Burgundy & Burghound

For the Burgundy lovers on the site, I thought you might be interested in the following site: www.burghound.com. I had the opportunity to meet Allen Meadows, renowned Burgundy expert, last night at an event that I catered. It was the 50th birthday party for my client, a Burgundy lover, himself, who brought out some truly spectacular wines from his cellar. The site is subcription based, but as it points out, get one very expensive yet very bad bottle of Burgundy, unfortunately not uncommon, its cost may not seem so high. Burgundy is a region that I personally have wanted to learn more about as I love the good wines that I have had from there, yet I have been unable to find any particularly good resources about it. So I'm very excited about this source.

Anyway, he seems quite interesting and extremely knowlegeable.

For those of you interested, the following were the wines served and food that was paired. I wish I had been able to taste more of them, but obviously my staff and I were pretty busy coordinating the details of the tasting. I do recall the that the 1st Fevre was outstanding as was the Volnay Champens.

Champagne
1996 Henriot Brut Champagne Millésime
•
Gougères

Chablis
2002 Fèvre - Les Clos
2004 Fèvre - Preuses

Oysters on the Half Shell Served with Cubes of Tomato & Fresh Horseradish Aspic
•
Chassagne Montrachet
2001 Ramonet - Ruchottes
2001 Ramonet – Caillerets
•
Chinese Spoons of Seared Sea Scallops Served on Parsnip-Fennel Puree with Caramelized Fennel
&
Tartlets of Montrachet Topped with Roasted Red & Yellow Bell Peppers

Côte de Beaune
2002 d'Angerville - Volnay Champans
2002 Lafon - Volnay Santenot
•
Salmon Rillettes on Ficelle Toasts
&
Prosciutto-Wrapped Escargot

Côte de Nuits
2001 Hudelot-Noëllat - Clos de Vougeot
2001 Jean Grivot – Echézeaux
•
Red Wine-Scented Venison Served on Buttered Brioche Topped With Brown Butter-Sweet Potato Purée
& a Garnish of Pink Sea Salt
&
Salad of Thinly Sliced Smoked Duck, Cubes of Roasted Beet, Arugula & Endive

Post Tasting
2002 Bouchard - Corton-Charlemagne
2000 Jouard - Chassagne Montrachet Truffiere
1990 de Courcel - Pommard 1er Cru Grand Clos des Epenots
2000 Gros Frère et Soeur - Clos de Vougeot "Musigni"
•
Cheeses from the Burgundy Region (Epoisses, Chevre d'or and Chaource) served with Agen Prune-Cardamon Bread
A Tasting of Locally Produced Artisanal Chocolates

MAG,

It's nice to see Burghound get the attention it (and Allen) deserve. I have been a subscriber for a few years now, and even though his reviews are quarterly, they are tomes and will keep you busy for months.

There is no doubt that Burghound had the timing right. Parker is well known to not understand Burgundy, mostly because Burgundy is not meant for the hedonistic style that he so much appreciates. It is much more about nuance and elegance. This is probably why he handed this review section to Pierre Rovani years ago, but that partnership recently closed it's doors. Anyway, the point is that Burghound is THE sight for a burgundy lover. It is without question, the most complicated wine region in the world and Allen Meadows makes it an easy land to traverse.

I am a member of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin in Singapore and we are hopefully hosting Mr. Meadows in May I'll keep you posted of any insights.

Your menu looks excellent and I am happy to see the use of Epoisses. It's "runny" but fabulous!

Thanks

Jim