Pinot Noir, France
Pinot Noir is a red grape that is one of the most challenging to grow in any part of the world. Due to its thin skin and tight bunches, it is susceptible to both mould and disease. However, when it is successful, it produces some of the most amazing wines in the world. Although its home is Burgundy, it has emerged as a popular variety in Australia. Representing only 1% of grapes crushed, it has built a high profile with a number of world-class, distinctly Australian wines being produced. The greatest examples coming from the cool climates of the Adelaide Hills, Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong and the Yarra Valley.
Pinot Noir performs well on the deepish limestone based subsoils that are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or. However, yields need to be kept in check. Pinot Noir's concentration and varietal characters disappear rapidly if yields are excessive. Some of the best and most expensive wines in the world are still found in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir also plays a key role in Champagne, being blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. In the US, Oregon and Washington state are producing outstanding wines. In New Zealand, great Pinot Noirs are crafted in Martinborough and in Central Otago, New Zealand's only true continental climate.
The thin skins of Pinot Noir mean the wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However, the best wines have grippy tannins, fragrance and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, but as it matures, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouthfeel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey nuances emerging.
Wine is being produced throughout France and has been done for over 2,500 years with certain Châteaux dating their history back to Roman times, around 6th Century BC. Ranking second in the world in per-capita consumption and first in total production quantity. More-so than the overall quantity of wine is the quantity of truly great wines coming out of France makes the nation the envy of wine-making nations worldwide.
Two concepts pivotal to the higher end French wines, in particular, are the idea of 'terroir' and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the way the geography, geology and climate find their way into the glass, telling a story of the origin of the wine. The AOC was set up in 1935 and has the primary goal of protecting the authenticity of the wines and the livelihoods of the producers. Appellation rules strictly define which varieties of grapes and winemaking practices are approved for classification in each of France's several hundred geographically defined appellations, which can cover entire regions, individual villages or in some cases, like in Burgundy even specific vineyards.
Classic wine regions in France include Champagne (home of Champagne), Burgundy (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot), Alsace (Aromatic varietals), Loire Valley (Chenin Blanc, Crémant) and the Rhône Valley (Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre)
The Bordeaux classification of 1855 is still in use, as is the Sauternes and Barsac Classification of the same year. Wines from certain regions can be bought En Primeur, which is when the wine is sold prior to it being bottled.
Pinot Noir performs well on the deepish limestone based subsoils that are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or. However, yields need to be kept in check. Pinot Noir's concentration and varietal characters disappear rapidly if yields are excessive. Some of the best and most expensive wines in the world are still found in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir also plays a key role in Champagne, being blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. In the US, Oregon and Washington state are producing outstanding wines. In New Zealand, great Pinot Noirs are crafted in Martinborough and in Central Otago, New Zealand's only true continental climate.
The thin skins of Pinot Noir mean the wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However, the best wines have grippy tannins, fragrance and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, but as it matures, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouthfeel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey nuances emerging.
Wine is being produced throughout France and has been done for over 2,500 years with certain Châteaux dating their history back to Roman times, around 6th Century BC. Ranking second in the world in per-capita consumption and first in total production quantity. More-so than the overall quantity of wine is the quantity of truly great wines coming out of France makes the nation the envy of wine-making nations worldwide.
Two concepts pivotal to the higher end French wines, in particular, are the idea of 'terroir' and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the way the geography, geology and climate find their way into the glass, telling a story of the origin of the wine. The AOC was set up in 1935 and has the primary goal of protecting the authenticity of the wines and the livelihoods of the producers. Appellation rules strictly define which varieties of grapes and winemaking practices are approved for classification in each of France's several hundred geographically defined appellations, which can cover entire regions, individual villages or in some cases, like in Burgundy even specific vineyards.
Classic wine regions in France include Champagne (home of Champagne), Burgundy (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot), Alsace (Aromatic varietals), Loire Valley (Chenin Blanc, Crémant) and the Rhône Valley (Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre)
The Bordeaux classification of 1855 is still in use, as is the Sauternes and Barsac Classification of the same year. Wines from certain regions can be bought En Primeur, which is when the wine is sold prior to it being bottled.
