SAFG - Special Offers - B1 2023 - High Res

Burgundy’s most northern region of
Chablis is located two hours southeast
of Paris, with Beanue, Burgundy’s
epicentre, located a further hour and a
half south-east. Covering six key growing
areas, Burgundy is home to the two grape
varieties that arguably make the most
famed wines in the world: Chardonnay and
Pinot Noir.
In early October, we were fortunate to spend
two days in Beaune, hosted by Patriarche Père
et Fils, one of Burgundy’s oldest and most
respected negociants and home to Europe’s
largest underground cellar, which stretches
for five kilometres and houses three-million
bottles (enough wine to fill an Olympic-sized
swimming pool!)
We were treated to a sensational line-up and
in-depth tasting in the cellars of Patriarche
Père et Fils, introduced by the knowledgeable
and charismatic Pierre Manein and Etienne
Chavanel. A vinous journey through 24 wines
from Chablis down to Beaujolais demonstrated
the intricoes of each cru and, most remarkably,
showed how different one cru can be from the
next, even when the vines are separated by just
a few meters. This emphasised that, 200 million
years in the making, Burgundy’s mille feuille of
geological layers is key to the complexity and
diversity of the regions terroir and resulting
wines.
A drive through the Côtes de Nuits and Côtes
de Beaune really brought to life the differences
in not only the terroirs but also how the climate
can change in such a short distance. Whilst
the harvest had come to an end, there were
still some grapes left on the vines; those that
hadn’t quite come up to scratch but enabled
wine-loving travellers the opportunity to taste
some Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in their
purest form.
With the largest number of restaurants
(approximately 70) to the number of
inhabitants (around 20,000), Beaune is a
gastronomic haven, and we highly recommend
trying Oeuffs en Murette (egg poached in red
wine). The Hospice de Beaune is well worth
the €11 entrance fee and the remains of the
ramparts that circle the town make for a great
way to explore the history behind Beaune.
Surrounded by an array of bistros and bars, the
cobbled main square of Place Carnot makes for
the perfect spot to watch the world go by, glass
of wine in hand. For any cheese lover, a trip to
Beaune wouldn’t be complete without a visit to
the Alain Hess Cheese Shop.
Be sure to sample some Epoisses, made in the
town of the same name halfway between Dijon
and Auxerre, along with a vast array of other
local cheeses.
Our trip to Burgundy was an educational
revelation. What really shone through was what
a key part the terroir plays in how the wine
tastes and seeing first-hand the sheer passion
that exudes from the farmers and vignerons.
Patriarche Père et Fils Chablis
Located near Auxerre in the department of
Yonne, Chablis is almost a region of its own,
being separated from the next vineyards of
Burgundy by 130 kilometres. Chablis is famed
for its kimmeridgian limestone, formed some
150 million years ago from tiny, fossilised oyster
shells, reminding us that Burgundy once lay
beneath a warm ocean and that this influence
is what shines through in the wines today.
Patriarche Père et Fils Chablis exhibits a paleyellow
hue with lemon and mineral notes on
the nose. Fresh and elegant on the palate with
a lovely rich and harmonious finish.
Place your order today on 0345 241 1122 15