burgundy
2022 Domaine Jomain Bourgogne Côte-d’Or White Burgundy
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Photo from Encyclopedia Britannica
Bourgogne Côte-d’Or (meaning slope of gold or golden slope) is a department created during the French Revolution in 1790. It was originally part of the old province of Burgundy. Its history includes reassignment of arrondissements (land) and after the battle of Waterloo (1815) the area was controlled by the Austrian army until 1818. The area was once again rearranged in 1926 and finally Bourgogne Côte d’Or classification was created in 2017 in the Burgundy region. This area can produce red and white wines in the 40 villages of Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. This area is allowed only to make Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
This wine was recommended by a trusted friend, Jim Denham of the Wine Steward in Pleasanton, California. I was looking for a “less expensive Puligny-Montrachet” Chardonnay wine and his recommendation was correct.
Winery & Vineyard
Photo from Domaine Jomain
The Jomain family vineyard consists of only 22 acres with portions in and around the famous Puligny-Montrachet region. The winemakers are Philippe and Christophe Jomain. Domaine Jomain makes a variety of Chardonnay wines with various price points.
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While having a full out unbashful love affair with Puligny-Montrachet wines, this wine fell a bit short of classical poetry, but still had an e.e. cummings sense about it. This wine on the eyes was a light-yellow straw color. On the nose, mild floral notes with a hint of vanilla. This is a crisp and clean wine on the palate with minerality coming from the calcareous soil in the area. The finish is a bit abbreviated length and very dry, showing a typical French Chardonnay of noble statue.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A solid and tight wine, but it simply fell short of my expectations of the quality of Puligny-Montrachet. However, to its merit, the price is typically in the $30-40 range. A very good comparison and contrast to our typical California Chardonnay wines.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Chosen this evening to compliment the food pairing of Bok Choy chicken stir fry. Ingredients were cut chicken breasts, bok choy, cornstarch, canola oil, dark sesame oil, cut white onion, ginger root, minced garlic, water and low sodium soy sauce. Served with both white sesame and roasted sesame seeds. Accompanied by Jasmine rice. A very delightful and good food pairing.
Slainte,
Michael