Just as the Cote-de-Nuits takes its name from its primary village, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Beaune gives its name to the Cote d'Or's southern part, the Cote-de-Beaune. Beaune was once the capital of the Duchy of Burgundy and remains today a bustling centre of activity. Perhaps the most recognizable symbol of Burgundy is located here, Hotel-Dieu, a medieval hospital that is home to the Hospices de Beaune charity wine auction each November.

In addition, this is one place in Burgundy where there is a multitude of places to shop and dine. It is home to a substantial number of famous, historic negociants including Louis Jadot, Joseph Drouhin, Louis Latour and Bouchard Pere et Fils. There are a full 450 hectares of vines given the appellation Beaune, with over 40 individual vineyards given the more prestigious appellation, Beaune Premier Cru.

A tiny portion of this is white wine, which can be excellent, particularly when it is the Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc. The vineyards are sandwiched between those of Savigny-les-Beaune to the north and Pommard to the south. The size of the appellation makes it difficult to generalize, but the wines in the south (such as Clos des Mouches or Chouacheux) tend to be more masculine and have more grip while those further north favour suppleness and femininity (Marconnets or Bressandes for example).

All wines from Beaune, no matter their location, have good body and fruit and feature subtle nuances of game and earth. Beaune in the hands of a dedicated producer will more often than not be a wine whose quality outreaches its price. There are a great number of vineyards in Beaune that have been become well-known through the marketing efforts of the Beaune negociants including: Clos de Mouches (Chanson), Clos des Ursules, Chouacheux, Clos de Couchereaux (Louis Jadot), and Clos de la Mousse, Clos Saint-Landry, Greves "la Vigne de l'Enfant Jesus" (Bouchard).