30 wines under $35

While it’s true that Burgundy is often associated with world-renowned and very expensive wines, there is an undiscovered world of small-production high-quality true-Burgundy wines out there, at prices that allow you to pull out a Burgundy without the worry. These are everyday drinking wines that are made by the same producers who make the Premier and Grand Cru wines that command extravagant prices. The trick is to get to know these winemakers, and to know how to find them in the first place. 

This is Elden Selections’ ‘raison d’etre’.  With an entire category of wines dedicated to great value hidden-gem wines, the 30 Wines Under $35 selection, is the result of their life-long pursuit of excellence in small domain Burgundy. Let’s take a wander through some of these wines, and learn along the way how to go big on quality but small on price. Elden Selections have found some great Regional and Village appellation wines with everyday-prices, for example:

• Regional appellations: Generally considered the generic Burgundy wine, appellation Bourgogne, both red and white, can also be thought of as the model of what Burgundy wine should be. These can be a great place to start. Elden Selections offer, amongst others, the Domaine Marchand Freres Bourgogne Rouge and the Chateau Cary Potet Bourgogne Rouge. And for lovers of whites, the Bourgogne Blanc appellation is sure to please, like this Domaine Borgeot Bourgogne Blanc.
• Côte Chalonnaise: Bouzeron (which interestingly doesn’t use the Chardonnay grape but opts for Aligoté instead) is a younger appellation in Burgundy terms, and as it’s less well known it comes with an attractive price tag. These ‘village appellation’ wines might have been overlooked in the past, but have become very popular as a new generation of winemakers give the Aligoté grape the respect it deserves.  Try the Julien Cruchandeau Bouzeron 'Massale' or the Domaine Borgeot Bouzeron.
• Mâconnais: (white wines only) has less of a reputation than other prestige whites but these village wines are still of great quality. Elden Selections stock Château de Vergisson Saint Veran from winemakers Stephanie Saumaize and Pierre Laroche, who are turning heads in Pouilly-Fuissé and the Mâconnais.
• Auxerrois: in particular, Saint-Bris (another interesting exception, and the subject of this recent blog post, made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape) produces wines to treasure, as do many of the winemakers in the surrounding Auxerrois region and even into Chablis itself.  Elden Selections works with Domaine Felix to offer the Saint Bris and the Saint Bris 'Cuvee Sainte Claire'
• Côte de Beaune: Not every wine from this prestigious village appellation has to be expensive. Look for Pernand Verglesses for example, or this Hautes Cotes de Beaune Blanc from Jean Claude Rateau. 
• Crémant de Bourgogne: Not all sparkling wines have to have a Champagne price tag to compete – take the Domaine Borgeot Crémant de Bourgogne - produced in the very same way as those much more expensive wines that we are allowed to call Champagne. A well-made Crémant is a great alternative sparkling wine, especially at these prices.

Price is not always a factor that can be trusted to identify quality in a wine and there are some real treasures to be found in the lesser appellations.  Burgundy wine doesn’t have to be expensive – and some of the most affordable wines may not stay that way for ever, so try them while the going is good!

We’ve got plenty more articles to discover on our Blog, including great How To guides, and profiles of some of the best winemakers we work with. You can also read about our Burgundy Wine Club – follow the link to join, and you’ll be receiving special hand-picked selections of our best wines, as well as great member-only treats such as free entry into a draw for a 4-day/3-night stay at Domaine de Cromey.