logo
hero-image

The 8 Best Burgundy Wines (And 4 More of My Favourites)

Culture & Lifestyle | France | By Olivier Maillard

Best Burgundy WinesBurgundy is synonymous with wine. Some of the best wines in the world come from my home in this quaint region—as do some of the most expensive. But instead of just telling you what will set you back $15,000 (or more!), it is my idea to tell you what I like, what I can afford and even more importantly, enlighten you to some of the best wines I have ever tasted! Santé!


Whites

Using almost exclusively the chardonnay grape, there are some excellent white wines in Burgundy. Here are my favourites:

Châteaux des Quarts – Pouilly Fuissé 2013 – Corinne & Olivier Merlin avec Dominique LafonChâteaux des Quarts – Pouilly Fuissé

I love white wines from the Mâconnais region with spouses Corinne and Olivier Merlin plus Dominique Lafon acting as icons in the trade. Now that the trio is making wine together, I’m glad I don’t have to choose between them; their combined efforts are a delight.

Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières 2013 – Domaine François Carillon

This is an extremely friendly wine made by an extremely friendly person! It is best aged for a little more than two years.

Reds

Using the pinot noir grape, here is a list of truly excellent red wines to be found in Burgundy:

Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champeaux 2003 – Domaine Denis Mortet

Hands down, this is the best wine I’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking in my life! This wine is best offered and shared with very good friends—they’ll owe you one!

Champeaux-inset

Monthélie 1er Cru Les Champs Fulliot 2012 – Domaine Guy Dubuet & Fils

The vineyard is now run by their son, David. This is to me what Burgundy is all about: simplicity, generosity, discretion, friendship… You have all of this in David’s bottles.

Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru 2009 – Domaine Tollot Beault

Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru 2009 – Domaine Tollot Beault

It’s difficult to find the right word for this wine. I’ll start by saying it’s beautiful, sensitive, wild and delicate. Perhaps you will find some more words to add to the list when you enjoy your first sip?

Chambertin 2005 – Domaine Armand Rousseau

This is the second-best wine I’ve drunk in my life… And believe it or not, I had some more than once and even own some myself! It isn’t cheap, but it is truly delicious.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir “Avalon” 2011 – Domaine Pascal Marchand

This wine is made by an exceptional and legendary character of Burgundy, Pascal Marchand. This Pinot Noir is one of his simplest wines, but there is such a pleasure at each sip!

Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux “Monopole” 2008 – Domaine du Comte Armand

This wine is the jewel in Benjamin Leroux’s crown! We wish the best to Paul Zinetti, the new “régisseur” of this prestigious vineyard.


Wine From My Friends

I am lucky enough to have friends who make wine here in Burgundy. I not only love them for who they are but also for the wines they make. Here is my selection:

Gevrey Chambertin 2012 – Jane Eyre

Moving from her native Australia to try her hand at a wine harvest, Jane studied winemaking for 12 years. Her Gevrey Chambertin is elegant, delicious and utterly promising. Jane shares a winery with Dominique Lafon, so she is in good company. You can read all about Jane here.

Meursault 2011 – David Butterfield

Butterfield-Meursault

Created by my good friend (and George and Martha Butterfield’s son) David, this elegant and pure white wine is perfectly paired with a Poulet de Bresse for Sunday lunch.

Bonnes Mares Grand Cru 2010 – Domaine Newman

Chris Newman may be my friend, but he is also a highly esteemed winemaker. This wine is almost impossible to come by and is best drunk with Chris—tell him I sent you!

Domaine Maison Fatien Père & Fils – Volnay 2010 (Rouge)

Charly pours all of his passion and energy into his wines, making for a truly charming find!

Photography credit: Les Champeaux image via Pandolfini