Burgundy
For 2,000 years, the men and women of the Bourgogne winegrowing region have been creating exceptional wines. Over the centuries, they have acquired and optimized unique expertise, the very signature of the Bourgogne winegrowing region.
The Climats of the Bourgogne wine growing region were included on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 4 July 2015. The area of the Climats of the Bourgogne winegrowing region covered by the UNESCO World Heritage List includes the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, which extend over a 60km geological fault line, as well as the towns of Dijon and Beaune. The unique character of the Climats, their position in the hierarchy of Premiers and Grands Crus, and the culture and history of the Bourgogne winegrowing region make this a territory of outstanding universal value. It includes the following wine producing areas (listed from north to south):
o Chablis & Grand Auxerrois
o Châtillonnais
o Côte de Nuits & Hautes Côtes de Nuits
o Côte de Beaune & Hautes Côtes de Beaune
o Côte Chalonnaise & Couchois
o Mâconnais
Come and discover more about Bourgogne, the birthplace of terroir in this video produced by BIVB
Allow me to present an epicurean selection of wines from Gevrey Chambertin in the North all the way to Vergisson in the Maconnais
Domaine Duroché
Gevrey-Chambertin
While Gevrey Chambertin has more than its fair share of "Rock Stars", it is nice to see a young winemaker not trying to make his mark by emulating some of the big/flashy/oaky proponents in the village.
In the 2017 vintage, Pierre Duroche & his wife Marianne began purchasing a small amount of fruit from her family, adding both Vosne-Romanée Village and Echezeaux Grand Cru to their already impressive ensemble of terroirs.
As one of France's celebrated rock climbers, Pierre's determination and precision come through in his wines, which possess the delicacy and strength of lace.
Domaine Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier Chambolle Musigny
The estate was founded in 1863 by Frédéric’s great-great-grandfather, a liquor-maker in Dijon. Situated in the village of Chambolle Musigny sandwiched between Morey-St-Denis and Clos Vougeot to the South.
“Fredy Mugnier’s wines are characterised by both elegance and power, often represented as hallmarks of Chambolle-Musigny, but so often lacking. When young, they exhibit masses of red fruit and, with time, blossom into wines of great delicacy, underpinned by restrained but powerful structures.” .. Remington Norman MW
Domaine Méo Camuzet
Vosne-Romanée
“Méo-Camuzet is one of the undisputed star estates of Burgundy. The history of the Domaine is linked to the most prestigious vineyards of burgundy, known throughout the world for centuries. To be worthy of them and to remain loyal to them, the estate has developed a know-how inspired by tradition: they transcend ancestral methods so as to express the quintessence of each appellation” … Jasper Morris
The estate came down from Jean Méo’s great-uncle, Etienne Camuzet, the last private owner of Château de Clos Vougeot. They offer an enviable line up of 6 Grand Crus, 10 Premier Crus and several Village level wines covering the best of Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-St-Georges. These rare, stunning wines are a Burgundy lover’s dream.
Thibault Liger Belair Nuits-Saint-Georges
This Domaine has been in the Liger-Belair family for 250 years. In 1720, Claude Marey, the king’s secretary and mayor of Nuits, and a vineyard proprietor, founded the C. Marey house to sell his fine wines. In 2001, Vincent’s son, Thibault Liger-Belair all of 26 years, took over the vines as the winemaker and created Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair.
The year 2002 was the first harvest of the Nuits-Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint- Georges Charmottes, as well as Vosne-Romanée Aux Reas. In 2003, the domaine enriched its range with Richebourg Grand Cru, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru, Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Petits Monts and Bourgogne Rouge. Since then Thibault has added even more wines to his portfolio.
Clive Coates, MW refers to Thibault as one of the most talented young vignerons!
Domaine Marquis d’Angerville Volnay
Situated in Volnay, the seat of the powerful Dukes of Burgundy, famous since long referred to as Voulenay by Thomas Jefferson when he toured France. Domaine bottling in Burgundy can be said to have begun in Volnay. Guillaume’s grandfather, Sem, was a critic of the fraudulent practice very much prevalent back then of blending the wines of Burgundy with lesser wines by the negociants. He began to bottle and sell his wines under his own label.
