Friday, June 26, 2015

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Picture: At the Hospices de Beaune in Beaune, Bourgogne

The Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours in 2015 was organized for a special group, the Wine Brotherhood of Hochheim, Germany (Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim). The tour took place from March 31 to June 6, 2015.

The 2015 Bourgogne Tour, for the Wine Brotherhood of Hochheim, began and ended in Hochheim, which is close to Frankfurt: From Frankfurt – via the Champagne, Tonnerre and Chablis – we headed to the southern tip of the Mâconnais and from there worked our way up to the north through the famous vineyards of the Bourgogne - Côte Chalonnaise, Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte de Nuits – back to Frankfurt.

(As an aside, next year, in 2016, the Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours will begin in Lyon and end in Paris. Presumably, we will all fly into Paris and take the TGV to Lyon, the culinary capital of the world. We will move northwards from there (by coach), back to Paris: Lyon, Beaujolais, Mâconnais, Côte Chalonnaise, Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte de Nuits, Chablis, Champagne, Paris.

Pictures: Annette and Christian Schiller at the Restaurant of Paul Bocuse, Auberge du Pont de Collonges, in Lyon

While in 2015, we just passed through the Champagne Region, with lunch and one tasting there, in 2016, we will spend considerably more time in the Champagne Region.)

The following provides you with photo impressions from the 2015 Bourgogne Tour, with a few photos from previous trips.

The Bourgogne

The Bourgogne is one of the most famous wine regions in the world. Most of the wine produced here is Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. Chablis and Beaujolais are formally part of Burgundy wine region, but wines from those subregions are usually referred to by their own names.

Some way south of Chablis is the Côte d'Or, where Burgundy's most famous wines originate. All Grand Cru vineyards of Burgundy (except for Chablis Grand Cru) are here. The Côte d'Or is split into two parts: the Côte de Nuits in the north and the Côte de Beaune in the south. The wine-growing area is just 40 kilometres long, and in most places less than 2 kilometres wide; the area is made up of tiny villages. Further south is the Côte Chalonnaise, where a mix of mostly red and white wines are produced. Below the Côte Chalonnaise is the Mâconnais region, known for producing easy-drinking and more affordable white wine. Further south again is the Beaujolais region. The Bourgogne (including Chablis but excluding Beaujolais) covers a total of 28,000 hectares. Côte d'Or covers 8,000 hectares.

Picture: Tour Leader Annette Schiller in Gevry-Chambertin, Bourgogne

Monks and monasteries of the Roman Catholic Church had an important influence on the history of Burgundy wine. As the power of the church decreased, many vineyards which had been in the church's hands, were sold to the bourgeoisie from the 17th century. The Napoleonic inheritance laws resulted in the continued subdivision of the most precious vineyard holdings, so that some growers hold only a row or two of vines. Clos Vougeot, for example, which was a single 125 acre run by the monks, today is parceled into plots owned by nearly 80 different owners. This led to the emergence of négociants who aggregate the produce of many growers to produce a single wine. Négociants play a vital role in the Bourgogne, ranging from simple labelling and distribution, to carrying out the entire wine-making process. Négociants may supply wines at all quality levels, including Grand Cru.

Bourgogne Classification

Burgundy is the most terroir-oriented region in France. Immense attention is paid to the area of origin, as opposed to Bordeaux, where classifications are producer-driven and awarded to individual chateaux. A specific vineyard or region will bear a given classification, regardless of the wine's producer. The main levels in the Burgundy classifications, in descending order of quality, are:

Grand Cru wines are produced from a small number of vineyards in the Côte d'Or and make up 2% of the production at 35 hectoliters per hectare. The origins of Burgundy's Grand crus can be found in the work of the Cistercians who, among their vast land holdings, were able to delineate and isolate plots of land that produced wine of distinct character. There are 33 Grand Cru vineyards in the Bourgogne.

Premier Cru wines are produced from specific vineyards that are considered to be of high, but slightly lower quality; they make up 12% of production at 45 hectoliters/hectare.

Village appellation wines are produced from vineyard sites within the boundaries of one of 42 villages. Village wines make up 36% of production at 50 hectoliters/hectare.

Regional appellation wines are wines which are allowed to be produced over the entire region, or over an area significantly larger than that of an individual village. These appellations can be divided into three groups:

AOC Bourgogne, the standard appellation for wines made anywhere throughout the region; these wines may be produced at 55 hectoliters/hectare.

Subregional appellations cover a part of Burgundy larger than a village. Examples are Hautes-Côtes de Beaune and Mâcon-Villages.

Wines of specific styles or other grape varieties include white Bourgogne Aligoté (which is primarily made with the Aligoté grape), red Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains (which can contain up to two thirds Gamay) and sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne.

