I first tasted a White Burgundy wine at our wedding. Jack and I eloped on a beach on Nantucket island. As part of the ceremony, our minister asked us to break bread and sip wine as husband and wife. The wine he chose was a white wine from the Burgundy region of France. While I don’t remember the exact wine we had that day, I do remember really enjoying the wine. It was crisp and refreshing yet balanced and structured.
White Burgundy is made almost exclusively of the Chardonnay grape – which is one of the world’s most popular wine grapes. Why? Probably because it is easy to grow which makes it readily available. However, many people seem to have a love/hate relationship with Chardonnay. I am one of them. For me, it is all about the oak. I love Chardonnay when it is unoaked. Many White Burgundy wines I have found are unoaked — which is why I love them so much!
There are four main areas in the Burgundy wine region that produce White Burgundy wines, and each has a slightly different flavor profile, and price point. Bourgogne Blanc is considered to be the “simplest” of White Burgundy wine as well as the cheapest. The flavor is light with citrus and apple notes. It is a great place to start your White Burgundy journey! Mâconnais is another region that delivers quality wines at a good value. The flavor is similar to Bourgogne Blanc with hints of citrus, but you may also taste some melon. Chablis wines are very distinct with high acidity and minerality. They pair really well with oysters and other shellfish. The Côte de Beaune is the top of the line as far as White Burgundy wines go. These wines are typically aged in oak barrels which gives them a unique flavor. Wines from this area tend to be the most expensive.
Pairings
The chardonnay grape is an easy wine to pair with food because it comes in a wide variety of styles, and flavors. The richness of the grape allows it to pair really well with rich sauces that include cream and butter. Raw and cooked seafood is also a natural pair due to the acidity and minerality in the flavor profile. Keep in mind that the one thing that will affect your pairing is whether the wine is oaked.
My Favorite Pairings
Grilled Pizza with Lemon & Arugula
This is the perfect weekday pairing because
it is simple to prepare and the wine is
light and refreshing!
Orange Olive Oil Cake with Summer Berry Salad
This cake is great for entertaining and the
White Burgundy wine pairs nicely with the
citrus flavor.
A simple vegetarian dish paired with a
simple White Burgundy makes for an
elegant pairing!
