1966 Bouchard Ainé & Fils Mercurey Clos La Marche

This Beaune-based negociant is one of the largest in Burgundy, and it includes the producer Bouchard Pere et Fils. Originally started in 1731 to sell cloth, founder Michel Bouchard and his sons eventually acquired vineyards and sold wine. The Bouchard family owned and operated the company until 1995, when it was sold to the French Champagne house Joseph Henriot. With more than 300 acres of vineyards in various parts of Burgundy, Bouchard Pere et Fils produces Grand Crus, Premiers Crus and other wines. It makes red and white Burgundies, and is especially well-known for Grand Cru Chardonnays. As a negociant, Bouchard Aine & Fils, markets a large portfolio of wines from many Burgundian appellations,

Mercurey, the appellation, includes the communes of Mercurey and Saint-Martin-sous-Montaigu, and it is the largest of the Côte Chalonnaise appellations by size and production. Mercurey takes its name from the Roman god Mercurey, who was a winged messenger and the god of commerce. The appellation includes nearly 1,600 acres of vineyards, of which 95% is planted to Pinot Noir and 5% to Chardonnay. Though there are no Grand Crus, there are 32 Premier Cru vineyards. Robert M. Parker Jr. wrote several decades ago that Mercurey was “the appellation of the future in the Côte Chalonnaise” because of relatively high quality wines offered at good value. Prices have crept up, but Clive Coates has noted more recently that “Mercurey is the most structured of the Chalonnaise reds wines…At its best, it is rich and ample though, with a certain earthiness…”

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.