2021 Grolleau “Franc de Pied”Bernard Baudry
France | Loire
$36
Producers
The first thing many people notice on their initial visit to Burgundy is the tight spacing of the vines. Most often the rows are a mere meter apart—just wide enough for a horse. When Jean-Marc planted this parcel in 2004, he made the spacing even tighter, cutting the distance between vines by a third. Those few feet are too narrow even for a horse! Only humans can pass through, which is how these vines have been worked since day one. The high-density planting keeps the ground and grapes under shade in the increasingly hot Burgundian summers, allowing the terroir’s earthy and effusive character to shine through.
—Chris Santini
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2018 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Pinot Noir |
Appellation: | Santenay |
Country: | France |
Region: | Burgundy |
Producer: | Domaine Jean-Marc Vincent |
Winemaker: | Anne-Marie & Jean-Marc Vincent |
Vineyard: | 7 - 50 years, .81 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | Aged for a minimum of 15 months |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 14.4% |
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy | Nuits-Saint-Georges
Domaine Follin-Arbelet France | Burgundy | Romanée-Saint-Vivant
Bruno Colin France | Burgundy | Chassagne-Montrachet
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy | Nuits-Saint-Georges
Henri Costal France | Burgundy | Chablis
In eastern central France, Burgundy is nestled between the wine regions of Champagne to the north, the Jura to the east, the Loire to the west, and the Rhône to the south. This is the terroir par excellence for producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The southeast-facing hillside between Dijon in the north and Maranges in the south is known as the Côte d’Or or “golden slope.” The Côte d’Or comprises two main sections, both composed of limestone and clay soils: the Côte de Nuits in the northern sector, and the Côte de Beaune in the south. Both areas produce magnificent whites and reds, although the Côte de Beaune produces more white wine and the Côte de Nuits more red.
Chablis is Burgundy’s northern outpost, known for its flinty and age-worthy Chardonnays planted in Kimmeridgian limestone on an ancient seabed. Vézelay is a smaller area south of Chablis with similar qualities, although the limestone there is not Kimmeridgian.
To the south of the Côte de Beaune, the Côte Chalonnaise extends from Chagny on its northern end, down past Chalon-sur-Saône and encompasses the appellations of Bouzeron in the north, followed by Rully, Mercurey, Givry, and Montagny.
Directly south of the Chalonnaise begins the Côte Mâconnais, which extends south past Mâcon to the hamlets of Fuissé, Vinzelles, Chaintré, and Saint-Véran. The Mâconnais is prime Chardonnay country and contains an incredible diversity of soils.
Domaine Régis Bouvier France | Burgundy | Morey Saint Denis
Domaine Larue France | Burgundy | Blagny
Bruno Colin France | Burgundy | Puligny-Montrachet
Domaine Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy | Chablis
Domaine Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy | Chablis
Domaine Larue France | Burgundy | Saint-Aubin
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy | Nuits-Saint-Georges
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy | Corton Rognet
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy | Nuits-Saint-Georges
Domaine Follin-Arbelet France | Burgundy | Romanée-Saint-Vivant
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy | Corton Rognet
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy | Pommard 1er Cru
A good doctor prescribed the wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges to the Sun King, Louis XIV, when he suffered an unknown maladie. When the king’s health was restored the tasty remedy enjoyed a vogue at court. Lord, send me a doctor like that!
Inspiring Thirst, page 117
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol
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