Burgundy, known as Bourgogne in France, is one of the world’s most incredible wine regions. Due to an intense history dedicated to winemaking, there are stories to be told, lifetimes to preserve. Let this video, from Bourgogne Wines provide an introduction: Vineyards in Burgundy have been cultivated for over 2,000 years, first by the…
Tag: Burgundy
Drink or Hold: Burgundy, Where Parker Got it Wrong
Today we feature a guest post from Gerald (Jerry Clark). Jerry has written for L’occasion in the past, recently with his thoughts on wine as an investment. This month he shares perspective on Burgundy wines, a great fit for our readers between a two-part series on Burgundy. Jerry has a wide scope of experience with…
Thomas Jefferson in Burgundy
There is a phrase in the French language – déformation professionnnelle – which describes one’s tendency to perceive every situation through the biased eyes of one’s profession. But consider the constant shape-shifting of reality for a man with armloads of professions: inventor, farmer, author, diplomat, ambassador, drafter, architect, teacher, United States President, archaeologist and onward. Jefferson, Wine Lover Thomas…
Wine Tasting Anyone?
Originally posted on Cobblestone and Vineyards:
It’s safe to say, I’m no expert on wine by any means. In fact, I hesitate to open my mouth and say even one word on the subject. But years ago, knowing nothing about wine, we chose Burgundy for our first trip to France based on a pastoral scene…
Vouvray during WW2: A Wine Worth Fighting For
The wines of Vouvray, in France’s Loire Valley, represent the ancient treasure that is French wine, a wine worth fighting for during WW2. Hidden Bottles, Wine Parties in Prison and a Historical Winemaker: Gaston Huet At the mention of Vouvray, I’m reminded of a gentleman that passed way about 15 years ago. That he lived into…
A Frost in Burgundy: Am I Out There With the Heaters?
This month I met with a local winemaker, Susan Danenburger of Danenburger Family Vineyards. She told me a story of a cold spring season that drew her (and everyone she knows) into the vines with fires, heaters, blankets, warm water…anything that would protect the baby vines from frost damage. This technique is practical, time honored…
A Flâneur Through Beaune
I “met” Cindy from Grape Experiences virtually, though in fact we were in the same event at Public Chicago when Vins de Provence took over The Pump Room in February for their 2015 tasting. We didn’t realize it, until later, that we’d likely brushed past one another with a glass of rosé in hand. Always one for…
A Taste of Burgundy with a Grand Cru Finish
Last night my husband and I had the opportunity to attend an outstanding Burgundy tasting offered by my local shop, The Corkscrew. Sean O’Hare from Fine Vines in Chicago was our guest for the evening as he presented an impressive lineup of wines paired with courses prepared by Chef Coffey at American Harvest Eatery. A…
Risotto with Forest Mushrooms & Shallots: Meatless Match for Aegerter Les Enfants Terribles
The January leg of the Wineophiles tour takes us to Bourgogne, a place English-speakers refer to as Burgundy. I’ve followed the Wineophiles, a group of writing, drinking and cooking bon vivants, for a few months, but this is my first hat-in-the-ring. I find Bourgogne particularly enticing, arousing, sensual. Nothing, not one drop, short of H O T…
Why I Drink Wine
“Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played outdoors by somebody I do not know.” ~John Keats This quote is lyrical, words on paper that put a thumb on what we feel. This is why wine is a lover… the finer things, so simple they’ve been distilled. My blog is…
A Bottle of Burgundy
That’s true love! {#12daysofwine} Have you visited Burgundy? I’d love to hear about what you drank & ate. For my impressions & experiences in Burgundy visit: A Peek Inside: The Wines of Hospice de Beaune A Visit to Beaune in the Heart of Burgundy The Cellars of Maison Joseph Drouhin
A Peek Inside {The Wines of Hospice de Beaune}
This weekend wine professionals and wine lovers will celebrate an ancient and honored tradition in Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy wine country. Tastings, dinners, festivities and inductions surround the monumental wine auction. This event is impressively called “The Three Glorious Days of Burgundy”. According to Beaune Tourism: The highlight of the weekend, it’s organised by…
A Visit to Beaune in the Heart of Burgundy
I visited Beaune, in Burgundy (or Bourgogne) in mid-April and enjoyed the most outstanding weather, all blue skies and flower blossoms. It was under these circumstances that I met Jacquie Morrison, Manager of Private Tours, Tastings and Events at Maison Joseph Drouhin. I had an appointment with her to take a look inside the cellars and…
The Cellars at Masion Joseph Drouhin
A visit to Beaune should be circled in red on the calendar. It’s nothing less than a treat. “Each stone of our House tells the past and consolidates our future.” ~ Maison Joseph Drouhin In the late 1880’s a young wine merchant named Joseph Drouhin from Chablis travelled deeper into Bourgogne to the town…
Champagne and Burgundy Vineyards Granted UNESCO World Heritage Status
Hillsides of the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune, just south of Beaune, have been recognized by UNESCO as “an outstanding example of grape cultivation and wine production developed since the High Middle Ages.” The history of wine is a compelling topic, and Bourgogne most certainly drips with it. When touring the cellars at…
