A step into White Burgundy

Burgundy, the word carries a lot of connotations. At first we visualize ancient wine cellars, perhaps a stooped old Frenchman, blowing the dust of an old bottle and gently opening the wine. To most of us Burgundy means expensive wine. This is accurate to some degree. Many Burgundies will set you back several hundred a bottle. But not all Burgundies will break the bank.

This week we will talk about white Burgundies. As you know, white Burgundies are made from the Chardonnay grape. Let’s start with wine labeled Bourgogne Blanc. This will be you basic, entry level white Burgundy. You can expect a crisp, clean wine. Most of them just have a kiss of oak. Some of your better producers can make a wine with richness and complexity. You can get many of these wines for $15-$30. Try the Bouchard or Remoissenet 2006.

We all know the famous white appellations such as Puligny-Montrechet and Corton Charlemagne. But there are other appellations you should try, if you are not a millionaire. Macon-Villages, produces Chardonnays with bright fruit character. These wines are delicious on hot August evening. Look for the Perrusset 2005. This is a really enjoyable wine. Wines from the Macon can be found in the $15-$20 range.
Wines labeled as Saint Veran, can come from seven different communes. The wines exhibit some of the mineral quality you expect in wines that will cost you much more. The buttery oak flavors are a little more pronounced in the Saint Veran wines as compared to Macon and your basic Bourgogne Blanc. Some think of the wines as being fatter the Macon. St Veran should be in the $20 to $30 range.

My advice is start with some of these wines before you step up to the big boys.