In ancient Rome, the god who presides over grapes, wine, and abundance is Bacchus. In myth, Bacchus conveyed grape cultivation and winemaking techniques to humans and symbolized festivals, music, and joy. Bacchus encapsulates human civilization, which has cultivated grapes to make wine and expanded it into culture and art. That is why Bacchus is called a "symbol of civilization" in the world of wine.

The winery Louis Jadot in Burgundy, France, has adopted this mythic symbol as its brand identity. Most Louis Jadot labels feature a motif depicting the face of Bacchus. In the late 19th century, to unite numerous wines produced in different villages and vineyards under a single house identity, Louis Jadot placed Bacchus—symbolizing "tradition, abundance, and purity"—at the center of its labels. As a result, today, wine lovers can recognize Louis Jadot at a glance just by seeing the Bacchus label.

There was also strategic judgment behind the label choice. Burgundy is a region with hundreds of vineyards and a complex classification system. From a producer's standpoint, a visual device is needed to convey their philosophy consistently. Louis Jadot used Bacchus to symbolically express a winemaking philosophy that avoids excessive intervention and prioritizes the grape's inherent purity. The Jadot style, which values classic expressions of climats and terroir, is made clear through the label.

Graphic=Jeong Seo-hee

Louis Jadot was founded in 1859 in Beaune, France. From the beginning, the house has functioned both as a négociant and a domaine. It purchased grapes for bottling while also operating its own vineyards. For more than 160 years since its founding, it has grown by securing vineyards across Burgundy, and today it has established itself as a large-scale producer managing more than about 200 hectares. Even at scale, it maintains stylistic consistency, which earns strong trust in international markets.

Since the late 20th century, Louis Jadot has expanded its portfolio from Chablis to the Côte d'Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâcon, establishing itself as a house representing all of Burgundy. With restrained oak, balanced acidity, and a traditional winemaking style, it has been well received by both beginners and enthusiasts.

In particular, a product drawing attention recently in the domestic market is "Bourgogne Côte d'Or." It is introduced as an entry-level wine, but many say it delivers quality beyond the basics in actual evaluations. Burgundy's AOC rules are very strict, and to be certified as an "excellent wine" in a given area, only the designated single variety must be used. Among these, the Côte d'Or AOC is a classification created in 2017 and requires grapes sourced only from Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, the areas in Burgundy with the highest grape quality.

Because the production area is strictly narrowed, it is considered to have a more distinct balance of structure, aroma, acidity, and texture. The fact that it intuitively shows Burgundy's classic style is another reason it has quickly gained recognition among domestic consumers.

However, the Côte d'Or label does not feature Louis Jadot's Bacchus emblem. A simpler, more restrained design is used. Although Louis Jadot has not officially explained the reason, the industry says it is a strategic choice to differentiate the product image now that brand awareness is already solid. It is interpreted as an intent to emphasize the name "Côte d'Or," a region with high standing even within Burgundy.

The "Bourgogne Côte d'Or" red wine is made from 100% Pinot Noir. The grapes are harvested by hand, undergo about three weeks of maceration and fermentation, and are then aged for 18 months. For aging, half is done in French oak barrels and the other half in stainless steel tanks to avoid excessive oak notes and highlight a fruit-driven texture.

It features clean, raspberry- and cherry-driven fruit aromas, soft tannins, and subtle spice, with lively acidity for vibrancy. It pairs well with grilled salmon, roast veal, and firm cheeses. It won the grand prize in the Old World red wine category at the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards. The importer in Korea is Shinsegae L&B.

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