White Burgundy

[judyrb2005]

What exactly is White Burgundy and why is it difficult to find?

[hotwine]

Hi Judy, and welcome to the board. It's hard to find because it's known by names other than "white Burgundy". The most common is Puilly-Fuisse (made from Chardonnay grapes), but there are others. The shape of the bottle is a good clue (although not infallible): look for a white wine from France in a bottle with low-sloping shoulders. That will usually indicate the wine is a white Burgundy.

[judyrb2005]

Thank you for the welcome.

Because this particular wine has been difficult for me to find, I participated in a wine auction for an '01 Maison Champy White Burgundy for which I was outbidded by $5.00. The shape of the wine bottle, however, didn't match your description. Any additional indicators I should be aware of outside of the two you've named?

Judy

[Thomas]

Any white wine from France that reads on the label, buorgognon blanc, plus:
Chablis
Macon
Courton
Meurseult
and a few others

Question: why are you seeking a white Burgundy?

[hotwine]

Although Maison Champy is said to be the oldest producer in Burgundy, having been founded in 1790, its reds are more highly prized than its whites. The house was not highly regarded for many years, and only revived in 1990. The "white Burgundy" (or Bourgogne Blanc) carries a modest retail price, on the order of $16-$20 it appears, whereas its reds can run several times that amount.

There are many producers in the Burgundy region, and they use several grapes other than Chardonnay. Our favorite from the region is a Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre. The general shape of the bottle in that case is as given earlier, with a low sloping shoulder. It also has a slightly wider diameter than a Bordeaux-style bottle.

[Innkeeper]

Don't know what you've been drinking Gil, but last time I looked Sancerre came from the Lorie region.

[hotwine]

Yeah, you're right, Carl.

[wondersofwine]

Add to Foodie's list Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, and St. Aubin (there are red wines from Chassagne-Montrachet and St. Aubin from Pinot Noir grapes as well as white wines from Chardonnay grapes). Macon produces some of the less expensive white Burgundies but the really famous ones are from the Cote d'Or region.

[Thomas]

Oh, and perhaps you dont' know this, Judyrb, but white Burgundy wines are produced from Chardonnay grapes.

Oops, I see Hotwine got that in there already--before he located the Loire in Burgundy [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 10-24-2005).]

[judyrb2005]

Thank you all for your help. I received more information in two days than I received from spirit shop owners.

[Jessi Marina]

i also think little difficult but the post and discussion gives a clear views...