across generations, which is why Burgundy has so many small parcels. It’s also not random, and Burgundy produces both red and white wines from numerous plots, not just white.