Burgundy, in eastern France, is small but enjoys worldwide fame for its white and red wines. Most are produced using chardonnay for whites, and pinot noir for reds.
Aligote, pinot blanc, and gamay are also employed. Gamay is planted exclusively in Beaujolais. Blends of Passe-tout-grain contain mostly pinot noir and a small percentage of gamay.
Burugndy’s vineyards are relatively small and may be owned by several individuals. At last count Clos de Vougeot has 72 owners who shared 56 hectares of vineyards. Some may own as little as few rows of vines, and just sell the grapes to a negociant or winery. This situation is the result of Napoleonic succession and inheritance laws that have not been changed for centuries.
Burgundy marketing used to be the domain of shippers with capital who could afford to finance sales trips to potentially lucrative markets. The following are only a few that come to mind Bouchard Pere et Fils, Bouchard Aine et Fils, J. Drouhin, L. Latour, Remoissenet.
Now small producers and even small negociants can afford to travel and offer their wines to importers.
Having tasted Burgundy wines for many years, I can emphatically say that small producers make more focused and fine wines, and offer them at reasonable prices.
Pierre Andre, a relatively small Burgundy producer, owns several outstanding vineyards, i.e Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, Gevrey Chambertin, Vosne Romanee, Meursault, and Pulighy Montrachet distributing mainly to high-end restaurants in France and Belgium and discerning consumers.
Pierre Andre has been exporting to many countries in Europe and now has decided to market its wines in Ontario. All wines described below are private order, and may take up to seven weeks to arrive. The minimum purchase is one case.
Bourgogne Chardonnay, 2008 excellent fruit (apples and pears), medium-body with perceptible minerality typical for Burgundian chardonnay. Long aftertaste.
86/100
$ 19.95
Meursault, 2007 superbly crafted, from this small appellation. Ripe apple and pear aromas waft out of the glass. In the mouth, the wine reveals good minerality and layers of flavours with a fine acid backbone. Long aftertaste. An excellent wine for pan-fried fillets of flatfish, poached salmon, breast of chicken Marechal, and veal scallops.
92/100
$ 69.00
Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles, 2007 smells of peach/apricot toasted bread and mineral aromas greet the nose. Texturally, the wine is smooth, unctuous and creamy. Elegant and refined with a long satisfying aftertaste.
93/100
$ 132.00
Corton-Charlemagne, 2006 This is a memorable wine. Aromas of vanilla and ripe peach and apricot emanate from the glass.
Medium-bodied, with layers of flavours that upon up in the mouth. Smooth and balanced with long and pleasant aftertaste.
A wine to remember for a long time.
95/100
$ 172.00
Bourgogne Pinot Noir, 2008
Dark red, berry aromas dominate. In the mouth, liquorice and vanilla flavours are evident.
Light, clean with a lively acidity. Excellent value.
88/100
$ 15.95
Savigny-les Beaune Clos de Guettottes Monopole, 2008 this fully enclosed vineyard belongs to the company; the reason for the word “monopole” on the label.
Aromatically, the wine opens up with strawberry, vanilla and black currant aromas. Intense flavour, medium-body, layered and refined.
It is ready to enjoy but can be cellared for two or three years.
88/100
$ 45.00
Pommard Clos de la Commaraine Monopole, 2007 another monopole wine. Dark red and brilliant. An elegant, fruity, with pepper and nutmeg nuances. In the mouth, chocolate, vanilla and mocha flavours become apparent, due to 14 months in medium-toast barrel aging. Smooth, intense and concentrated.
Enjoyable now, but can be cellared for four to five years.
92/100
$ 85.00
Corton Les Renardes, 2007 ruby, brilliant. Aromas of cherry, red currant, pepper and liquorice stand out. In the mouth, chocolaty flavours underlined with spice become evident. Soft and elegant, refined and powerful, with an excellent finish.
93/100
$ 122.00
For orders please contact Bruce Maclean
Bruce.maclean@wineworldimproters.com
www.wineworldimporters.com
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Tags: Burgundy, PIERRE ANDRE, shippers