Guillaume d’Angerville continues the family tradition of looking after the estate which has been in their family since Baron du Mesnil acquired Clos des Ducs in 1804. He previously worked as an Investment banker before taking over the estate after his father Jacques passed away in 2003. He has since added his own stamp by converting the estate to biodynamics in 2006.
Domaine du Pelican
Guillaume D'Angerville became obsessed with the Jura and his search for an ideal vineyard led him and Francois Duvivier to purchase two Domaines, one with well tended vines and another where the vineyards were in need of some rehabilitation. At Chateau Chavanes in Montigny-les-Arsures, they created a state of the art winery surrounded by 5 hectares of biodynamically farmed vines that had been impeccably replanted 10 years prior by former owner Francois de Chavanes. The domaine is supported by an additional 5 hectares of chemically-free vines formerly farmed by Jean-Marc Brignot at a site of high-quality geology and exposure.
He named it Domaine du Pélican, a reference to the pelican on the crest of the city of Arbois.
Pascal Prunier Bonheur Meursault
I was at a wine tasting event in Beaune. There were many famous vignerons there including some of my favourites. I went around the room tasting all the famous wines. Its then I turned my attention to unknown producers. I stopped at Pascals table to give his wines a try. One sip is all it took for me to take note. I immediately followed this up with a visit to his cellar in Meursault. I was hooked by then. His wines have a purity, they are balanced, authentic, and enjoyable young as well as after many years of cellaring. You can just sit back and enjoy them.
They say wine is made in the vineyard. It defines the quality of the grape. Pascal, is warm and shy, has a natural flair to deliver stunning quality. It’s much more than the sum of his calloused hands, old vines neighbouring famous plots and attention to detail in the vineyard. …. a gifted warm hearted man and his wines reflect that!
Pierre-Yves-Colin-Morey Chassagne-Montrachet
“One of the most gifted winemakers of his generation” … Revue du Vin de France
Pierre-Yves Colin is the eldest son of the famed Marc Colin. After gaining experience at his father’s Domaine he went on in 2005 to establish Domaine Pierre Yves Colin Morey in Chassagne Montrachet. Since that time, he has rapidly become a star in the Cote de Beaune and is now considered one of Burgundy’s top producers. He has an extensive portfolio covering wines from St Aubin, Chassagne Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault and even the Grand Cru Chevalier-Montrachet and Batard Montrachet.
DOMAINE PAUL PILLOT
“Domaine Paul Pillot, today one of the finest addresses in the Côte de Beaune, has been directed since 2004 by the young and dynamic Thierry Pillot. Characterful, elegantly textural and mouthwateringly incisive, these are superb white Burgundies…readers shouldn’t hesitate to buy whatever bottles they can find.”
-William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Thierry and his sister Chrystelle
Domaine de Villaine
Bouzeron
Domaine de Villaine is located in Bouzeron, nestled in the Côte Chalonnaise region between Chassagne-Montrachet and Santenay to the North and Rully and Mercurey to the South.
Planted with vines by the monks of Cluny in the Middle Ages, this small, sunny valley has a rich and lengthy tradition of producing quality wines which reflect their exceptional terroir.
The domaine began conversion to organic farming in 1986, becoming certified in 1997 and has continued its research to apply a free and natural cultural method by application of the biodynamic philosophy since few years now.
Domaine Barraud Vergisson
Wine makers for several generations, Domaine Barraud strives to emphasize the expression of its terroir, while respecting tradition.
They are located in the heart of one of France’s most highly regarded wine regions. They belong to the group Artisan Wine Makers of Southern Burgundy, an Association created in 2004 by a group of winemaker friends in the Maconnais with an aim to promote wines produced with a respect for human and artisanal agriculture. Certified Biodynamic.