The soils in Burgundy were formed by the breaking up and erosion of rocky subsoil due to the action of the sun, rain, snow, frost, plants, animals and cultivation.
The limestone and Jurassic marl typical of most Burgundian vineyards consist of:

• limestone
• clay
• large pebbles
• trace elements
• organic matter

Various proportions account for different types of soil:

• Rendzina
• Brown limestone soils
• Brown calcic soils

Furthermore, soil depth (13 to 70 cm), the orientation of the slope and its gradient (2 to 19%) − which are largely responsible for drainage − and the addition or erosion of surface elements (silt, stone) all have a major influence on the quality of the terroir.
The best terroirs are located on the middle of the slope (not too high up, nor too low towards the plain).