If it’s neither red nor brown, it’s likely burgundy. No, not the region of France famous for wine, but the two are most definitely, inherently linked. It is thought that the colour was first described in the 19th century and its name was likely influenced by the large influx of French wine into England during the Regency and Victorian eras.
It’s a deep, reddish brown colour with glorious purple undertones that’s largely associated with opulence and luxury. It became a favourite of royal courts, associated manors and estates, and later became the colour of officialdom – which is why the UK passport used to be a lovely burgundy colour (gone, but never forgotten).
