2011 Maison Méo-Camuzet Frère et Soeur Bourgogne Rouge

The roots of Maison Méo-Camuzet Frère & Soeurs go back more than 400 years, during which time the Méo and Camuzet families have been vignerons and influential civic and industry leaders in Burgundy. Throughout the generations the family has included not only outstanding winemakers but also mayors of Vosne-Romanée and men and women who were active in politics and business on a national level. The label Méo-Camuzet was first applied to bottles with the 1983 vintage, when the two families, long connected by marriage, decided to settle on a single label. In 2008 Jean-Nicolas Méo teamed up with his sisters Isabelle and Angeline to create the negociant Maison Méo-Camuzet Frère & Soeurs. The maison produces Grand and Premier Crus, as well as village and regional wines, from many appellations.

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.

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.