c-hunt@tesla.UUCP (05/07/84)
I am very interested in other people's experiences with real French Burgundy, ie Bourgogne Rouge, from the northern regions of Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune (as opposed to the southern light wines of Chailonnais and Beaujolais). Wheras in Bordeaux the vineyards are typically under one winemaker's control, and hence the type and quality of the wines are consistent over the years, and you can buy confidently by reputation, in Burgundy, with few exceptions, the great vineyards are split up among many owners with claims ranging from a singlerow of vines to the entire growth. Burgundy is often not estate bottled, eitherand hence what you get when you buy "Volnay Premier Cru", you are likely buying a blend (created by the respective shipping firm) of various different wines bought from country growers. This is not necessarily bad, in that by blending the final wine is often better than any of the primary wines, being more balanced; but it also means you know nothing about a wine by reading the label: is it light and fruity; is it tannic and complex, should it last a lifetime, or is it best to drink for dinner tomorrow. The big problem with this is that the wines of the Cote d'Or, because the region is so tiny and exclusive, are VERY EXPENSIVE. I don't mind peeling out $15 for a '78 Ridge Vineyards York Creek Cabernet, on special occaisions of course, since I know what to expect from that vinyard and that winemaker; but I'm skiddish about paying the same price for Bouchard Gevry-Chambertin '79, when I know it's a blend and may not be anything like what I've had from Gevry Chambertin before. Good Burgundy is an unbelievable experience, but if you "experiment", it can be a costly disappointment. And Burgundy shippers are not famed for their ethics... This is where Usenet's net.wines has a real chance to profit us all. I propose that if anyone out there tries a burgundy, send a critique to the newgroup. List the appellation (eg Vosne-Romanee, Aloxe-Corton, etc.), the vineyard, if one is given (eg Beaune Greves "L'Enfant Jesus"), the vintage year, and very importantly, the shipper and/or "negociant" (eg Jadot, Latour, Faiveley, J. Drouhin, etc.). This last point is crucial. For example, you can get over seventy different bottlings of Clos Vougeot from a given year: it's only one vinyard (60 acres), but some of the wines are great glories, and others aren't worth the weight of the bottle's glass at the recycling center. Lastly, if you can describe attributes (ex. "big aroma, mouthfilling, long finish...") and price (and where you got it, maybe the American importer's name on the label), these can also be helpful. Anybody tried a good Chambolle-Musigny lately? =Charles Hunt= cornell!tesla!c-hunt tesla!c-hunt@cornell (ARPA... try to avoid)