Adventures in Wine > Burgundy
Burgundy
Burgundy produces some of the world’s greatest red and white wines from the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varieties. Situated between Dijon and Lyon in central-eastern France it includes five separate vine growing districts. These include Chablis, the Cote Chalonnaise, the Maconnais and Beaujolais. However, the most celebrated area is the Cote d’Or which includes the Cote de Nuits and the Cote de Beaune.
In contrast to Bordeaux, Burgundy is much smaller in volume terms and has a continental climate. The greatest wines in Burgundy are designated by their status as a Grand Cru vineyard, some of which are less than one hectare. (Financial Times)
Domaine Chofflet-Valdenaire
Winery: Domaine Chofflet-Valdenaire
Region: Burgundy
Sub-region: Givry
Givry 1er Cru Clos de Choué
The Chofflet-Valdenaire estate, located in the hillside hamlet of Russily, has been in their family for over 100 years. Today the 11 hectare domaine is run by Jean Chofflet’s son-in-law, Denis Valdenaire. He produces deliciously fruity, accessible Pinot Noirs that represent outstanding value. The domaine possesses very well-placed vineyards with an average age of 25 years.
Domaine Christian Clerget
Winery: Domaine Christian Clerget
Region: Burgundy
Sub-region: Chambolle Musigny
Chambolle Musigny
Christian Clerget’s vision is to produce the purest, most natural wines possible. This means moving the domaine towards full “biologique” cultivation. The land is worked by hand and no herbicides or insecticides are used. Clerget believes that balance in the vineyard will help lead to balanced wines.
Domaine des Verchères
Winery: Domaine des Verchères
Region: Burgundy
Sub-region: Côte de Beaune
Mâcon-Villages
Domaine des Verchères is a family domaine located in the northernmost part of the Mâcon region, just south of the Côtes Chalonnaise. Owner Andre Dupuis is now succeeded by his two sons, Remi and Jean-Christophe. The 10-hectare Mâcon-Villages vineyard, in the communes of Mancey and Royer, is planted entirely with Chardonnay on south-east facing slopes at an average altitude of 250 meters. The vines average 30 years of age.
The soils in the two largest parcels are a mix of clay and limestone, covered with small white pebbles. In one parcel, the subsoil is deep and cool clay, which makes for a slow ripening process and the development of complex pit-fruit and citrus flavors. The other parcel has an almost pure rock soil where the vines’ roots go deep into the limestone. This parcel warms up early and provides ripe, generous Chardonnay fruit with a distinct minerality. The exceptional quality of the Domaine des Verchères Mâcon-Villages is the result of the blending of the fruit from these two vineyard sites.
Dupuis pere pioneered the use of the “Guyot simple” pruning method, then more common in the Côte d’Or, but not in the Mâcon region. By using this method, which leaves one fruit-bearing branch (cane) on the vine, the viticulter is able to reduce yields and obtain more concentrated fruit. More recently, the Dupuis sons have planted grass in every second row and placed straw in the others in order to control erosion on the steep slopes and preserve the health of the soil.
The Chardonnay grapes are quickly pressed in a state-of-the-art pneumatic press, in order to extract all the fruit and aromas while avoiding any bitterness. The juice ferments (using only native yeasts) and is aged entirely in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks. The wine is assembled and bottled after the malolactic fermentation finishes in the Spring. It is the perfect all-purpose white wine, served chilled but not ice-cold. The Domaine des Verchères Mâcon-Villages represents outstanding value in Burgundian Chardonnay.
Domaine Grossot
Winery: Domaine Grossot
Region: Burgundy
Sub-region: Chablis
Chablis a/c 375 & 750
Chablis 1er Cru Vaucoupin
Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Mileu
Chablis 1er Cru ‘Fourneaux’
Corinne and Jean Pierre Grossot, a young couple in their early 40s, represent the third generation of winemakers at their family domaine. The Grossots cultivate 13 hectares of Chablis vineyards, centered in the village of Fleys, just east of the town of Chablis on the road to Tonnerre. Their production is about two thirds Chablis AOC and one third of the Premier Cru Mont de Millieu, Vacoupin, and Fourneaux. Winemaker Jean-Pierre Grassot seeks to produce exceptional Chablis wines – and especially Chablis AOC. This is accomplished by keeping the rich Chardonnay fruit, the unique mineral quality of the Kimmeridgian soil, and the lively fruit acidity and bouquet in perfect balance. The grapes are hand-harvested and gently pressed in a horizontal press to ensure the fullest extraction of flavors and aromas. Grassot’s commitment to making high quality Chablis wines have brought him international acclaim, particularly in the Revue du Vin de France, The Wine Spectator and Decanter.
Domaine Henri Clerc
Winery: Domaine Henri Clerc
Region: Burgundy
Sub-region: Puligny Montrachet
Puligny Montrachet 375 & 750
Puligny Montrachet ‘Champs Gains’
Puligny Montrachet ‘Les Combettes’
Puligny Montrachet ‘Les Folatieres’
Puligny Montrachet
Chassagne Montrachet ‘Morgeot’
Bourgogne Blanc ‘Les Riaux’
The origins of the Clerc estate, originally located on the main square in Pulligny-Montrachet, date back to the 16th century. Since the retirement of Bernard Clerc in mid-2002, Vincent Girardin has been in charge of the vineyards and winemaking. The wines are now made and aged at Girardin’s state of the art facility near Mersault. The Clerc estate is centered in Puligny-Montrachet, and includes 3 Grands Cru vineyards. Girardin and his team harvest entirely by hand and meticulously sort all the grapes to eliminate unhealthy fruit. They are immediately pressed in a pneumatic press to retain maximum fruit and aromatic extraction. Bottling takes place after 13 months barrel aging for the Premier and Grand Crus. The traditional Clerc label has been modernized and is now as elegant and sophisticated as the wines.
