Taste: A refined wine, well appreciated in the whole world. A beautiful golden color and great aromatics of honey, linden flower (tilleul), hazelnut butter, sometimes even chamomile or hawthorn. On the palate, a silky roundness. Long on the aftertaste, with flavors of yellow plum and gingerbread. The wines from the Côte d'Or mature well and have a good balance between sugar and acid.
Pairing: After considering villages, labels, vintages, vineyards (several producers can make wine from the same vineyard) and the array of producers, the intricacies of Burgundy may make you want to throw in the towel. Luckily, the food that calls for Chardonnay from Burgundy, in particular those from Chablis and Meursault, are some of the simplest, most easy to make and delicious dishes. These are foods without super-strong flavors (else, they overwhelm the flavor of the Chardonnay), but with simple cream sauces and citrus tang that, when paired with these whites, tantalize our palates. In general, fish and shellfish are always great pairings, as well as white meats like roasted chicken and even quail. Pastas, polenta and beans provide a textural layer for many of these wines. The more mature the wine (think Meursault), the more neutral the food should be, mirroring the flavors of the wine.
About: Known to offer a magical balance of smoothness and freshness, Meursault's quality is hard to rival. The village lies in the middle of Côte de Beaune, just south of Volnay. Meursault is said to mean “mouse’s jump” because in the past the plots producing Pinot Noir and those producing Chardonnay were no more than a mouse’s jump from one another. Today the village is almost exclusively Chardonnay. A tiny bit of Pinot Noir is produced here with the best coming from Les Santenots on its northern side near Volnay.
While there are no Grands Crus, Meursault’s numerous acclaimed Premiers Crus can compete with any other top-notch white Burgundy. Some to know are Les Perrières, Les Genevrières, Les Charmes, Le Poruzot, Les Bouchères and Les Gouttes d’Or.
Meursault produces outstanding village level wines as well. In general, great Premiers Crus and even village level Meursault (Chardonnay) have enticing aromas of lime peel, tropical fruit, crushed rocks, spice and hazelnut. On the palate there is a wonderful balance of brightness and a seductive length with flavors of white peach, pineapple and citrus.
