The 8th Wine Tasting (2012-05-18) - France (Burgundy) - (White)

Burgundy (Bourgogne), one of my favorite wine region in the world. There is no fancy aroma, but its backbone, which stands. For whites, my favorite is Chablis; For reds, I'm still looking forward to meet her.

我覺得我很幸運，從開始學習品酒的時候只是一張白紙，由一個熱愛義大利酒、活在自己世界的怪老頭幫我帶路。這wine club可算是我的品酒學習之旅。從開始看著酒標都像是blind tasting到現在，這都要感謝一路支持各位。

Burgundy locates at the eastern France, and the valleys and slopes on the west of the Saône River. Burgundy is in a narrow strip covering 75 miles from north to south, and composed of the Cote d'Or (comprising the Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune), the Cote Chalonnaise and the Maconnais. The climate of Burgundy is continental with short summer and cold winter, which makes a challenge for grapes, especially for Chablis. However, the more grapes suffered, the greater wine it would be.

勃艮第在法國東部，南北狹長縱貫約120公里。紅酒以Pinot Noir為主；白酒則是Chardonnay。此區受到大陸型氣候影響，加上夏短冬冷，對於葡萄的熟成是一大挑戰。對於最北邊的Chablis，坐落於石灰岩的山丘上，克服種種不利因素，釀出了此區最獨特的白酒。Chablis的酒真的非常"難"喝，如果不是極度想要發覺藏在貝殼裡面已成化石的珍珠，很難去喜歡上他。

Major grape varieties of Burgundy are Pinot Noir (red) and Chardonnay (white). Both grapes are the extension of "Pinot" family, and they have a poor cousin, Gamay. Here is a funny story of Gamay: "In the late 14th century, the first Duke of Burgundy outlawed Gamay, dismissing it as unfit for consumption." Beaujolais became its new home.  Chablis, a sub-region of Burgundy, is isolated and locates on the northwestern Burgundy. It sits isolated on a limestone hill, and produces its unique wines.

1. 2009 Labouré-Roi Chablis 1er Cru (Chardonnay)
  aged in steel; pale; light body, high acid; aromas of apple/ green apple; mineral

2. 2009 Domaine Vincent Girardin Meursault Les Narvaux (Chardonnay)
  Cote de Beaune.
  aged in oak; smokey, stronger opening; full body, high acid; mineral

3. 2009 Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet (Chardonnay)
  aged in oak

4. 2009 Louis Latour Meursault-Blagny 1er Cru Château de Blagny (Chardonnay)
  aged in oak; vanilla but not smokey; vivid acid; rich flavor

5. 2009 Domaine Ramonet: Chassagne-Montrachet (Chardonnay)
  aged in oak; smokey, banana, and vallina

I was impressed that 4 out of 5 wines were aged in oak, and they are exceptionally good. The oak add the complexity to wines, but still maintain good balance. I really appreciate these wines. I have to admit that I wasn't experienced enough to enjoy its complexity. I didn't like Chablis after the tasting, but few months later; It's pristine and doesn't open door for whom do not open their minds.