White Burgundy Wine
Would you like to add a lovely white Burgundy wine to your wine collection?
White Burgundy wines are renowned for the intensity and complexity of their flavor. Chardonnay grapes come from around the world but are best known in the variety of Bourgogne.
These special wines cost a lot of money at auctions, which makes them an ideal addition to the wine cellar.
This blog will discover the best white Burgundy wines, where they are from, their characteristics, prices, and how to buy the best ones. As a result, you will get to know the best and easiest ways to purchase, store, and sell white Burgundy wines.
What is White Burgundy Wine?
French port city of Bourgogne is the place from which White Burgundy wine comes. And most white winemakers use Chardonnay grapes for making white burgundy wine. However, statistically fewer white Burgundy wines are made from other grape varieties like Aligoté, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc.
What Diffirantiest White Burgundy Wines from Other White Wines?
The main difference is that white Burgundies go through secondary, malolactic fermentation after the initial fermentation in oak barrels. White Burgundy wines are smoother than others. This is because the malic acid in the juice transforms to lactic acid,
A Brief History of White Burgundy Wine
The region of Burgundy has been producing wine since the second century AD. Wine production was supported mainly by Roman Catholic Church monks in the Middle Ages, who even built the region’s largest vineyard in 1336.
The Dukes of Burgundy banned the export of non-Burgundy wines to the European market in the 14th century. Burgundy wines’ popularity skyrocketed as a result of this.
When France’s transportation system and roads improved, the popularity of Burgundy wine grew even more. And also many of the famous Burgundy vineyards were purchased by bourgeoisie families in the 17th century.
Vineyard production volumes increased dramatically in the 1980s, but at the expense of the wine’s flavors. As a result, many winemakers have revamped their winemaking processes to produce more complex French wines. As a result, more affluent Burgundy whites with creamier textures and enhanced flavors were made.
Burgundy Wine Classifications and Characteristics
The Burgundy wine can be classified into Grand Cru, Premier cru, village, and Regional.
Premier Cru Burgundy
Premier Cru Burgundy wines account for about 12% of total Burgundian wine production. Also they are comparable to Grand Cru Burgundy wines, but they are not as well known. These wines can be aged for 3-5 years, with the best ones being able to age for even longer.
The village and the vineyard names are usually on Premier Cru wine labels. The label only lists the village name if the wine is made with grapes from several vineyards.
Grand Cru Burgundy
Grand Cru wines account for only 2% of all Burgundy winemaking. The best vineyards in Burgundy produce them in small quantities, as dictated by the appellations d’origine contrôlée (AOC). Grand Cru wines can last up to 15 years.
You can find the class “Grand Cru,” the appellation, and the vineyard on the wine label, but not the village.
Regional Wines
The remaining Burgundy wines (roughly 50%) contain grapes from a larger area or all over the region. The categories mentioned above only produce red and white wines, whereas regional wines include rosés, sparkling wines, and wines made from grapes other than Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
There are three types of wine appellations in the United States:
- AOC Bourgogne is a classic appellation for white and wines that are similar to those produced in villages. Also, you can consume them within three years of the date of manufacture.
- The term “subregional” refers to areas that are larger than a single village. These are collectives that do not have a village designation. Great examples include Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune and Mâcon-Villages. The subregional appellation is frequently referred to as an intermediary between the village appellation and the AOC Bourgogne.
- Wines made from specific grape varieties or styles, such as Aligoté and Crémant de Bourgogne.
Village Wines
Village wines make up 36% of all Burgundy wines. They are produced from various vineyards or a single unclassified vineyard near Burgundy’s 72 villages. The wine can age for two to four years.
The vineyard and the village where the wine is made are indicated on the village wine labels (if the wine was made by one vineyard only).
Best White Burgundy Wines
Leroy Domaine d’Auvenay Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2011
This magnificent wine has a mesmerizing pale yellow-gold color and a complex but delicate aroma bouquet. The wine has a strong stone fruit flavor of peach and nectarine, with a hint of citrus and an oaky aftertaste.
Average price of Leroy Domaine d’Auvenay Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2011: $9,735
Domaine Leflaive Montrachet Grand Cru 2013
One of the main and most important wine producers in the Côte de Beaune is Domaine Leflavie Grand Cru vineyard in Puligny-Montrachet. Dry and acidic, with citrus fruit aromas and caramel and oaky notes. This elegant oaked Grand Cru wine is dry and acidic.
The average price of Domaine Leflaive Montrachet Grand Cru 2013: $12,174
Domaine Ramonet Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2016
This is a full-bodied Chardonnay. It has complex, layered aromas and flavors that are intense, fresh, and long-lasting. Grand Cru has delicately balanced acidity, minerality, and a rich syrupy texture. Also, there are a slight lemon and tangerine aroma and butter, honey, and a hint of caramel on the palate.
The average price of Domaine Ramonet Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2016: $3,160
Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2009
If you store it properly, this rich wine has an elegant intensity of fruity flavors and can age well. And also, with a long finish of truffles and minerals, this Grand Cru has mild citrus and pineapple flavor with a hint of honey.
Average price of Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2009: $4,937
Domaine des Comtes Lafon, Montrachet Grand Cru 2017
This full-bodied wine has a creamy texture with a sharp and strong a long-lasting pure taste. This French red wine, fermented in oak barrels, has good aging potential and you can enjoy it at present or be savor it in the years to come. Also, every time you take a sip, you can taste a bouquet of flavors like a hint of lemon, toasted nuts, and mandarin oil.
Average price of Domaine des Comtes Lafon, Montrachet Grand Cru 2017: $2,156
White Burgundy Elegance
White Burgundy wines are among the most sophisticated and elegant wines available today. Not to mention, they have different flavors depending on the vintage year. Also, the flavor depends on the region where they come from.