2012 Thierry et Pascale Matrot Saint-Aubin En Creots

Thierry et Pascal Matrot is the name of one of the Meursault domaine that has been in the Matrot family for six generations. The estate was called Domaine Joseph Matrot until the early 1960s, when it became domaine Pierre Matrot when Joseph’s son Pierre took over. Pierre’s son Thierry is now in charge, along with his wife Pascale. For legal reasons having to do with inheritance, some wines are still produced under the Pierre Matrot label, though most now are sold under the Domaine Thierry et Pascal Matrot label. Thierry is winemaker for all the wines, and the family domaine includes the couple’s daughters Adele and Elsa, both of whom studied business and viticulture in college. The domaine is comprised of 45 acres and makes Premier Cru and villages red and white wines. Premier Cru parcels are in Saint-Aubin, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, and Volnay Santenots, among other sites. Matrot wines earn consistently good reviews and Clive Coates calls the estate “a good address.”

Côte de Beaune is the southern half of the Côte d’Or. The Côte de Beaune includes 16 villages and appellations. Among the most famous communes are Santenay, Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, Volnay, Pommard, Beaune and Aloxe-Corton. Three of the communes include Grand Cru vineyards and there are numerous Premier Cru vineyards. Though Côte de Beaune produces outstanding red and white wines, it is especially renowned for its Chardonnays, which are considered the best in the world. The prestigious Grand Cru Chardonnays from the vineyards Corton-Charlemagne, Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet are always in high demand. The region takes its name from the village of Beaune, the unofficial capital of Burgundy. Beaune is home to many of Burgundy’s best negociants, including Joseph Drouhin, Louis Jadot and Bouchard Pere et Fils. Beaune is also home to the historic Hospices de Beaune wine auction, an annual event held by local producers for the benefit of a Beaune hospital built in the 15th century.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.