The Bourgogne Tour 2015

Day 1 - Sunday, March 31: From Hochheim (Germany) to Tonnerre (Chablis) via the Champagne Region

12:00 Restaurant Les Berges de l’Ource in Essoyes, Champagne

Pictures: Lunch in Essoyes - the City of Renoir in the Southern Part of the Champagne

14:15 Champagne Josselin in Gyé-sur-Seine, Champagne

Pictures: At Champagne Josselin in Gyé-sur-Seine with Veronique and Jean Pierre Josselin as well as Sharona Tsubota

18:00 Hotel Auberge de Bourgogne in Tonnerre

19:00 Dinner: Auberge de Bourgogne

Picture: Tonnerre Wines

Day 2 - Monday June 2, Chablis

Pictures: Chablis

10:00 Domaine Séguinot-Bordet in Maligny, Chablis

Pictures: With Owner and Winemaker Jean-François Bordet at Domaine Séguinot-Bordet

See also:
Pure Chablis – A tête-à-tête Dinner in Washington DC at Marcel’s with Chablis Wine Board President and Winemaker Jean-François Bordet, Domaine Séguinot-Bordet, USA/France

12:30 Lunch at Domaine Brocard in Chablis, followed by  a Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting

Pictures: At Domaine Brocard in Chablis with Odile Van Der Moere, Responsable de Cave

See also:
Chef Bart M. Vandaele Celebrated the 2 Year Anniversary of his B Too Restaurant with the Wines of Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard from Chablis, USA/France 

18:30 Hotel Hostellerie - Château de la Barge in Crêches-sur- Saône, Mâconnais

Picture: Hotel Hostellerie - Château de la Barge in Crêches-sur- Saône, Mâconnais

20:00 Dinner: Restaurant Hostellerie - Château de la Barge in Crêches-sur- Saône, Mâconnais

Pictures: Dinner: Restaurant Hostellerie - Château de la Barge in Crêches-sur- Saône, Mâconnais

See also:
Dinner at Restaurant Chateau de la Barge in Creches sur Saone in Burgundy, France

Day 3 - Tuesday, June 2: Mâconnais and Côte Chalonnaise

Picture: Fuissé

09:30 Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully-Fuissé, Mâconnais

Pictures: At Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully-Fuissé, Mâconnais with Cyril Laumain, Chef de Cave

See also:
In the Most Prestigious AOC in the Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé, France

12:15 Restaurant Hostellerie d’Héloïse in Cluny

Pictures: At Restaurant Hostellerie d’Héloïse in Cluny with Owners Nathalie and Chef Patrick Dutarte

14:15 Cluny Abbey

Pictures: Cluny Abbey

17:00 Domaine Theulot Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise

Pictures: At Domaine Theulot Juillot in Mercurey with Nathalie and Jean-Claude Theulot

19:45 Hotel Belle Époque in Beaune

20:15 Restaurant L’Air du Temps in Beaune

Pictures: Dinner at L’Air du Temps in Beaune

Day 4 - Wednesday, June 3: Côte de Beaune (South)

09:45 Maison Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet, Vineyard Walk and Winery Visit followed by Lunch with Wine Tasting at Restaurant La Table d’Olivier Leflaive

Pictures: At Maison Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet with Patrick Lefliave

14:00 Domaine Mestre Père & Fils in Santenay

Pictures: At Domaine Mestre Père & Fils in Santenay with Jonathan Mestre

16:45 Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils in Beaune

Pictures: At Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils in Beaune

See also:
Tasting Vintage 2010 Bouchard Père et Fils Wines with Panos Kakaviatos in Washington DC, USA
Vintage 2012 Bouchard Père et Fils Tasting at Ripple in Washington DC, USA – With Tasting Notes by Annette Schiller  

20:00 Dinner in Beaune

Pictures: At Bistro du Coin Place Ziem with Star Winemaker Andrew Nielson, Owner of Maison Le Grappin

Day 5 - Thursday, June 4: Beaune and Côte de Beaune (North)

10:15 Hospices de Beaune

Pictures: At the Hospices de Beaune with Karoline Knoth, M.A.