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Le Chat Noir is a range of modern French wines created by Vincent Charleux. Aromas of strawberries, blackberries and spiced plums, with a hint of dried roses. The palate is light-medium bodied, with bright red berries, a touch of savouriness, ... Learn MoreLe Chat Noir Pinot Noir 2018$17.00 Per itemOut of stock -
The nose displays raspberry and cherry aromas with a hint of fresh herbs. A light-medium bodied palate, with ripe fruit flavours of red currant, cherry and strawberry fruits. Some hints of baking spices and subtle oak in the background. To ... Learn MoreBertaine Et Fils Pinot Noir 2019$17.99 Per item -
The nose displays raspberry and cherry aromas with a hint of fresh herbs. A light-medium bodied palate, with ripe fruit flavours of red currant, cherry and strawberry fruits. Some hints of baking spices and subtle oak in the background. To ... Learn MoreBertaine Et Fils Pinot Noir 2018$17.99 Per item -
Both hailing from the same region – Burgundy – Catherine Delaunay and Pinot Noir were destined to get along! With its lovely balance between tautness and roundness, Les Jamelles Pinot Noir is more than appealing! Endowed with beautiful ruby red colour, Les ... Learn MoreLes Jammelles Pinot Noir 2018$21.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Les Vignobles Foncalieu named 'Cooperative Winery of the Year 2012' by the Revue du Vin de France - the biggest magazine in the French wine industry! A strong and aromatic nose of red fruits mixed with liquorice notes. Medium bodied, ... Learn More -
Les Vignobles Foncalieu named 'Cooperative Winery of the Year 2012' by the Revue du Vin de France - the biggest magazine in the French wine industry! A strong and aromatic nose of red fruits mixed with liquorice notes. Medium bodied, ... Learn MoreLe Versant 'Vin De Pays D'Oc' Pinot Noir 2018$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Very elegant organic Pinot Noir in the Burgundian style. Red fruits meet pretty rose aromas and hints of earthy spices. Full of freshness, elegance & finesse, this wine is long, balanced and exhibits real Pinot Noir typicity - red cherry fruit ... Learn MoreDomaine De La Metairie Pinot Noir 2017$26.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Very pale in colour with a mineral nose featuring aromas of flint, red fruit (blackcurrant, pomegranate), rose petal and grapefruit. Lively and fresh on the palate with a fruity finish and a refreshing hint of bitterness. Winemaking: Whole bunches fed ... Learn MoreOut of stock -
Nicholas Potel is a fabulous negociant winemaker that has made a name for producing Quality Burgundy at reasonable prices. Maison Roche de Bellene has created a range of “pleasure” wines: the Bellenos Collection. Due to their brand name, the wines ... Learn MoreRoche De Bellene 'Bellenos' Rouge 2018$29.99 Per item -
Château de Lachassagne is an exceptional place, located in the very south of Burgundy, with a unique view over the Saône Valley. It is a 62 hectares propriety, totally surrounded by small walls called ’"Clos". A clean, pure expression ... Learn More -
Château de Lachassagne is an exceptional place, located in the very south of Burgundy, with a unique view over the Saône Valley. It is a 62 hectares propriety, totally surrounded by small walls called ’"Clos". A clean, pure expression ... Learn More -
Subtle, harmonious, supple—Burgundy from Domaine Anne Gros is intimately tied with the elegant and poised character of wines from Vosne-Romanée. Expressive from the get go. It is Pinot personified. The nose was light to medium with medium blueberry ... Learn MoreAnne Gros Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2018$55.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Brothers David and Nicolas Rossignol run this 100% Organic and Biodynamically farmed Domaine located in the very heart of Gevrey Chambertin. Very early to the Sustainable farming movement, all the family's vineyards, located in some of the most impressive vineyards in ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Bourgogne Rouge 2018$55.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Brothers David and Nicolas Rossignol run this 100% Organic and Biodynamically farmed Domaine located in the very heart of Gevrey Chambertin. Very early to the Sustainable farming movement, all the family's vineyards, located in some of the most impressive vineyards in ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Bourgogne Rouge 2017$60.01 Per itemOut of stock -
