2011 Francois Parent Vosne Romanee

Burghound.com has called the Francois Parent 2004 Monthelie Champs Fuillot "Outstanding...A top value." And the review noted that the wine is "a quality effort by any standard." As with many domaines in Burgundy, the domain Francois Parent's history is complicated and includes many family ties to other nearby domaines. Francois Parent is married to A.F. (Anne) Gros, and Francois is involved with the winemaking at both domaines. Francois Parents owns about 12 acres of vineyards. The domaine makes produces 40,000 bottles a year.

Vosne-Romanée is the most prestigious appellation in Burgundy. Its 449 acres of vineyards are in and around the village of Vosne-Romanée and they include renowned Grand Cru vineyards which produce some of the world’s most coveted – and costly —wines. The Grands Crus are Richebourg, La Romanée, Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Saint-Vivant and La Tâche. The Grand Crus Échezeaux and Grands- Échezeaux are actually located in the neighboring village of Flagey-Échezeaux, but legally they can be sold under the Vosne-Romanée appellation. There are also seventeen Premier Crus in Vosne-Romanée. Wine writer Clive Coates has called Vosne-Romanée “the greatest Pinot Noir village on earth” and notes that the appellation’s style “is for wines which are rich, austere, sensual, masculine and aristocratic.”

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.