Posts from the ‘Burgundy’ Category

May 22

Domaine Roger Belland Satenay 1er Cru “Beauregard” 2009

From the first solo vintage of Julie Belland, the sixth generation vintner/daughter of Roger Belland, comes Domaine Roger Belland Satenay 1er Cru “Beauregard” 2009. In the family since 1839, the Domaine holds 23ha, 3.04ha of which are located in the 1er Cru Beauregard. Divided amongst four parcels, all of which are facing southeast, and can be viewed here, the 30-year-old Pinot Noir vines are planted to soils of fairly stony clay-limestone. To eliminate the need for treatments, the Bellands keep grass between the rows of vines, which helps maintain the structure of the soil while preventing any possible dilution of fruit.

Jan 17

Looking Back on Burgundy

Jean-Michel Gaunoux gripped by the jaws of his cellar pooch

Last year, we journeyed to Burgundy to visit with our producers, a trip that resulted in the most recent addition to our French Portfolio, Domaine de la Douaix. And so, as we were reflecting, we thought we’d revisit the posts that came of the trip (with a selection of unpublished photographs), for those who might have missed them the first time around.

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JEAN-MICHEL GAUNOUX:

A warm and unassuming man, Jean-Michel Gaunoux led us with a soft smile down to the cellar, where we perused the dusty bottles lying in wait. Here, amidst barrels and spectacular patterns of mold on the vaulted brick walls, he holds each vintage until it’s ready to be released, including his 1998 Pommard, which apparently is still too tight for the market. After a brief tour, we ascended the spiral staircase to visit the tasting room, so that we could taste through the bottles…(Read more here.)

Jan 7

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Welcoming Domaine de la Douaix

Gilles & Mark Moustie of Domaine de la Douaix at the Salon des Jeunes Talents

When we first met Mark and Gilles Moustie, the charmingly affable Belgium father/son team of Domaine de la Douaix, at the Salon des Jeunes Talents at the Grands Jours de Bourgogne, they were one of fifty young winemakers pouring their selections that day. And though we had tasted through most all of the wines at the event, it was clear to all of us that the wines from this duo were by far, the best that were presented at the Salon des Jeunes Talents.

Dec 6

Château des Rontets Pouilly-Fuissé Clos Varambon 2009

Last night we opened a bottle of Château des Rontets Pouilly-Fuissé Clos Varambon 2009, and it was singing a most harmonious and elegant tune. Crafted by our good friends at Château des Rontets, the Clos Varambon is organically certified by Ecocert, fermented with natural yeasts in 6 to 8 year old barrels without pigeage or remontage, and aged on fine lees for 12 months in old barrels from Chassin, Seguin Moreau and Darguad. Planted to 40-year-old vines at 350m, the Clos Varambon surrounds the Chateau and is the highest vineyard in Pouilly-Fuisse.

Nov 20

Romain Bouchard’s Organic Conversion

“Nature is stronger than man,” said Romain Bouchard as he laughed of his struggle; it’s been five years since his vineyards’ conversion. Starting in 2006 with his Domaine de la Grande Chaume, a 3.38ha property whose activity had ceased, Romain planted another property in 2007, while simultaneously starting the existing property’s conversion to organic.

Oct 17

“Vinification 2012″ at Domaine Roger Belland

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We just received this video from our dear friend Julie Belland, made by her father, Roger Belland, in Burgundy’s Santenay. Titled, “Vinification 2012″, the video is viewable HERE. Thanks Julie!

Sep 26

Domaine Tortochot, The 2012 Harvest Report

Chantal’s son Nicolas

We just received this Harvest Report from Chantal Tortochot of Domaine Tortochot in Gevrey-Chambertin, along with a selection of images from the harvest. Thanks Chantal!

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Report of Vintage 2012

The weather during the winter began with a mild and dry October and November, which deteriorated into a mild but wet December and early January.

It then became cold, when the temperatures descended to minus 18 °C, sufficient to maybe not damage the vines but to cause much damage to the other garden plants.

March saw an improvement with high temperatures for that time of the year and plenty of sun, but in April it became cold and wet with frost damage over the Easter weekend.

Jun 4

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Domaine Henri Delagrange et Fils

In the vineyard with Didier Delagrange–Clos de Chênes, Volnay

A gregarious man of zest and joie de vivre, Didier Delagrange is the 6th generation vintner at the family-owned Domaine Henri Delagrange et Fils, who began working with his parents in 1990, until he took to the reins in 2003. With 15ha under vine across the communes of Volnay, Pommard, Aloxe Corton, Meursault and Haute Cote de Beaune, Delagrange has been with TEW for the past 10 years, and so we were received like family when we visited with Didier to taste his wines and tour through the vineyards.

Apr 25

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In The Vineyard with Julie Belland

Julie Belland at the gates of Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeot Premier Cru Clos Pitois

Bordering Santenay in Chassagne-Montrachet, sits Clos Pitois, the 3ha monopole of Domaine Roger Belland. Created in 1421, this climat is planted to half Pinot Noir and half Chardonnay, and was purchased by Julie Belland’s grandfather on his wedding day in the 1950′s, when he then replanted Clos Pitois for the fifth time since its original planting by the monks of Abbaye de Morgeot, the remains of which sit just down the road.

Julie, a young and vivacious vintner with a funky flair, produced her first solo vintage at her father’s Domaine in 2009, and had just showcased her wines at the Salon des Jeunes Talents at Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne. We were so happy to have had much time at Julie’s side, as she’s such a joyful presence, and she makes incredible wines. After meeting Julie at the Domaine, we drove to Clos Pitois, where she explained how she works the vineyards. Read more

Apr 19

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Early Spring in Burgundy

A picnic downslope from Volnay

On our trip to Burgundy, I took over 500 photos, many of which will not make it into our blog posts about our vignerons. And so…I thought we might celebrate the visual delights of spring in the City with some eye candy from Burgundy…