2017 Bernard Moreau Bourgogne Aligoté

Bernard Moreau is a fourth-generation winemaker in Chassagne-Montrachet, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. He is joined in the business by his sons Alexandre and Benoit. The domaine includes 35 acres in the communes of Chassagne-Montrachet and Saint-Aubin. The estate makes several dozen wines, of which about 60 % are white, and 40% red. There are red and white Premier Cru parcels in Chassagne-Montrachet. Of special notes is the Chassagne-Montrachet rouge Premier Cru monopole, La Cardeuse. Clive Coates notes that Bernard Moreau produces “very good wines.”

Burgundy in eastern France is, if not the most famous and storied wine region in the world, certainly one of the top two or three. Its winemaking history dates from the Roman era, and its relatively small size and reputation for outstanding wines means that the best wines of Burgundy are generally among the world’s most prized – and costly – wines. At about 110,000 vineyards acres, Burgundy is only 40% as big as Bordeaux, and its system of dividing up vineyards into small, family-owned parcels makes understanding the wines of Burgundy a life-long pursuit for Burgundy enthusiasts. The three main grapes of Burgundy are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gamay. Burgundy is a long, narrow, north-south running region consisting of five main areas. They are Chablis in the north, Côte D’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais and Beaujolais, which is just above the Rhone Valley. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are grown throughout most of Burgundy but Gamay is grown primarily in Beaujolais. The appellation system and rules about labeling can be confusing and the system classifies regions, villages and even individual vineyards. Grand Cru is the most prestigious appellation category, followed by Premier Cru and many village and regional appellations.