30/04/2021
Burgundy wine tastings
Burgundy wine tastings are not equal to others elsewhere. Except for the big negociants in Beaune there are no visitor centers, hardly any tasting rooms. Winemakers will invite you in the cellars of the winery or even in their home. It is a small scale wine industry. To experience Burgundy at full , please plan your wine tasting carefully.
So first of all, be sure you’ll get in contact with the wine maker prior to the proposed date. The Burgundy wine industry is a small family scale operation so without an appointment in advance people might be not at home or might not have any time for you. However if you have secured an appointment, the tasting can be an unforgettable event, taking hours.
The reason is that Burgundy-producers normally make a wide range of wines from different appellations. A small producer in Meursault might produce 10 to 15 different wines, with some denominations not more than 1 or 2 barrels. So tasting all of the latest range for sale might take up to an hour (at least). But if you win his or her hearth, you also will go down into the cellar to taste the latest vintage straight from the cask. This is normally more selective but will take at least half an hour. On top of that, if you’re really lucky, some older bottles will come up on the table. With some discipline you can survive, but it will take half of your morning or afternoon. In case you bring the children with you, be sure that you have a whole set of toys in your bag. Oh yes, if you want to buy some bottles you probably have to come back the day after.