From an exceedingly satisfying vintage, a pinot that offers immediate contentment upon tasting. Aligning a multitude of flowers, early season plums and pomegrante with a fluid texture on the palate. Acidity is nonaggressive, owing to the vintages voluptuousness. An ideal ... Learn MoreDomaine Chevrot et Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2017$64.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Moillard is a historic Burgundian négociant house located in the Côte d'Or. Savigny-lès-Beaune is a large village in the Côte de Beaune sub-region of Burgundy, nestled between the hillsides of a sub-valley in the Côte ... Learn MoreMoillard Grivot Savigny Les Beaune 2016$68.99 Per itemOut of stock -
"The disarmingly modest Thierry Glantenay is emerging as one of the Côte de Beaune's most exciting producers of red wine." -William Kelley, The Wine Advocate Perhaps the Glantenays are not well known because not much was bottled and sold ... Learn MoreThierry Glantenay Bourgogne Rouge 2017$69.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The wines from David Moreau are incredibly stylish and fine with glowing colour and gorgeous flavours. Aromas of cherry, strawberry and raspberry with some hints of floral, herb and spice. The palate shows excellent juiciness, but is also elegant. It ... Learn MoreDavid Moreau Cote De Beaune Village Pinot Noir 2017$69.99 Per itemOut of stock -
There has been a sorting table at the family winery since 2008, after which the grapes are destemmed but not crushed. The grapes are given a short cool maceration, then fermented with more pumping over than punching down, with the juice ... Learn MoreDomaine Af Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes De Nuits 2016$69.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Our mums do so much for us and Mother’s Day is the one day each year that's all about them. Show her how much she’s appreciated with this Rest & Relaxation Pampering Gift Pack. The pack includes ... Learn More
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Located in the plain that faces the famous Clos Marey-Monge, our plot “Les Lormes”, with complex Pommard soils are a great match to the region’s native red grape. Across the Côte de Beaune, clay-rich soils are the perfect ... Learn MoreChateau de Pommard Bourgogne Rouge 2018$75.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Brothers David and Nicolas Rossignol run this 100% Organic and Biodynamically farmed Domaine located in the very heart of Gevrey Chambertin. Very early to the Sustainable farming movement, all the family's vineyards, located in some of the most impressive vineyards in ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Savigny-Les-Beaune 2018$75.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Since vintage 2010, this cuvée is an assemblage of different terroirs located in the Côte d'Or - 1/3 comes from the vineyards of an estate in the Burgundy appellation located in the commune of Nuits-Saint Georges on argilo-silty soil - 2/3 ... Learn MoreThibault Liger-Belair Bourgogne Les Grands Chaillots 2017$75.00 Per itemOut of stock -
There has been a sorting table at the family winery since 2008, after which the grapes are destemmed but not crushed. The grapes are given a short cool maceration, then fermented with more pumping over than punching down, with the juice ... Learn MoreDomaine Af Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes De Nuits 2019$79.99 Per item -
Brothers David and Nicolas Rossignol run this 100% Organic and Biodynamically farmed Domaine located in the very heart of Gevrey Chambertin. Very early to the Sustainable farming movement, all the family's vineyards, located in some of the most impressive vineyards in ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Savigny-Les-Beaune Rouge 2017$80.00 Per itemOut of stock -
There has been a sorting table at the family winery since 2008, after which the grapes are destemmed but not crushed. The grapes are given a short cool maceration, then fermented with more pumping over than punching down, with the juice ... Learn MoreDomaine Af Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes De Nuits 2018$83.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Domaine Rougeot has a long history of making superb white wines out of the famed village of Meursault. The Rougeot-Dupin label is a venture that started in 1990 in order to diversify the family range. The wines are made from purchased ... Learn MoreRougeot-Dupin Maranges 1er Cru 'Clos Roussots' 2018$98.00 Per item
