Burgundy

Burgundy conjures up images of classic but expensive wines beyond reach. Certainly some of the world’s finest wines hail from the region which comprises (from north to south) Chablis, the Côte d'Or (Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune), the Côte Chalonnaise, Maconnais and Beaujolais where Gamay takes over from Pinot Noir as the main grape for red wines. Pinot Noir is a fragile variety, easily spoilt by excessive fining and filtration so it is better to accept some sediment in even a fairly young wine rather than the loss of fruit and body. The better producers are waking up to this and minimal clarification is now practiced at the better estates. Chardonnay is the world's favourite white wine variety and, as such, needs little introduction. However, for all the efforts of so many New World producers as well as many in France, Italy and Spain, the soils and climate of Burgundy are so well suited to this variety that in the best years unrivalled Chardonnays are produced in Chablis, the Côte de Beaune, the Chalonnaise and the Maconnaise.

With so many small parcels of separately owned vineyards, it is essential to know which producers to look out for. Trial and error is a sure but expensive way to achieve this; recommendations from friends, reliable wine merchants or critics can help point the less experienced in the right direction. We are thrilled to be working with Domaine Joblot, widely regarded as the best estate in the Chalonnaise, and Justin Girardin who is taking his family's domaine in Santenay to a new level.