Saturday, February 8th
4:30 - 7:00
This Saturday we are going to delve into a selection of wines from one of France's most revered regions - Burgundy. For many long time wine lovers there is a mystique and magic to the wines from this small parcel of France. To many, this region is the true home to the world's greatest Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, and provides the purest and ultimate expressions of both grapes. For those just getting into wine, the names and labels of Burgundies can be confusing and intimidating, being named for the villages or vineyard sites where they are grown. Burgundy has a higher number of legally designated appellations (AOCs) than any other French region, and is often seen as the most terroir conscious. The various appellations are classified from carefully delineated Grand Cru vineyards down to more non-specific regional appellations. The dissection of the terroir in Burgundy, from village to village, plot to plot, sometimes even row to row, goes back to medieval times, when Benedictine and Cistercian monks intensely studied the region, taking meticulous notes. They recorded where the best fruit consistently grew, which grapes succeeded the most in which areas, and really helped capture its identity. While the large majority of Burgundy wines are either Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, they can seem distant relatives to their California brethren. I always have to hide a smirk when someone goes on about how tired they are of Chardonnay, but in the same breath extol the virtues of White Burgundy. Many of you may have experienced Pinot Noir for the first time in the form of Meiomi, or one of the other California fruit driven examples, and would be shocked in a blind tasting to find the Bourgogne Rouge to be made of the same grape. For you fans (or haters) of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this will be a great opportunity to see how different those grapes can be when grown in other areas. And for those of you already in love with the flavors of Burgundy - well, we will see you Saturday!
Jean-Luc Joillot Crémant de Bourgogne
Burgundy, France, NV
Marcel Servin Chablis
Chablis AC, France, 2017
Chateau de Chaintré Macon-Chaintré
Macon-Chaintré AC, France, 2017
Domaine de Verchères Bourgogne Rouge
Burgundy, France, 2018
Domaine Jouard Santenay Vieilles Vignes
Santenay AC, France, 2017
Jean-Luc Joillot Crémant de Bourgogne
Burgundy, France, NV
Marcel Servin Chablis
Chablis AC, France, 2017
Chateau de Chaintré Macon-Chaintré
Macon-Chaintré AC, France, 2017
Domaine de Verchères Bourgogne Rouge
Burgundy, France, 2018
Domaine Jouard Santenay Vieilles Vignes
Santenay AC, France, 2017