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10th Edition Les Grands Jours De Bourgogne

Wine friends, I’ve been obsessed with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir since my visit to Burgundy to take part in the Les Grand Jours De Bourgogne – a very exciting week in the lives of journalists and trade professionals, and of course the winemakers throughout Burgundy. This was my second visit and the officials who have organized it have done a spectacular job. This year, also, the weather cooperated, as two years ago I arrived in Chablis for the first day’s tasting in a suit without a coat.
 

Maison des Vins de Chablis - in the sun!

Now, if you have been to Chablis, you know that Saks Fifth Avenue is not exactly around the corner. And if you have not seen Chablis, but have been to Disneyland and have seen the castle of Sleeping Beauty, you get a sense of what this charming village is like. Making up for the freezing rain and wind that day two years ago were the delicious 2006 Chablis and the very warm welcome of the producers of Chablis and Auxerrois.
 

chablis room

This year, the welcome was equally warm – and so was the weather. I had dressed for a Siberian blizzard in anticipation of the grey cold, yet the sun was so gorgeous and warm it felt like St. Tropez. Though only two years had passed, this year I knew many of the producers by name, since a key team of producers from Chablis had come to Manhattan.

Also, Laurent Droughin had his own tasting, and I got some voice commentary about grand cru.

I was able to say hello once again to Jean Francois Bordet, last seen in Manhattan where after an impressive seminar and tasting he was off to shop. It was also thrilling to meet the producers whose name I had only seen on the bottles of Chablis, such as young Romain Collet whose family had been making fine wine for hundreds of years.
 

chablis buffet

In addition to knowing so many of the producers from past visits to Burgundy, such as the Hospices de Beanue, I recognized many friends I have made on many other trips to wine regions around the world, partly through WSET and the Masters of Wine program. During the incredible buffet lunch (the French do things so well) showcasing traditional cuisine from Chablis and Auxerrois, guests were able to taste all the different wines, as well as earlier vintages.

The first day of Les Grands Jours sets the tone for the rest of the week, and seeing all my favorite producers, tasting the new vintage and meeting new producer friends, was so fabulous I left just knowing the rest of the week would be fantastic!

(to see Day 2, please click here)
To see Day 3 please click here
To See Day 4/5 please click here

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