Burgundy Wine Palate Advisor: Full-Bodied Reds & Crisp, Flinty Limestone Whites
Have you tried burgundywine.com's Palate Advisor tool yet? It's an innovative way to discover wines that match your palate preferences. These are not just generic labels to categorize a wine, though; our tasting notes are based on thirty years of experience in the Burgundy wine industry!
The Domaine de Cromey, home of BurgundyWine.com by Elden Selections, embodies this spirit of excellence. It's an organic, passionate, and uncompromising pursuit of perfection in the simplest of things. The wines recommended by our Burgundy Wine palate advisor come from skilled winemakers their best wines that have been tracked from vineyard to bottle, vintage after vintage. You can explore categories such as Full-Bodied Reds and Crisp, Flinty, Limestone Whites. In this article we will look at how our tool selects wines based on these particular flavors, and also look at the other stages involved in appreciating wine, such as color and aroma.
Finding Full-bodied Red Burgundy Wines
Burgundy's full-bodied reds may not be as powerful as California Cabs or Rioja Reservas, but they still pack a punch and can compete with the best. What sets them apart is that they don't come with the bigname prices; our Burgundy Wine palate advisor lists Premier Cru reds from expert producers like Domaine Michel Rebourgeon and Bénigne Joliet (as featured in the New York Times!) that can easily compete with Grand Crus from around the world. Even village-level wines from Gevrey-Chambertin like those made by Domaine Marchand Freres can give you a high quality, full-bodied wine with the concentration and meatiness you would expect.
Some of the best, most powerful reds are those bought at the Hospices de Beaune and Hospices de Nuits wine auctions. These special wines are sold every year at the world-renowned charity wine auction in Beaune, the proceeds of which are used to fund the General Hospital in Beaune and support the ongoing preservation of the Hospices building, now classified as a national monument. Wine professionals and connoisseurs gather in Beaune on the third Sunday in November for this purest of Burgundy traditions.
Discovering Crisp, Flinty, Limestone Burgundy White Wines
It's easy to forget that Chablis is actually a type of Chardonnay that originates from Burgundy. However, it's not just any dry white wine; it's a Burgundian specialty that is bursting with unique and captivating aromas and flavors. Burgundy is the only region in the world that produces as many crisp, flinty, limestone whites, and we are proud to work with exceptional small producers who embody this excellence.
One example is Domaine Oudin, whose Chablis boasts classic sweet river-rock minerality and floral freshness, and is considered a perfectionist's Chablis 'tout-court' by the locals. Another is Jean Dauvissat Pere et Fils Chablis 1er Cru 'Vaillons,' which has a slightly 'fatter' and more vigorous character, but always maintains that lingering minerality. If you're looking to try something different, you can also explore whites from the Mâconnais region, like Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint Veran, or even venture to the very southern part of the Cote de Beaune to try whites from the quarries of Chassagne-Montrachet or Santenay.
Things to Consider When Tasting Burgundy Wine
When it comes to wine tasting, we often get carried away trying to describe the experience using complex words and phrases. However, it's important to remember that you don't need to use such language to enjoy wine. The experience of tasting wine is just as important and meaningful regardless of how you describe it. You can simply say that the wine tastes good and that's perfectly fine. The act of discussing wines with fellow enthusiasts is a great way to spend an evening, and it's all part of the experience. Keep in mind that wine tasting is a personal experience, so feel free to do what you enjoy and learn as you go. Our Burgundy Wine palate advisor is simply there to give you ideas and suggestions.
When you're tasting wine, take a small sip, let it sit in your mouth, swish it around, and wait before coming to a conclusion. The initial flavors will be different from those that come later on, which is sometimes referred to as the "mid-palate". They will be different from how it leaves your mouth feeling - the "finish". Let enough air mix with the wine in your mouth, and breathe out through your nose. Keep in mind that the type of glass and the temperature at which you drink the wine will affect its taste. Check out our article on choosing the best wine glass to enjoy your Burgundy wines, as this can make a noticeable difference.
Using Your Eyes and Nose in Wine Tasting
Burgundy wines come in an astonishing range of colors. When you’re looking at a wine in the glass, notice how the light is reflecting and refracting off both the wine and the glass, creating a range of colors. This is also known as the wine's 'robe.' For instance, Auxey-Duresses reds may have a bright ruby color, while Meursault whites may have a greeny-gold robe with silvery hints. One other thing to keep in mind is the way the wine runs back down the side of the glass when you swirl it. If it runs slowly, leaving drops behind (also called the 'legs' of a wine), then this may indicate high sugar and/or alcohol levels.
There are typically three types of aroma (or bouquet) to look out for in wine: primary (coming from the grapes themselves), secondary (from the fermentation or barrel), and tertiary (which develop as a wine ages and naturally evolves over time). Take in all of these aromas. Pinot Noir grapes may evoke images of spring flowers, musky ones such as jasmine, red or black fruits (like a great Aloxe-Corton wine), cinnamon, liquorice, or even leather. Chardonnay can remind you of apples, almonds, honey and peaches (especially if you're drinking wine from Puligny-Montrachet). You could even try thinking of wine in 3dimensions with layers of aroma and taste, and an overall 'structure' that has a beginning, middle, and end. If you're not getting much in terms of aromas, try decanting the wine. Check it's at the right temperature, too.
Here at burgundywine.com we view our role very much as a curator of wines, spreading the word—and the joy—of the best small producers in Burgundy. We use a selective process, developed over many years. It's based on curating wines across vintages, producers and appellations. Because we have the local knowledge at our fingertips, and we only sell online, we’re able to offer you the best selection of superb-quality, small-appellation Burgundy wines at the most affordable prices. That's the ethos behind our Burgundy Wine palate advisor, too.
We have a specially-designed tasting room at our disposal here at Domaine de Cromey, and now you've discovered our Burgundy Wine palate advisor we’d love you to visit the perfect room to drink our wines in! Steeped in history, and feeling a little like a private study crossed with a sports bar with a hint of baronial splendour, it’s the best place to try our wines (and not too far from the cellars either!) Why not visit these links to read more about what you can look forward to if you come and be our guest at a Cromey House Party or a Mix and Meet week?
Check out more of our articles that explain the intricate details of Burgundy wine on our website. Our latest articles include a profile of Morey-St-Denis, a village located in the Côte de Nuits, and a piece on the Volnay AOC which is located in the Côte de Beaune and is famous for producing exceptional red wines. Also, don't forget to join our Burgundy Wine Club, which is open for membership now!