As a seasoned wine writer, I’ve seen my share of creative wine promotions, yet nothing – so far – has exceeded a recent promotion for Burgundy wine created by the Burgundy Wine Board (BIVB) and Sopexa! The idea of the promotion was to showcase the the regions and wines of Burgundy and show how well [...]

Fabulous tasting today with the Somm Guild at CorkBuzz! Matt Stamp MS led a tutored tasting of different appelations, from Petit Chablis to Grand Cru. The first hour was basically a history of the region from 90 AD … the Romans made wine, yet waves of different rulers changed the structure every few centuries. Then, [...]

How fabulous to have Anne Parent as a speaker in today’s presentation for NYC journalists and trade about the terroir of Burgundy. The audience consisted of the city’s most vibrant journalists and trade representatives — and even though most of us were familiar with Burgundy and its terroir — it was so valuable to taste [...]

“This is absolutely fantastic!” a guest exclaims, entering the ground floor reception area of the famous Clos de Vougeot and seeing handsomely uniformed waiters pouring tastes of the region’s finest red and white wines. Everyone here is thrilled to be invited to the Union des Maisons de Vins de Bourgogne event which features the world’s [...]

Fabulous 11th edition of the Grands Jours for trade and media in Burgundy. This was my 3rd time at the event (which takes place every two years) and involves tasting the wines of various regions each day of the week. For example, Monday’s event took place at the Maison des Vins de Chablis et du [...]

Fabulous two days of tasting at Diva Beaune, a small event in conjunction with the Grands Jours de Bourgogne where small producers as well as major names and brands poured wine. I discovered many talented small producers here. Didier et Jean Louis AMIOT Domaine Robert AMPEAU et Fils Domaine Marquis D’ANGERVILLE Domaine ARLAUD Père et [...]

  … so this is a quick post as I am SLOWLY talking about the fabulous producers I met at the Vertical Tasting in association with La Paulee in San Francisco organized by Daniel Johnnes. It was a super expensive and exclusive event, yet I felt like I had to experience it … … and [...]

  “I like a good farmer!” says Jeanne-Marie De Champs, owner of Domaines et Saveurs Collection in Burgundy. Jeanne-Marie represents over seventy producers and exports them to various countries, including the USA and my favorite wine stores. Jeanne-Marie is responding to my question about how she chooses the producers she represents. Each one I’ve met [...]

La Maltroye Winemaker and Chateau de la Maltroye owner Jean-Pierre Cournet has the exotic look of a jet-set film star as opens the door and greets us in his gorgeous 18th century Chateau in Chassagne-Montrachet.  It is high on a hill, with a gorgeous view of the village and darkening sky. And there’s something a [...]

  Domaine Meo Camuzet is a gorgeous, very modern looking winery in Vosne-Romanee. For many years I have been very excited to visit, because I know that Jeanne-Marie De Champs, owner of Domaines Et Saveurs Collection who  represents many top Burgundy wineries for export, trusts Meo Camuzet exclusively to elevate the wines she buys at [...]

Nicole Lamarche and her mother “Welcome!” says Nicole Lamarche, a petite, dark haired young woman with a quick, confident manner that silently supports the fact she is a brilliant winemaker. Since 1997 she has taken responsibility for the family’s prestigious line-up of Grands Echezeaux, Echezeaux and Clos Vougeot, and the best of the Vosne 1er [...]

“Welcome,” says the affable Dominique Gallois, owner and winemaker at Domaine Gallois, as his friendly dog wags a greeting. We have just driven through the charming, historic village of Gevrey-Chambertin to arrive at Mr. Gallois’s home and cellar, where a child’s bicycle is parked near the front door and two enthusiastic-looking music and video producers [...]

  “Your grandfather actaually used that press!” I can’t help but exclaim, looking at the large, crude, roughly hewn 12th century wine press in the equally antiquated looking cellar. Anyone might believe it was used by ancient Mesapotanian slaves rather than a hard-toiling Burgundian winemaker atop a small hill in the appellation of Fixin. Yet [...]

  Wine lovers in New York are gearing up for the The 151st Wine Auction of the Hospices de Beaune will take place November 20, 2011 in Beaune. Last night (Monday, October 24th, 2011) I attended a tasting at Christie’s, the auction house, of some of the wines that will be offered — you can see [...]

  Today at the Winebow portfolio tasting I had the good fortune to meet Jean-Michel Chartron, owner and winemaker of Domaine Jean Chartron in Puligny-Montrachet. He walked me through several of his wines and I was impressed by the quality! Even a simple Rully Montmorin 2008 was juicy and delicious, yet I especially liked the [...]

  One of the most fabulous things about Manhattan is that one has no need to jump on a jet to explore exotic wine regions, as the regions themselves come to us. On March 16, Burgundy Wines came to Manhattan to educate journalists about "the lesser known village appellations from Burgundy." Leading hte seminar was [...]

Tasting Notes at Drouhin Fabulous tasting at A Voce today of wines from Drouhin. I found the 2009 vintage fabulous … and spent a lot of time comparing the different villages. Laurent Drouhin explained the diffence between Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet in that the Puligny is usually more structured and acidic because of the limestone. I [...]

… okay, so maybe it’s a bit unfair to compare a 2008 and 2007 Bourgogne from two different regions. Yet when a favorite wine store clerk suggested I try the Domaine Michel Gros 2007 (around $30, but splurge, it’s the holidays) and 2008 Domaine Rollin (mid-twenties?)I was game Both were very good, yet perhaps the [...]

… so if you are reading this for the first time, before reading the "tale" below you should know that the goal of this exercise is to taste wines blind and deduce the vintage, grape, and other matters of importance. Typically, I have different stores (familiar with my objective) send me "themes" of wines in [...]

Cecile Mathiaud pouring wine at the December 8, 2010 Burgundy Training Seminar Imagine how lucky you would be to experience Burgundy right in the middle of Manhattan! Several lucky journalists were able to experience six wines from Burgundy, and two Cremant (sparkling wine) on December 8th 2010.  Narrating the seminar was Anne Parent of Domaine [...]