From: Burgundy, France

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes: This vibrant wine shows notes of bright, fresh cherry, pomegranate, and plum, that dance across both the nose and the palate, along with hints of spice and smoky tobacco in the background. This culminates in a delightful red burgundy that strikes a balance between complex and easy drinking.

Pairing: Go classic, and do it up with rabbit, grilled or roasted pork, brochettes/kebabs, anything that includes mushrooms (or mushroom+cream sauce), mushroom risotto... delish! 

There are about 20 villages included in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune appellation. These old villages, many of which are barely inhabited, are secluded in the hills and their vineyards are interspersed with woodlands and farms that grow a variety of crops. The Billard family home and winery are located in one of these: La Rochepot, a small village noted for its elaborate 13th century château set into a rocky hillside that lies just west of Saint-Aubin and 15 km south of Beaune. Since 1999, Jérôme and Elisabeth Billard have represented the fourth generation of Jérôme’s family to manage Domaine Billard Pere & Fils. Jérôme has built up the estate's vineyard holdings to 26 hectares in various appellations throughout the Cotes de Beaune. They have the most holdings in Hautes Cotes de Beaune, with other small plots located in Saint Aubin 1er Cru, Saint Romain, Auxey Duresses, Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru, Chassagne-Montrachet, Santenay, and Pommard.

‘La Perrière’ is an old French word used to refer to quarries in general, as well as monastical vineyards with cellars protected by stone (“pierre”) walls. Domaine Billard’s Saint-Romain Rouge is produced from a one-hectare vineyard situated between 900 and 1200 meters above sea level in a valley behind Meursault with calcareous clay soil. Once fermentation was complete, the grapes were pressed partially by foot. The wine is matured in 20% new barrels for 9 months.