In 1787, Thomas Jefferson visited Burgundy, recording his favorite wines in a journal: Chambertin, Romanée(-Conti), Clos Vougeot, and Montrachet. Jefferson wasn’t the first or the last to recognize the greatness of Montrachet, and today most consider it the finest white wine vineyard in the world.
Like many in Burgundy, the Domaine Roger Belland isn’t flashy. There’s just a small sign next to the door on the street, and you have to enter the cellar before seeing any of their many winemaking awards. But the Bellands have made wine since 1839, and Master of Wine Clive Coates calls them “among the best sources in Santenay.”
Some things take some getting used to before you can enjoy them. Coffee may be one of the world’s most popular drinks, but is bitter and astringent to children taking a first sip. At first, many wine drinkers dislike the petrol notes in old German Riesling, or the barnyard in old red Burgundy. But many eventually spend years seeking out those elusive characteristics.
The idea of value is extremely subjective when it comes to wine. A $60 bottle of Burgundy might seem a steal to some, an extravagance to others. But nearly everyone agrees that Muscadet is just about the best bargain going.
The town of Morey-St-Denis is typical of the tiny scale of Burgundy. Home to fewer than 700 souls and boasting less than half a square mile of vineyards, the town has long played second fiddle to its more famous neighbors Chambolle-Musigny and Gevrey-Chambertin. But in fact Morey holds five Grand Cru vineyards and produces excellent red Burgundies that age beautifully.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most widely planted grape. Best known for its starring role in the great wines of California and Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross, likely spontaneous, between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon blanc — a fortunate gift from the winemaking gods. Its potential for aging is unrivaled.
The January Issue of our Futures Program has just been released. Futures offers near wholesale pricing through advance orders. The deadline for the January Issue is Sunday, January 24.
If Burgundy is the heart of the Pinot Noir universe, then Vosne-Romanée is the heart of Burgundy. Celebrated for eight centuries and boasting some of the world’s most sought-after wines, Vosne-Romanée is considered Mecca for Burgundy enthuisasts and Pinotphiles around the world.
In our search for expressions of terroir, we never tire of sampling local flavors. Oysters from Belon, chèvre from the Loire, butter from Isigny — these foods represent their regions as much as any stony Chablis or rich Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
We’ve always found it hard to get too excited about New Year’s celebrations — but we’ll take any excuse to gather family and friends for a fancy dinner. So we’ve put together a mixed case of four wines for a complete New Year’s Feast. Whether you’re celebrating the end of this year or the beginning of the next, this case will help the transition.
We’ve put together four mixed cases of Champagne and sparkling wines for your New Year’s celebration. Options start at $17.5/bot, mixed cases are discounted up to $99, and East Coast shipping is FREE. Order deadline for New Year’s Eve delivery is Monday 12/28.
Each region in France has its own distinct identity. To drive across the country is to pass through a remarkable diversity of cuisines, traditions, accents, history, and, of course, wines. Each winegrowing region offers a different set of grapes and flavors, and we think there’s no better expression of a particular corner of France than its wines.
It’s easy to forget just how small the scale of winemaking is in Burgundy. The entire town of Chambolle-Musigny, for instance, has a population of 320 and covers about 430 acres, less than a square mile. But the wines from this tiny town have been highly sought after since the 15th century.
Muscadet has long a favorite by-the-glass wine at oyster bars around the world. And we’ll admit that there is little else (except perhaps Chablis) that washes down a plate of raw oysters so well as a brisk glass of Muscadet. Until recently, Muscadets were inexpensive and uncomplicated — a delicious wine cheerfully lacking in ceremony and grandeur.
In the debate about the value of material goods vs. experience, most assume that goods create greater satisfaction because they’re less fleeting. Science suggests, however, that experiences actually provide longer-lasting happiness. We like to think that wine is a perfect mix of the two.