Bourgogne wine class

There was a seminar of Burgundy wine.
Burgundy is, of course, one of the most famous wine regions in the world.
It seems like everything about Burgundy wine had already been told, but this seminar was about a side of Burgundy yet to be discovered.
This event was held at The Barrel Room in San Francisco.

Burgundy is AC in eastern France, with 2000 years of wine making history.
Its climate is continental with moderating effect from west and south.
Many of the best vineyards are located at mid slope which has good drainage and nutrition from top soils.
Majority of grapes grown here are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Wine makers in Burgundy produce rich, complex Chardonnay with techniques such as barrel fermentation, barrel ageing and/or MLF while wines from Chablis are drier, lean Chardonnay with high acid.

Domaine Thevenot-le-Brun & Fils Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes-de Nuits 2014
80% Pinot Blanc, 20% Chardonnay
Vineyards in Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes-de Nuits (regional appellation) are located at a higher altitude.
Fresh fruit of apple, pear and mango. Pink flower and citrus.
Chardonnay adds finesse. Very drinkable.

Domaine Olivier Fichet Macon-Burgy Les Vercheres 2013
100% Chardonnay from small village of Ige.
Pronounced aromas of flower, tropical fruit and stone fruit.
Subtle bitterness of grapefruit.

Domaine Belleville Rully Premier Cru Les Cloux 2014
100% Chardonnay
Incense, dry rocks, and cosmetic aromas.
The savoriness of wine goes good with food.
Restrained wine. I likes this.

Domaine Rene Bouvier Marsannay Le Clos 2014
100% Chardonnay from old vines.
Lots of minerality.
Acid gives freshness but not too sharp.

Burgundy is a home to renown Grand Cru vineyards which produce great Pinot Noir.
Each vineyard has so much depth in its history, philosophy, terroir, vintages...
Unfortunately I don't have chance to try these big names (someday!) but this day's selection showed that lesser known vineyards could also create wines that make you a Burgundy lover.

Domaine de l'Abbaye du Petit Quincy Bourgogne Epineuil Cuvee Juliette 2014
Aromas of pink flower and cherry.

Domaine Olivier Morin Bourgogne Chitry
Chitry is AC in Auxerrois (south-west of Chablis).
Decayed flower, fruit and green tea. Very smooth texture.

Domaine Laleure-Piot Pernand-Vergelesses Clos de Bully 2014
Complex aromas of sour cherry, wool, moss and Hojicha (roasted Japanese green tea).
Rich texture. Lovely wine.

Domaine Chevalier Pere & Fils Ladoix 2014
Ripe fruit and savoriness.
It wasn't that impressive at first, but became vibrant with food.

Many of the wines we tasted this day were relatively affordable and lesser known, but they express the terroir of Burgundy yet offer versatility.
Vineyards have been passed down in families and their philosophy is that they don't inherit the land. They are borrowing it from children.

When it comes to Burgundy, I tend to look into depth, and it's amazing how deep I can dig like there is no ending, but if I look around, there are still other aspects to be discovered in Burgundy.

By the way, Burgundy has a web site which offers e-learning course from history to grapes of Burgundy and you can test your knowledge with quiz.
Highly recommended!