2011 Francois Gaunoux Beaune Clos des Mouches

Francois Gaunoux has a long and distinguished history in Meursault, Burgundy. The Gaunoux family has been involved in winemaking in the Cote d’Or for centuries, and Francois is the son of the late Henri Gaunoux, who was a renowned winemaker. Francois started working in the vineyards at age 15, and for nearly 30 years was president of the Committee of Viticulture of the Cote d’Or. The 25-acre estate is now run by Francois and his daughter Claudine. Francois Gaunoux produces Grand Cru and Premier Cru Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Of particular note are the estate’s Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Volnay and Pommard.

Le Clos de Mouches is a 62-acre Premier Cru vineyard in Beaune, in Burgundy’s Cote d’Or. Though Beaune has no Grand Crus, it has 44 vineyards that are either entirely or partly Premier Cru. Le Clos de Mouches is located in the southern third of the appellation, and like many of its neighbors, it faces nearly due east.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.