The Burgundy Wine Values Hiding in Plain Sight
Prices for Burgundy have skyrocketed! While consumer demand has definitely risen, quantities of Burgundy have dramatically dropped—thanks to three consecutive “solar” vintages that caused lower yields, which then led to an almost unprecedented vintage in 2021 that was anywhere from 50-80% lower than usual due to frost, hail, and mildew conditions. Factor in a pandemic and runaway inflation and prices have gone up by 20-60% on the wines from many producers.
We have seen this before in Bordeaux: prices went up radically from 2000-2010, and the lessons are essentially the same—explore the wines from different producers and lesser-known regions. The big names can fetch higher prices, so look under the radar. Luckily for Burgundy, many of the lesser-known appellations have been making huge improvements in quality over the last 10+ years, and I’ve been travelling to these regions each year to find the hidden gems. Let’s take a deeper look at the Mâcon, Beaujolais, and the Côte Chalonnaise. These are all regions that are absolutely bursting with amazing values.
A perfect example of the kind of remarkable values that can be found in the Macon is the 2022 Domaine Pascal & Mireille Renaud Mâcon-Charnay $19.99, a delightful white that is sourced from the small commune of Charnay-lès-Mâcon. This brilliantly displays beautiful orchard fruit and stone fruit along with mineral and saline notes. This wine sees no oak, only stainless steel so it is bright, focused and refreshing with pure zesty fruit and an energetic finish.
One of our favorite producers is Château de la Charrière, and they produce an array of amazing Burgundian values from appellations such as Santenay and Beaune. The 2021 Château de la Charrière Beaune "Les Epenottes" $24.99 is a spectacular value that shines with dark berry fruit, spice and hints of dried herbs and mineral accents. It’s a wonderful red Burgundy that has layers of seductive berry fruit while simultaneously having that renowned Burgundian rusticity that sets it apart from all other Pinot Noir–producing regions. This wine is so good for the price it is almost unbelievable.