12:00 Brasserie le Carnot in Beaune

Pictures: At Brasserie le Carnot in Beaune with Owner Denise Marabito

14:00 Group 1: Domaine A-F Gros in Beaune



Pictures: At Domaine A-F Gros in Beaune with Owner and Winemaker Mathias Parent, the son of A-F Gros and Francois Parent

See also:
Caroline Parent-Gros Presented the Wines of Domaine A-F Gros in the Bourgogne at Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s Range in Washington DC

14:00 Group 2: Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune

Pictures: At Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune

16:00 Group 1: Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune

16:00 Group 2: Domaine A-F Gros in Beaune

20:00 Dinner in Beaune

Pictures: Dinner in Beaune

Pictures: Pre-dinner and After-dinner drinks at 2 of the Best Wine Bars in Beaune: Les Vins de Maurice (with Owner Maurice) and La Dilettante (with Owner Lolo)

Day 6 - Friday, June 5: Côte de Nuits

09:00 Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George

Pictures: At Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George with Mathilde Nicolas (Brand Ambassador)

11:15 Domaine du Château de Prémeaux in Nuits Saint Georges

Pictures: At Domaine du Château de Prémeaux in Nuits Saint Georges with Owner and Winemaker Arnaud Pelletier as well as Nicolas Drouhin (Wine Importer based in Berlin, Germany)

13:30 Restaurant La Gentilhommière in Nuits-Saint-George

Pictures:Lunch at Restaurant La Gentilhommière in Nuits-Saint-George

15:45 Domaine Armelle et Bernard Rion in Vosne-Romanée

Pictures: At Domaine Armelle et Bernard Rion in Vosne-Romanée with Bernard Rion and Alice Rion

18:15 Hotel Les Grands Crus in Gevrey Chambertin

Picture: Gevrey Chambertin

20:00 Restaurant Chez Guy in Gevry Chambertin

Pictures: At Chez Guy in Gevrey-Chambertin with Owner Sandrine Rebsamen 

See also:
Lunch in Gevrey-Chambertin, Bourgogne, France

Day 7 - Saturday, June 6: Côte de Nuits and Return to Hochheim via the Lorraine Region

09:00 Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey Chambertin

Pictures: At Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey Chambertin with Jean-Michel Guillon

11:30 Château du Clos de Vougeot

Pictures: At Château du Clos de Vougeot

12:45 Restaurant Clos de la Vouge in Vougeot

Pictures: Lunch at Restaurant Clos de la Vouge in Vougeot

19:00 Hôtel-Restaurant La Bergerie in Rugy, Metz

24:00 Arrival in Hochheim

Specific Postings on the  Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France (Posted and Forthcoming)

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Visit: Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé-sur-Seine: Cellar Tour and Champagne Tasting in the Garden with Veronique and Jean Pierre Josselin as well as Sharona Tsubota

The Wines of Tonnerre (Bourgogne)

Visit: Domaine Séguinot-Bordet in Maligny, Chablis: Cellar Tour and Chablis Tasting with  Owner and Winemaker Jean-François Bordet

Domaine Brocard in Chablis: Lunch, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Odile Van Der Moere, Responsable de Cave

Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully-Fuissé, Mâconnais: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Cyril Laumain, Chef de Cave

Domaine Theulot Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Nathalie and Jean-Claude Theulot

Maison Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet: Vineyard Walk Cellar Tour and Lunch with Wine Tasting at Restaurant La Table d’Olivier Leflaive with Patrick Leflaive

Wine Tasting at Domaine Mestre Père & Fils in Santenay with Jonathan Maestre

Visit: Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils in Beaune

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne

Visit: Musée de l’Hospice de Beaune with Karoline Knoth, M.A.

Domaine A-F Gros in Beaune: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Owner and Winemaker Mathias Parent

Visit: Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune

Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Mathilde Nicolas (Brand Ambassador)

Wine Tasting at Domaine du Château de Prémeaux in Nuits Saint Georges with Owner and Winemaker Arnaud Pelletier 

Domaine Armelle et Bernard Rion in Vosne-Romanée: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Bernard Rion and  Alice Rion

Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey Chambertin: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Jean-Michel Guillon

Visit: Château du Clos de Vougeot

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Preview: Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2016)

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Tasting Vintage 2010 Bouchard Père et Fils Wines with Panos Kakaviatos in Washington DC, USA

Vintage 2012 Bouchard Père et Fils Tasting at Ripple in Washington DC, USA – With Tasting Notes by Annette Schiller  

Pure Chablis – A tête-à-tête Dinner in Washington DC at Marcel’s with Chablis Wine Board President and Winemaker Jean-François Bordet, Domaine Séguinot-Bordet, USA/France

Caroline Parent-Gros Presented the Wines of Domaine A-F Gros in the Bourgogne at Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s Range in Washington DC

Dinner at Restaurant Chateau de la Barge in Creches sur Saone in Burgundy, France

In the Most Prestigious AOC in the Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé, France

Dinner at the Hostellerie des Clos in Chablis (Chef: Michel Vignaud), France

Lunch in Gevrey-Chambertin, Bourgogne, France

Chef Bart M. Vandaele Celebrated the 2 Year Anniversary of his B Too Restaurant with the Wines of Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard from Chablis, USA/France

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