2013 Jean-Marc Boillot Volnay

Jean-Marc Boillot is a 27-acre domaine based in Pommard. Jean-Marc is part of a well-known and large winemaking family in Burgundy and in 1989 he inherited vineyards from his grandfather, which allowed him to start his own operation. Boillot makes both red and white wines, and Clive Coates has noted that “this is one of the very few quality domaines in Burgundy which is equally as important in Pinot Noir as Chardonnay…” The domaine includes a Grand Cru parcel in Batard-Montrachet, and Premier Crus in Beaune, Pommard, Volnay and Puligny-Montrachet. Boillot is also a negociant and owns a 42-acre domaine in Languedoc.

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.