Domaine Jean-Marc Bouley
Winery: Domaine Jean-Marc Bouley
Region: Burgundy
Sub-region: Pommard
Pommard a/c
Pommard 1er Cru ‘Les Fremiers’
Volnay ‘Clos de la Cave’
Jean-Marc Bouley’s domaine, which has been in his family for three generations, now consists of 12 hectares in Volnay, Pommard and Beaune. The winery is located underneath his house on a steep narrow street in the village of Volnay. The house was originally built by a retired railroad engineer, and the cellars resemble train tunnels. Jean-Marc took over the domaine in 1985 and significantly expanded the holdings, buying choice parcels in Volnay and Pommard. He immediately attained international acclaim for his exciting, dramatic Pinot Noirs. Today, he makes wines from 11 different appellations. Bouley aims for maximum extraction of color, flavor and aromas to yield wines that are lushly fruity, yet balanced and complex.
Domaine Michel Briday
Winery: Domaine Michel Briday
Region: Burgundy
Sub-region: Rully
Rully Blanc
Michel Briday and his son, Stephane, run the Briday family domaine in Rully. Their cellars are located in the heart of the medieval village of Rully. The Chardonnay vines are planted on the best hillside sites on clay-limestone soils, at varying altitudes. The Bridays harvest by hand and ferment their whites in stainless steel tanks. This Domaine produces some of the most stylish and rich wines in the Cote Chalonnaise.
Domaine Michelot
Winery: Domaine Michelot
Region: Burgundy
Sub-region: Meursault
Bourgogne Blanc
Meursault ‘Clos St. Feliz – Monopole
Meursault Charmes
Beginning with the 1993 vintage, Jean-Francois Mestre assumed contol of the winemaking at Domaine Michelot, the famed 22 hectare Meursault estate. Mestre, who is married to one of Bernard Michelot’s four daughters, has reinvigorated this large domaine and today they are once again among the finest Meursault’s around. The house style, which offers sumptuous, concentrated and fleshy wines, aims to give immense pleasure in the medium term. This is why the Domaine releases their wines relatively late; they are concerned that the wines be fully appreciated when they are uncorked.
Domaine Morat
Winery: Domaine Chataigneraie-Laborier
Region: Burgundy
Sub-region: Pouilly-Fuissé
Pouilly Fuissé Belemnites
Pouilly Fuissé a/c
Morat (formerly Chataigneraie-Laborier) produces stunning, dramatic whites that are being imported to the USA for the first time. The term “Belemnite” refers to a fossil that is common in the vineyard soils. The wines have great aromatic intensity and stunning concentration. No pesticides, no herbicides, and hand harvesting provide pure, crystalline fruit. Fresh and delightful.
Domaine Robert Arnoux
Winery: Robert Arnoux
Region: Burgundy
Sub-region: Côtes de Nuits
Clos Vougeot
Since 1990, Pascal Lachaux, son in law of the late Robert Arnoux, has been in charge of the famous estate in Vosne Romanee. The domaine has been in the Arnoux family for five generations. With holdings in some of Burgundy’s greatest vineyards – Romanee St. Vivant, Clos Vougeot, Echezeaux, Nuits St. Georges and Vosne-Romanee Premiers Crus – Domaine Robert Arnoux wines are some of the finest expressions of the privileged terroirs. The domaine has the unique advantage of having uniformly old vines in all of its parcels, making for a consistency of style. Lachaux aims for wines of great finesse and concentration, which reflect their respective terroirs. Domaine Robert Arnoux is now universally acknowledged as a superstar estate. In the words of Clive Coates, Pascal Lachaux “has now been producing splendid quality for a decade.”
Domaine Thomas
Winery: Domaine Thomas
Region: Burgundy
Sub-region: Saint Veran
St. Veran
One of the finest estates in St-Veran today is Domaine Thomas Founded in 1934, Domaine Thomas and now extends over 12 hectares on southwest facing slopes. The majority of production is the estate bottled St.-Veran.
Lucien Thomas, owner and winemaker, produces his St-Veran from old-vines planted around a remarkable, single-block, south south-west facing amphitheater vineyard. This privileged, very sunny location allows his grapes to attain excellent ripeness and concentrated flavors. The vineyards are ploughed, the vines pruned severely, and yields carefully monitored by cluster-thinning. Thomas seeks the fullest expression of fruit and terroir, and uses mostly stainless steel cuves in his winery.
His wines have been regularly acclaimed by the critics for their focus, purity and intensity.
The St-Veran, made from 40-50 year old vines, bursts with ripe pear and citrus flavors and a long, minerally finish. Focus, clarity and intensity of fruit are the hallmark of Thomas wines. This exciting St-Veran is a great match for lobster and scallops, veal piccata, and grilled chicken.