Arrival in Burgundy; Sunshine and a Few Bottles

Corberon, where lizards are still enjoying the late autumn sunshine






We undertook the long drive to Burgundy yesterday and enjoyed brilliant sunshine the entire way.

It was cold last night; cold enough to leave stubborn ice on the windscreens of the cars.

Tasting Buddy and I have been accompanied by our families and we've taken a house in a village called Corberon situated on the plain outside Beaune. The house is big and sits in its own park-like garden and is accessed down a winding drive. The swimming pool is closed up for winter, alas; the children would have enjoyed it this afternoon as it has been unseasonably warm. We took lunch outside and had all removed our jumpers by the time the first cheese was cut.

I felt in need of a glass of wine last evening following the long car journey that brought us here and, on arrival, had that desire fulfilled on being handed a glass of 2007 Chassagne Vergers from Guy Amiot. It's a lovely rich wine, wearing an oaky nuance at the moment, finishing with a saline lick of minerality.

The red that followed was the 2003 Nuits Vaucrains of Robert Chevillon, which started remarkably pure and wholly burgundian, not something one can bet on with the wines of this vintage. From its uncorking it did, however, display some hard and slightly bitter tannins and after an hour-and-a-half, the fruit started leaching away, leaving something altogether less pleasureable.

1995 Hermitage Blanc from the Domaine Remizieres is now drinking beautifully and offers a lime-y experience on both nose and palate. This is one rich, wonderfully textured white.

Tomorrow the tasting starts and we are straight in at the deep end, with appointments from 08h30 through to supper time. I anticipate a tiring yet rewarding day. The word is that these '10s are something pretty special.