Burgundy is a difficult region to understand. The classification of Burgundy is sometimes quite confusing. If we compare the classification system of Bordeaux and Burgundy, there are about 60 names protected under the AC system in Bordeaux where as in Burgundy there are 10 times more.
The wine dinner was a 5 course western style dinner served with 6 red wines from Domaine Jean Grivot of Burgundy. Monsieur Etienne Grivot is the 5th generation of Grivots, and he has been producing wines from 5 to 50 year old vines across the 15ha domaine which covers 22 appellations in Burgundy.
Monsieur Grivot explained the wines that he chose for the evening should give us a good glimpse of the different style of Burgundy wines. There was a variation of vintages and villages.
2005 Vosne-Romanee
2002 Vosne-Romanee, 1er Cru “Les Rouges”
2002 Nuit St-Georges, 1er Cru “Aux Boudot”
2000 Clos de Vougeot, Grand Cru
1999 Echezeaux, Grand Cru
1997 Richbourg, Grand Cru
Red Burgundy is made from 100% Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is considered to be one of the most delicate grapes to grow. Monsieur Grivot said the vines need tender love and care to make an elegant wine, just like woman!
Of the 6 wines I tasted, my favorite was 2002 Nuit St-Georges 1er Cru. It was medium body with soft tannin. It showed cherry, floral, game and mint. It was a very elegant and well balanced wine.
The one thing I remembered the most about the wines was that they all showed very unique aroma on the nose. It is fascinating that one region could produce such a wide range of wine style with one grape variety – Pinot Noir!
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