Burgundy is a region in east/central France covering 75 miles north to south along the Saone River, a tributary of the Rhone. The main sub-regions beginning in the north include:
- Cote d’Auxerre – known for Chablis that is flinty/steely with high acidity
- Cote d’Or – including Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune. Cote de Nuits is known mainly for Pinot Noir. Cote de Beaune is known for Chardonnay in a rich, buttery style, and elegant, perfumed Pinot Noir. Cote de Beaune is also where you would find Montrachet, the prestigious white wine made from Chardonnay.
- Cote Chalonnaise – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligote, a crisp white, and Crémant which is a sparkling wine.
- Maconnais – crisp, fruit-forward Chardonnay and lighter red and Rosé wines made from Gamay and Pinot Noir.
- Beaujolais – 90% red wines made from Gamay. Light and fruity.
Quality classifications:
- Premier Cru – like an Estate wine, grapes are sourced from a specific vineyard of a specific vineyard.
- Grand Cru – The best 1% of all vineyards in Burgundy.
Burgundy wines available at Circle:
- Joseph Drouhin – A variety of Burgundy wines at different price points including Chablis, Villages (Beaujolais), Pouilly Fuisse (white), Bourgogne Blanc, Cotes du Beaune (Pinot Noir).
- Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages – A classic that is always appreciated as a holiday host/hostess gift. Its light and fruity character served lightly chilled make this wine perfect for summer. Louis Jadot also produces many wines from Burgundy including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pouilly Fuisse.
- Colin Moray Rosé de Pinot Noir – another great Rosé option for summer.
- Desvignes Givry Rouge – a Pinot Noir from the Cote Chalonnaise sub-region. Elegant, terroir-driven style with notes of red fruit, spice, and earth. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and silky tannins.
Chet Malloy, the wine master at Circle Liquors, has some great finds that have just landed.
- Bouchard Meursault Bourgogne Blanc – Bouchard estate sources grapes throughout the Burgundy region. This one is a declassified Meursault appellation Chardonnay. A classic white Burgundy with apple and citrus, buttery mouth feel, and lightly oaked.
- Benoni Russian River Valley Chardonnay – a small, highly-acclaimed label that produces Burgundian-style wines. They source grapes from Russian River Valley and the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Tasting notes: stone fruit and citrus on the nose, rich and buttery on the palate (aged on the lees), with flavors of apple, peach, and light vanilla oak.
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