Page Two of Food Friendly Wines: Pinot Noir

Quality categories are:

1) Regional Appellation: made from grapes grown anywhere in Burgundy

2) District-Specific Appellation: made from grapes grown in a single district

3) Village or Communal Appellation: made from grapes grown in a particular village

4) Vineyard-Specific Appellation: made from grapes grown in a single vineyard

a) Premier Cru (first growth, superior wines) Vineyards: name of the village and vineyard on the label

b) Grand Cru (great growth, la crème de la crème) Vineyards: only the name of the vineyard on the label

Regions: The Côte d’Or, or Golden Slope, is a 30-mile-long narrow strip of land (less than 1.5 miles at its widest) that starts near Dijon and ends at Santenay, just north of Beaujolais. It’s made up of the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune.

The Côte de Nuits is called the "Champs-Elysées de la Bourgogne.” It’s the home of all but one of the red grand crus, the most prestigious, powerful, complex wines. Among the appellations are Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges.

Wines from the Côte de Beaune are softer, less powerful, but also complex. They include Pommard, Volnay, Savigny-les-Beaune and Auxey-Duresses, among others.

The Côte Chalonnaise is the home of more affordable, good-value red wines, from appellations including Mercurey, Rully and Givry.

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Good Food Partners: Mushrooms; lentils; salads; gratins; grilled vegetables; tomato-based sauces; salmon, tuna, swordfish and other fish, depending on the preparation; sushi; roast chicken; coq au vin; turkey; duck; game birds; sweetbreads; rabbit; grilled meats; sausage; lamb; pork; bacon; veal; beef; boeuf bourguignonne; pot roast; steak; game; mild, creamy, hard, goat or blue cheese; fruity Pinots with Asian cuisine

Recommended Wines

There are two types of producers in Burgundy. Domaines are small operations that own their own vineyards, grow their own grapes and bottle their own wines. They’re known for dynamic wines with great character. Négociants buy grapes, juice or wines from growers or domaines, then sell the resulting wines using their own names. Some — usually those who also own their own vineyards — are as highly esteemed as domaine estates.

When choosing Pinot Noirs from Burgundy, it’s especially important to seek out reliable producers and the best possible vintages. 2005 was an exceptional vintage, and 2006 is considered very good, with many wines ready to drink.

2005 Louis Jadot Bourgogne
Jadot is an outstanding grower- négociant recognized for good value. Its exceptionally talented winemaker, Jacques Lardière, has been with the winery for more than 30 years.
Aromas and Flavors: Berry, cherry, spice

2006 Joseph Drouhin Laforet Bourgogne
Founded in 1880, Drouhin is a long-established name in Burgundy and one of the biggest and best grower- négociants. Look here for good wine and good value.
Aromas and Flavors: cherry, strawberry, raspberry, red and black currants

2005 Nicolas Potel Cuvée Gérard Potel Bourgogne
Négociant Nicolas Potel, a proponent of organic and biodynamic viticulture, has been dubbed a superstar by eminent British wine writer Clive Coates. This wine is named after his father, who was also a Burgundian winemaker.
Aromas and Flavors: cherry, raspberry, strawberry

2005 Bouchard Pere & Fils Beaune de Château Rouge Premier Cru
In The Wines of France, Jacqueline Friedrich calls grower-négociant Bouchard Pere & Fils “one of the most dynamic, reliable, and quality-driven houses in the region.” This particular cuvée was first assembled 101 years ago.
Aromas and Flavors: cherry, red berries

Page Three of Food Friendly Wines: Pinot Noir>>