2005 Mischief and Mayhem Volnay

Mischief and Mayhem is a whimsical name for a Burgundy wine venture that began in the early aughts. It was founded by Michael Ragg, a UK fine wine merchant, and his wife Fiona Traill-Stevenson, who, like her husband, also worked for a time at Berry Bros. & Rudd wine merchants. In 2003 the pair opened a wine consultancy and brokering business in Aloxe-Corton, and a year later they started making wine from sourced grapes under their own Mischief and Mayhem label. Michael Twelftree, owner of Australia’s Two Hands Wines, was also involved initially, though no longer. In 2012 Mischief and Mayhem purchased a small plot in Aloxe-Corton, and added a second plot in 2013. Burghound.com has noted that the house style is “definitely modern.” The couple say that one of their goals is to demystify fine Burgundy wines by describing the provenance of the grapes for each bottle on the back label, along with information about the vintage and production details.

Volnay is a small appellation with just 904 vineyard acres and a town of fewer than 500 residents. Nevertheless, to Burgundy enthusiasts, it's a jewel. Clive Coates calls Volnay “one of the most delightful wines and one of the most rewarding communes in the Côte d’Or.” Robert M. Parker Jr. described Volnay as “the queen of the Côte de Beaune.” Volnay has always been appealing. In the 13th and 14th centuries the powerful Dukes of Burgundy acquired land there and built chateaux. The medieval town sits on the hillside above the vineyards and the appellation is restricted to red wines made of Pinot Noir. Though there are no Grands Crus, there are 35 Premiers Crus. Some reviewers say the lighter soil of Volnay, compared with Pommard to the north, makes Volnay wines more delicate and elegant than wines from neighboring appellations. Robert M. Parker Jr. wrote that Volnay has a “high-quality level of winemaking…The top Volnays possess an immense, seductive fruitiness and lushness…”

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.