Burgundy

most wine journeys end UP in burgundy…

Burgundy is not where most people begin their wine journeys; but it is where often many of us find ourselves at the end. For most wine lovers, Burgundy is the one that poses the deepest philosophical and spiritual questions and has the most subtle nuances in flavor, one that can only be fully appreciated through experience. Importantly, these characteristics and small production quantities also make these Burgundy wines some of the most sought after, and therefore, the most expensive.

What is it about this wine from such a small, almost secluded region that makes it so compelling? Above all, great Burgundies are stunningly complex. Drinking them can be an exercise in discernment, refinement, and patience as subtle layers of flavor reveal itself.

The great Burgundies are also indisputably sensual. For centuries, they have been described in the most erotic of ways, and sipping them has been compared, among other things, to falling in love. This sensuality extends beyond the wines’ provocatively primal aromas and flavors. The top Burgundies have beguiling textures that melt over or dance upon the palate in ways that make them unforgettable.

While a small handful of grape varieties are grown in Burgundy, two dominate production: chardonnay and pinot noir. Both grapes achieve their greatest elegance when planted in a cool climate. Of all the wine regions that are famous for red wine, Burgundy is the farthest north and therefore the coolest in temperature. This also makes Burgundy wines most vulnerable to years with less sun and more frequent rains, and there is a wide discrepancies among vintages. Thus, even the priciest and the most pedigreed Burgundies can occasionally be disappointing, making it even more adventurous for the wine aficionados.

Finally, Burgundy wines are known for small production quantities. Burgundy has thousands of tiny vineyards, each typically with dozens of owners. To understand this phenomenon, the historical context is important. By the end of the seventeenth century, Burgundy’s vineyards were owned by the Roman Catholic Church. In contrast, Bordeaux was already a large, commercially successful, sophisticated area where vineyard estates were owned and operated by wealthy merchants and aristocrats. With the French Revolution in the late 1700s, the new state confiscated the church’s holdings, broke the vineyards into tiny parcels and auctioned them off to local peasants. Burgundy’s small parcels have since been passed down within families.