Strawberry Epiphanies on The Routes de Grand Cru

Captains Log. Day 2. Today the wine family experienced the North part of the Routes de Grand Cru (pronounced Cruss according to Google maps). The funny thing was we were heading to Beaujolais. There was an unfortunate incident, things were said… mostly by me. But it did end up with someone (me) threatening to punch James the GPS in the chicken. Well if I am honest, I used the French term for it: coq.

Needless to say we missed Beaujolais by many kms

but did get to have a picnic with baguettes, charcuterie, brie and lovely tomatoes. But we didn’t just picnic anywhere, oh no it was at the top of Mazi-Chambertin. Which is where Steve had his strawberry epiphany. And rightly so because these tasty red treats from Nimes were unlike strawberries I’ve ever tasted in Australia. Oh and we also drove past Le Chambertin and satellites, Clos Vougeot, Clos Des Tart, Clos de Lambrays, THE hill of Corton and glimpsed the Grand Crus of Chambolle and Vosne. But you know, sometimes the epiphanies choose you.

Green Heart marks the site of epiphany.
Green Heart marks the site of epiphany.
To follow that up we tasted at the Caveau in Morey-Saint-Denis.

The store keeper has 13 of the 25 producers of Morey in the store and happily poured up Bourgogne, Village and Premier Cru. With palates calibrated to the local wine we trotted off following the directions of James the GPS; many a wrong turn was offered and there was more swearing. We did get home though and set about enjoying some of the local whites and cooking.

This is Chardonnay but not as we know it.

While we awaited the boeuf bourguignon we sat down to a masterclass of Grand Cru and ‘should this be Grand Cru?’ wines.
Meursault Charmes Premier Cru paired with a Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru. Much debate was had over the merits of each wine. That was enjoyable and indeed Meursault did deserve a Grand Cru.

With dinner.

Henri Gouges Les Saint Georges Premier Cru. Surely though, such a majestic wine and a Grand Cru in the eyes and palates of all who experience it. There was love for this wine.

Unfortunately a few of the family had peaked tooooo early on delicious White Burgundy and the last two wines of the flight remained in their box for another night. I was slightly disappointed as I know how good they will be. Never mind, there will be another night for these wines.

Tomorrow I will introduce everyone to petit dejeuner

In my mind, the greatest form of breakfast known to man and something not achievable in Australia. Please enlighten me if I have this wrong. And then the serious tasting starts.

Harmand Geoffroy in Gevrey Chambertin in the morning and Thierry Violot-Guillemard in Pommard in the evening. We’ll find some time for lovely food and more vineyard hopping.

I must add that Steve has brought his camera along and most of the shots you see are his. I shall post up links to his work because I am kind of in love and it’s not the side effects of the Burgundy.

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