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Jean-Manuel Jacquinot obtained a degree in Oenology at the esteemed University of Reims. After this he became trainee oenologist at the world famous house of Veuve Clicquot. Today, Jean-Manuel has over 20 years of experience in making Champagne, is a Member ... Learn MoreChampagne Jacquinot 'Cuvee' Blanc De Noirs Nv$99.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Mid-slope and with a lot limestone in the soil, Lavières comes from the word "lave" which was the term used in the past to describe the flat limestone slabs used to cover local roofs. Such stones dominate the sub-soil ... Learn MoreChandon De Briailles Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru 'Les Lavieres' 2014$105.00 Per itemOut of stock -
One of the best value Premier Sites in Burgundy ... Learn MoreChandon De Briailles Pernard-Les Vergelesses 1er Cru 2014$109.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes comes from vines averaging 60 years of age, within nine parcels that are representative of the appellation. It has a lovely bouquet of undergrowth scents percolating through red berry fruit that is slightly darker than the Bourgogne ... Learn More -
Want to try Burgundy but can't stomach the price tag- we have made this special 3-pack which we think is the perfect mix of value and quality of wine from one of the world's most revered regions! Try these ... Learn More
Affordable Burgundy Mixed 3 Pack$114.99Out of stock -
A very high-altitude, rocky site, Les Montrevenots is at the top of the hill on the Pommard boundary above Clos des Mouches. It’s a south-facing slope, which to some extent mitigates the vineyard’s altitude. Dancer’s parcel was ... Learn MoreVincent Dancer Beaune 1er Cru Les Montrevenots 2019$120.00 Per itemOut of stock
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Driving south on the D974, Les Perrières sits under the famed Clos des Epeneaux and is the first Pommard vineyard on your right after you leave the commune of Beaune. Dancer farms almost one hectare of vines, planted in 2012. ... Learn MoreVincent Dancer Pommard Les Perrières 2019$120.00 Per itemOut of stock
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Brothers David and Nicolas Rossignol run this 100% Organic and Biodynamically farmed Domaine located in the very heart of Gevrey Chambertin. Very early to the Sustainable farming movement, all the family's vineyards, located in some of the most impressive vineyards in ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2017$120.00 Per itemOut of stock -
This certified biodynamic domaine seems to have followed an admirable course in 2018. Bottled. Fresher sample than at Berry Bros. Pale garnet. Loose and relaxed and rather a relief after a whole load of pumped-up sweet wines. Like an old pair ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Beaune 1er Cru "Teurons" 2018$130.00 Per item -
Domaine Henri Richard is located in Gevrey on the D974 a little south of Domaine Trapet. It is a fourth generation family estate owned by Margeret and Jean Bastien and their children Sarah and Richard – with Sarah Bastien and Guillaume ... Learn MoreDomaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin "Aux Corvees" 2016$132.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Domaine Henri Richard is located in Gevrey on the D974 a little south of Domaine Trapet. It is a fourth generation family estate owned by Margeret and Jean Bastien and their children Sarah and Richard – with Sarah Bastien and Guillaume ... Learn MoreDomaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin "Aux Corvees" 2012$132.00 Per itemOut of stock -
All of Coessens's champagnes come from the lieu-dit of Largillier. All are made of pinot noir, exclusively from vines over 30 years old, and all come from a single year, with no reserve wine included in the blend. These are rich, ... Learn MoreChampagne Coessens Largillier Blanc de Noirs NV$139.00 Per itemOut of stock -
The Confuron name is very famous in Burgundy, being deeply rooted is the extraordinary village of Vosne-Romanée being located at Rue de La Tâche, however this is a younger branch of the family. The style is a little ... Learn MoreConfuron-Gindre Nuits St Georges 2018$139.00 Per itemOut of stock
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