2022 Bourgogne Blanc, Benjamin Leroux

Bourgogne Rouge and Bourgogne Blanc are terms used to apply to red and white wines from Burgundy that fall under the generic Bourgogne AOC. These wines can be produced by over 350 individual villages across the region. These are very general appellations and thus it is hard to pinpoint specific characteristics of the wines as a whole, due to the huge variety produced.

Around 4,600 acres of land across Burgundy are used to produce Bourgogne Rouge; this is around twice as much as is dedicated towards the production of generic whites.

Pinot Noir is the primary grape used in Bourgogne Rouge production. For Bourgogne Blanc, Chardonnay is the dominant grape variety. Aligoté and other white Burgundian varieties may also be used in small proportions.

Bourgogne Rouge wines tend to be focused and acidic. The fruit is less cloying than in some New World wines also made from Pinot Noir. They develop more floral notes as they age. Bourgogne Blanc wines typically display crisp acidity and mineral characteristics. They often show citrus and green apple flavours when young, developing more complex notes with age.

Although entry-level wines, some Bourgogne Rouges and Blancs can be exquisite depending on the area and producer. They remain at very affordable prices compared to more prestigious Burgundy appellations.

Having created a name for himself as régisseur (general manager) of Domaine du Comte Armand in Pommard, Benjamin Leroux established, with English backing, a small négociant business based in Beaune since 2007. The range is confined to the Côte d’Or, from Chassagne-Montrachet to Gevrey-Chambertin, with the intention of developing farming contracts or indeed purchasing vineyards in the future. The possibilities are very exciting for this exceptionally talented vigneron. Benjamin is a master at delivering purity of fruit alongside a seamless texture in his wines which have only the subtlest influence of oak. One of Benjamin’s favourite locations for white wine vineyards is the border between Auxey-Duresses and Meursault, which is where Les Vireuils can be found. Here the natural weight of Meursault is enhanced by the fresher minerality typical of the side valley of Auxey-Duresses. Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director and author of the award-winning Inside Burgundy comprehensive handbook.Discover the story behind our Own Selection Bourgogne Côte d’Or Pinot Noir, made for us by Benjamin.

Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or. Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.
It is quantitatively important in California and Australia, is widely planted in Chile and South Africa, and is the second most widely planted grape in New Zealand. In warm climates Chardonnay has a tendency to develop very high sugar levels during the final stages of ripening and this can occur at the expense of acidity. Late picking is a common problem and can result in blowsy and flabby wines that lack structure and definition. Recently in the New World, we have seen a move towards more elegant, better- balanced and less oak-driven Chardonnays, and this is to be welcomed.