Lieu-dit is a French term meaning “named place.” In wine, it refers to a locally recognised named site or parcel within a village or appellation. A lieu-dit may identify a vineyard, hillside, field or other traditional place name. The term is used particularly in Burgundy, Alsace and other French regions, but its legal significance varies by appellation.
A lieu-dit can appear on a wine label to provide more precise information about the source of the grapes than the village or regional appellation alone. In Burgundy, a label may identify a village appellation followed by the name of a lieu-dit. The named site may or may not have Premier Cru or Grand Cru status.
Example: a Burgundy label reading “Meursault Les Narvaux” identifies Meursault as the village appellation and Les Narvaux as a named site within the area. Les Narvaux is not itself a Premier Cru classification.
Lieu-dit is a traditional named place or parcel. Climat in Burgundy refers to a precisely delimited vineyard site with its own historical identity and growing conditions; many climats correspond to named lieux-dits, but the terms are not always interchangeable. Cru is a region-specific designation or classification whose meaning varies by appellation.
A lieu-dit can help identify the vineyard origin and provide context about soil, exposure and local tradition. However, the name alone does not guarantee a particular quality level or official classification. Always read the full appellation and label information.
Chef’s note: when selecting a Burgundy or Alsace wine, a lieu-dit can offer useful site detail. Consider the producer and vintage as well as the named parcel.
This term is one of hundreds covered in depth across OCS courses, learning paths, and 1-on-1 coaching with Chef Eric.
