Burgundy

There is no region in the world that is viewed as the “Mecca” of wine like Burgundy is. Unlike Bordeaux or the Rhône which is a blend of varieties, both red and white Burgundies are almost always pure varietal wines – Pinot Noir for the reds and Chardonnay and occasionally Aligoté for the whites. The region lies due southwest of Champagne and is divided into several sub-regions. Chablis is the furthest north and produces some of the greatest whites from both its premier cru and grand cru sites. Citrus fruit, gun flint and oyster shell are just some of the notes it offers. Further south lies the Côte d’Or or the “Golden Slope”. This is the pinnacle of all Burgundian wine as it is the home to its capital town of Beaune, as well as to its greatest wines and villages – Gevrey Chambertin, Chambolle Musigny, Vosne Romanée, Puligny Montrachet and Chassagne Montrachet. Further south in the Côte Challonaise and the Maconnais, one can find some of Burgundy’s best priced wines, including appellations such as Mercurey and Givry for the reds, as well as Montagny, Bouzeron Aligoté, St. Véran, Macon and Pouilly Fuissé for the whites.