2014 Morey-Coffinet Saint-Romain Sous le Chateau

Morey-Coffinet is on the southern edge of the village of Chassagne. It was started in 1978 when Michel Morey and his wife Fabienne combined vineyard parcels they’d received as wedding gifts. Michel Morey is the son of the late, highly regarded producer Marc Morey, and Fabienne is from the distinguished Pillot winemaking family. Both families have deep roots in the region and generations of history as winemakers, and together the couple worked their 22-acre domain. Now their son Thibault is sharing responsibility for the estate. Three-quarters of the estate’s wines are Chardonnay, mostly from Chassagne-Montrachet. Morey-Coffinet’s domain includes grand cru parcels in Batard Montrachet and Corton Charlemagne, as well as numerous premier crus.

Côte de Beaune is the southern half of the Côte d’Or. The Côte de Beaune includes 16 villages and appellations. Among the most famous communes are Santenay, Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, Volnay, Pommard, Beaune and Aloxe-Corton. Three of the communes include Grand Cru vineyards and there are numerous Premier Cru vineyards. Though Côte de Beaune produces outstanding red and white wines, it is especially renowned for its Chardonnays, which are considered the best in the world. The prestigious Grand Cru Chardonnays from the vineyards Corton-Charlemagne, Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet are always in high demand. The region takes its name from the village of Beaune, the unofficial capital of Burgundy. Beaune is home to many of Burgundy’s best negociants, including Joseph Drouhin, Louis Jadot and Bouchard Pere et Fils. Beaune is also home to the historic Hospices de Beaune wine auction, an annual event held by local producers for the benefit of a Beaune hospital built in the 15th century.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.