All Wine from Bourgogne is Expensive? Mais Non! 

The Press Room in Chicago was the setting for my conversation with Anne Moreau, Co-President of the Bourgogne (Burgundy) Wine Board’s Communication Committee since January 2018. A facet of Anne’s position is to share the love of wines from Bourgogne to avid wine enthusiasts and us regular people who treasure a good glass of wine. That part of her job is easy. The challenge is to convince everyone that vignerons who produce outstanding wines also offer those that are not only palate pleasing, but moderately priced, too.

 

There are five wine-producing regions in Bourgogne: Chablis & Grand Auxerrois, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, and Maconnais. Further, there are 100 Bourgogne appellations divided into four levels: Appellations Grand Crus (wines produced on the best plots (climats) on village land), Appellations Premiers Crus (wines produced on very accurately defined plots of land (climats) within a village), Appellations Villages (wines produced on land around wine-growing villages and bearing their name), and Appellations Regionales (wines produced over the entire Bourgogne wine-growing area). Confused? You may want to click here and visit the Bourgognes Wines website that offers a plethora of fascinating information.

The Bourgogne Wine Board couldn’t have chosen a more gregarious and knowledgeable person to share their mission with others. Originally from southwestern France, Anne was introduced to the world of wine by her father, a true lover of our favorite beverage. With a business degree and plenty of experience in public relations, sales, and management, Anne is putting her finely honed skills to work as the public relations manager for Domaine Louis Moreau in Chablis. Oh yes. Anne is married to Louis Moreau, whom she met at Vinexpo in Bordeaux. (Please click here for my article about the food and Chablis pairing dinner at which I met Louis Moreau.)

There are lesser known appellations in Burgundy that are affordable. They deserve to be highlighted and discussed. We don’t want people to think that they can’t find a bottle of Bourgogne that’s out of their price range. Anne Moreau

That said, Anne opened a few bottles to prove her point and we tasted a range of styles from a Crémant de Bourgogne to a bold Pinot Noir from Côte de Nuits.

Our first taste was a bargain of bubbles in the form of JCB No. 69 by Jean-Charles Boisset. At only $23.99, this Crémant de Bourgogne, produced using the méthode champenoise, was mostly Pinot Noir with a touch of Chardonnay. With refreshing red fruit notes on the nose and palate, this elegant sparkling was a true expression of the refinement of Bourgogne. Although I could enjoy each sip with a bowl of popcorn, I’ll add appetizers, salads, chicken or fish, or (heck!) anything to the long list!

We know that Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the predominant grapes of Bourgogne. Others include Gamay, a red variety, and Aligoté, a white that comprises only 6% of all plantings. As Anne opened a lovely Bourgogne Aligoté 2015 from Francois Mikulski and poured a taste, she suggested that Aligoté was becoming “trendy”. Maybe so! I found this wine absolutely delicious (and so was the price at around $21) thanks to its pleasant, friendly profile of bright citrus, lively acidity, and a crisp finish.  Consider yourself a trendsetter once you’ve poured a few sips for friends at happy hour and hear their accolades.

The palate profile of the Simonnet-Febvre Saint Bris Sauvignon Blanc 2015, at a price of only $12.00, is a stunner. The area is in the Auxerrois region located in close proximity to Sancerre in the Loire Valley, so it’s no surprise that I noted striking elements of minerality along with white flowers, honey, and spice on the nose. Clearly, this wine and the area deserve a fair amount of attention. I gave it plenty… and will continue to do so as I pair this with oysters, goat cheeses, and my favorite curry dishes.

A classic Chablis was poured from where else? Domaine Louis Moreau! The Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis 1er Cru Vaulignot is a classic Chablis at a budget friendly price of around $35.99. Rich and intense aromas of honey and ripe orchard fruit led to a palate replete with minerality, florals, juicy citrus and an elegant finish. Anne explained that Vaulignot is from a lesser known climat that’s producing remarkable wines. Clearly, this is one.

As for the reds… Anne opened the Domaine de la Ferte 2013 Givry Premier Cru “Servoisine” at a well-priced $39.99. From the Côte Chalonnaise, this balanced Pinot Noir exuded red fruit aromas, well integrated tannins, lively but not overpowering acidity, and flavors of red berries and hint of spice. The region is expansive with hills and a diverse exposure to the sun. We bantered about potential food pairings and agreed upon grilled tuna, grilled swordfish, and monkfish.

Our final pour was of Domaine Pierre Gelin Fixin, a traditional Bourgogne Rouge from the Côte de Nuits region, Côte d’Or, an area in close proximity to Givry. At an affordable price point of $24.99, this elegant wine presented depth, smooth tannins, balanced red fruit and earthy profile that was as complex as it was delicious.

Prior to writing this article, I shared with a wine colleague its premise. With a slight scoff and knitted eyebrows, he couldn’t believe that I actually tasted budget-friendly wines from this iconic region. He proceeded to wax poetic about the best vintage years and the most highly regarded Domaines of the region. I get it! I love tasting wines from terrific vintages produced by, what many perceive are, the best Domaines.

However, I’m not a wine snob and frankly, I’m betting that you aren’t either. What all of us are looking for are wines that deliver high quality for the price we pay. The bonus is if we discover wines so notable and affordable that we’ll purchase them again and again!

Thanks to Anne Moreau, I found six gems from Bourgogne that will have a place in my glass on a regular basis. And now, you can too.

Cheers! ~ Cindy