The best white Burgundy wine for this summer
Outside the Golden Triangle
A little guidance within the complex world of Burgundy can't hurt. Although we actually only work with a few grape varieties: Chardonnay, Aligoté, Pinot Noir and Gamay... no two wines are the same. Of course there are similarities, but it is the subtle differences that ensure that you connect with the signature of the winemaker.
🤔 Forget Meursault & Chassagne-Montrachet!
Most Burgundy wines are too expensive these days. Sensational white Burgundy wine nowadays comes from, among others, the Mâconnais.
Here they currently offer great excitement at very competitive prices compared to the north of Burgundy. The famous Côte d'Or has only one slope, but the Mâconnais has many more different mineral soil types and exposures.
The diverse nature of the Mâconnais with its range of aspects makes it not only a source of very different and complex wine styles, but also a refuge, should the climate continue to warm. Discover with us the best white wine from Mâcon, Viré-Clessé, Saint-Véran and Pouilly-Fuissé, which are usually slightly fuller and richer than their counterparts from the north.
Good value for money in Burgundy?
Our search begins outside the known areas. Take Coulanges-la-Vineuse or the hamlet of Chitry as an example. When you enter Burgundy from Chablis and head towards Beaune, you pass these villages, but few people take this road. This dares to flirt openly with a Meursault or Puligny-Montrachet, but know that this comes with a friendlier price tag than the wines from the Golden Triangle.
Completely on the other south side of Burgundy are villages such as La-Roche-Vineuse where rich Pouilly-Fuissé-like wines are secretly created.
Are you looking for clean organic Burgundy wines?
Then you can't go past the biodynamic Domaine de Luolle (DEMETER) in the village of Moroges, just next to the famous Givry. Since 2017, this young domaine has been making flawless wines that do not need to be drunk but can be enjoyed immediately. Their Givry Blanc Champ Pourot is a beautiful blend of the classic creamy Chardonnay style but is supported by great minerals and floral nose that beautifully reflect the beauty of nature.
The best secret of the moment, however, comes from the enchanting yet relatively unknown village of Chardonnay for which you have to take the exit at Tournus. Where the origin of the grape of the same name lies. Here, domaine Vuillemez, while retaining the characteristic features of the Mâconnais region with its culinary bitters and southern riches, manages to bridge the gap with the valued freshness from the north and can thus actually summarize the entire Burgundy in one bottle.
Is there such a thing as affordable Burgundy from the Golden Triangle? Meursault or Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet?
Of course! At the top of our affordable Burgundy price range (15-35 euros), Denis Carré is currently surprising us. The vineyard "Sous la Velle" is located in Meursault, right?!... but that is not stated on the label of this Burgundy wine. How is that possible? Read this special story of Domaine Carré further on the ''Domaines'' page.
Deep roots
Are you looking for exclusivity within Burgundy?
Then visit young talent and Micro Vigneronne Aurore Bachelet in Santenay, Côte de Beaune. She has only been working under her own name since 2019. Before that, she was apprenticed to father Vincent Bachelet in Chassagne-Montrachet. With only a few hectares in her possession for the time being, she already knows how to produce special wines. These are editions of only a few hundred bottles! If you want to surprise a Burgundy expert who thought he had tasted everything, try her now affordable white Burgundy wine. From her father's hand, Vincent Bachelet, you can always trust that he puts something special in the bottle. His Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Sentier du Clou is a white Burgundy of very high quality, balanced between buttery and mineral freshness. And is usually a bit slimmer compared to Meursault or Chassange-Montrachet and is therefore the textbook example of balance within Burgundy.
Are you looking for fresh Burgundy Chardonnay wine?
The Chardonnay grape is very versatile and can be molded into many shapes. This grape has basically a very round mouthfeel. But in Burgundy the deep roots give a lot of minerality to the wine. Pick the grapes a little earlier in the summer and then let them develop in steel or concrete tanks and voilá... a dry and fresh Burgundy wine is born. They are often fresher than your average Sauvignon Blanc, but without that grassy element but with explosive fruity acids and minerals that jump off the roundness of the Chardonnay grape. A good example is Domaine Thevenard in Uchizy with their trendsetting fresh Chardonnays of the future.
Are you looking for full Burgundy Chardonnay wine?
Then you don't have to look much further than Domaine Normand in the village of La Roche Vineuse! With their originally Norman muscles and the southern flair of the Mâconnais, they create rich, buttery Chardonnays with lots of backbone and that typical crème brulee vanilla nose. But as Burgundy defines, also with underpinning fruity acids such as in this example with pineapple, stone fruit and fresh lemons.
If we drive a little further to the southernmost point of Burgundy we will reach the villages of Viré and Clessé. Although it has long been tipped as a place for affordable Burgundy, this terroir is also increasingly characterized as a place for gastronomic wines of the highest level that should not be missing from the menu of a star restaurant. The wines from this region often have a nice fat on the bones. Lovers of big tears in the glass will enjoy a glass of Viré-Clessé from Domaine Montbarbon after 18 holes at the adjacent Golf de Mâcon la Salle. The Macon-Village from Domaine Naisse also comes from this corner with the same richness but added to steel and is therefore a little easier to drink, for example with lunch.
Are you looking for something festive or an original gift?
A well-made Crémant de Bourgogne is known for its balanced and harmonious character. The wine has a perfect balance between acidity and sweetness, making it refreshing without being too sour or too sweet. These properties make Crémant de Bourgogne a versatile wine, ideal for various occasions and a wide range of culinary combinations. For those who swear by the power and concentration of Champagne, we also represent some very exclusive Champagne houses that are not available anywhere else.
Why Burgundy Or Nowhere?
We select wine based on winemaker, then vintage and then on
origin (e.g. Gevrey-Chambertin, Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet ect.) In this order and not the other way around. We are not sensitive to expensive-sounding appelations. Of course there are beautiful wines among them, but the real value can be found in the magical hands of the winemaker, preferably before he/she becomes... Read More
Service and attention from a passionate small entrepreneur who critically searches for affordable wine from emerging talent from Burgundy.
Own import. No every street corner wines from the major importers.
Our specialization lies in exciting and also affordable Burgundy's that can be enjoyed immediately and cost between 15 and 35 euros.
Pick up wine? Make an appointment via the following number. +31 (0) 6 578 275 59 Christopher Engel.
Visiting address: Westeinde 18, 7852 TB Wezup, Drenthe (PAYS-BAS)
Located between Orvelte, Zweelo and Aalden. Near Landal Aelderholt / Drenthe Golf Club de Gelpenberg
No blind (continuity) purchases. Everything is compared every year and if a vintage from a particular winery is disappointing, we come up with a suitable alternative. Vintage is everything in Burgundy.
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Burgundy Or Nowhere
attn. Christopher Engel
Phone: +31 (0) 6 578 275 59
E-mail: info@burgundyornowhere.com
KVK nr: 89030354
BTW nr: NL004685744B97
IBAN BANKACCOUNT NUMBER: NL29RABO0338853901
Westeinde 18, 7852 TB WEZUP, DRENTHE THE NETHERLANDS (PAYS-BAS)