Legendary and world famous Burgundy wines stand out as brilliant gems in the wine world.

Recently, the Burgundy domains association organized a tasting of its wines in Toronto to showcase the quality of its products. 16 wineries and two negociants proudly poured their wines for an eager crowd, and the trade.

Burgundy, by all accounts, is a small region with well established vineyards (Grands crus being the best, followed by premiere crus, village level and ordinary).

Cote d’Or vineyards are minutely parcellated due to a combination of Napoleonic code (inheritance to be distributed evenly to all family members), and absence of large estates as is the case in Bordeaux.

In Burgundy, several growers may own one vineyard. In some cases a grower may own one or two rows of vines. Negociants (merchants) started to appear early in the 18^th century buying grapes or wines from growers to blend, bottle and market.

Over time, merchants invested in vineyards, and made wine, while still buying grapes or wine or both from small farmers. In the 1990’s the situation changed with the help of technology of bottling and other innovations.

Small growers now make their own wines and market, sometimes in selected markets with help from local agents. This tasting was orgnaized by the association of small producers (domains).

Domains being small (10 – 40 hectares) pay more attention to quality, and price their wines more attractively. Some of the wineries present have already agents in Ontario. A few are still looking, or may have already signed contracts.

There were approximately 100 wines (whites, red, sparkling) of 2015 and 2016 vintages. In this selection I included only wines scoring 88+ and above.

Whites wines

Macon-Verze, 2015, Domaine La Jobeline
88+/100

Macon – Verze En Previsy 2015 Domain La Jobeline
89/100

Domaine de Monperthuis
Chablis grand Cru Valmur, 2015
92/100

Chablis Premier Cru Montamains, 2015
89+/100

Chablis, 2015
90/100

Chablis AMPHORE
88+/100

Saint Bris
88+/100
Represented in Ontario by Nicholas Pearce np@npwines.com

Domaine de Bicheron
Vire Clesse, 2-15
92/100
Macon Peronne, 2015
89/100
Macon Peronne Vieille Vignes
93+/100

Henri de Villamont
Auxey Duresses La Canee, 2014
88+/100
Chassagne – Montrachet Premiere Cru Les Embazees, 2011
90+/100
Artisanal Imports Toronto

Louis Moreau
Chablis Vaulignot, 2015
91/100
Grand Cru Les Clos, 2015
92/100

Domaine Marie-Pierre Manciat
Chardonnay, 2015
89/100
Pouilly-Fuisse,
88+/100

Domaine Trapet-Rochelandet
Bourgogne Chardonnay, 2014
88+/100

Jean Curial et Fils
Saint Veran, 2015
88+/100

Maison Ambroise
Alogite, 2015
88+/100

Mason Francois Martenot
Meursault, 2015
89+/100

Red wines

Domaine Trapet-Rochelandet
Gevrey Chambertin Vieille Vignes, 2014
90+/100
Gevrey Chambertin Les Carougeots, 2014
91/100
Gevrey Chambertin Les Champs Chenys, 2014
90/100
Geverey Chabertin Pemeir cru Bel Air, 2014
90+/100
Gevrey Chabertin Premiere Cru Petite Chapelle, 2014
90+/100
Ruchottes Chambertin, 2014
92/100

Jean Curial et Fils
Beaujolais Villages Clos du Perpetuant, 2014
88+/100

Maison Ambroise
Corton Grand Cru Le Rognet, 2014
90+/100
Nuits Saint Georges Premiere Cru Les Vaucraines, 2013
90+/100

Domaine de Montpertuis
Irancy, 2015
88+/100
See above

Domaine de Riousse
Pinot, 2015
88+/100
Gamay, 2015
90/100

Henri de Villamont
Pinot Noir Prestige, 2014
89/100
Chambolle Musigy Premiere Cru Les Chatelots, 2011
90/100

Domaine Tortochot
Gevrey Chambertin Les Corvees, 2015
89+/100
Gevrey Chambertin Grand Cru Charmes Chambertin, 2015
93+/100
j.Cipelli Wines Toronto Martin Jordan

Sparkling wines
(Cremant de Bourgogne)

Domaine Marie-Pierre Manciat
Brut
88+/100
Blanc de Blancs Brut, 2014
89+/100

Maison Louis Picamelot
Brut Les Terroirs, 2014
88+/100
Brut Les Terroir Rose
89+/100
Blanc de Blancs Les Reipes, 2014
90/100
Blanc de Noirs En Chazet
89+/100

Villeaut Albert
Blanc de Bancs
88+/100
Cuve Anges
89+/100
Blanc de Noirs
89/100