BURGUNDY, WHAT ELSE?

Burgundy will always be home to some of the world’s rarest and most exclusive wines due to scarcity alone. What makes Burgundy wines so special, is that Burgundy, more than probably any other wine region in the world, is completely influenced by its terroir. Terroir is a unique sense of place. It was as early as the 14th century when the monks who farmed the land, began to understand the various strengths of specific sites, and implemented a ranking system according to the quality they perceived. Today, as with many premier regions in France, the vineyards have been formally graded according to quality. However, even the lower ranked vineyards have virtues that allow them to express regional purity and varietal correctness.

The importance of Burgundy is the wine’s ability to create pleasure through elegance, and not through power. The two primary grape varieties of Burgundy are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Chardonnay for white wines, Pinot Noir for red wines.

Let’s make a clear statement: we love Burgundy wines.

But due to the limited availability of these wines caused by lower yields related to challenging weather conditions and a bigger worldwide demand than ever before, we asked ourselves: will there be any alternatives?

During our next open bottles day on the 5th of November we give you the opportunity to discuss this item.

We will open a bottle of Chardonnay from the Langhe region in Piemont and a bottle of Spätburgunder aka Pinot Noir from Baden, Germany.

What might be the next big thing?

Beaujolais is an often overlooked region in the south of Burgundy, but during the last decade the quality of the Cru Beaujolais wines (grape variety Gamay) is rising, so we will also taste a Moulin-à-Vent.

Reflecting on the concept of terroir and purity Etna Rosso (grape variety Nerello Mascalese)  came to our mind. Often nicknamed as the ‘Burgundy of Italy’. To cite Alberto Graci, the winemaker, describing the terroir of the Etna: ‘Etna is a special place. First it has the sun of Sicily but a climate moderated by altitude. Second, it has volcanic soils. Third, it has old ungrafted vineyards’.

The fifth potential ‘escape’ could be a wine from Côtes Catalanes. This is a region with old vineyards, you find altitude (which means freshness) and poor soils here. The region attracted during the last twenty years skillfull producers interested in low-intervention and terroir-driven wines. One of them is James Eden, his ‘Petite Semaine’ will be one of the bottles to taste.

YOU’RE INVITED TO THIS CHALLENGING OPEN BOTTLES DAY.

NEXT SATURDAY THE 5th OF NOVEMBER AT

WINE&ROSES, FROM 3 TILL 6 P.M.