Three red Burgundies that prove wines from the French region don’t have to be expensive
From fruity and aromatic to smoky and spicy, these wines are a joy to drink and won’t break the bank
Burgundy’s 29,067 hectares under vine represents a mere 3.7 per cent of all the vineyards in France. Despite its relatively small size, the market is highly fragmented. Of the region’s 3,901 wineries only 1,089 sell more than 10,000 bottles a year. The remaining estates are made up of 16 cooperative cellars and 288 wine merchants. Burgundies can be breathtakingly expensive but here are three that offer value for money.
Château de la Maltroye, Chassagne-Montrachet (Rouge) 1er Cru, Clos du Château de la Maltroye Monopole 2015. HK$430
Established in 1940, with 13 hectares of vineyard in Chassagne-Montrachet and two hectares in Santenay, Domaine Château de la Maltroye is now managed by third-generation family member Jean-Pierre Cornut.
Chassagne-Montrachet is famed for its white wines and its reds are often overlooked. The trend is for pinot noir vines to be replanted with chardonnay, which fetches higher prices. At Château de la Maltroye, 40 per cent of the vines are pinot noir. Reds from Chassagne-Montrachet still offer value for money as prices are on the lower side compared with the Côte de Nuits. In terms of style, the wines are on the lighter side, with more delicate fruit aromatics.
In the vineyard, bunches are removed to keep yields low. Red wines undergo oak ageing for 14 to 18 months with a light filtration.
Restrained red fruit, still quite tight on the nose. Fresh, fruity on the palate, medium bodied with crisp acidity and some grippy tannins. Finishing medium long. Approachable and ready for drinking.