Burgundy (Bourgogne) is a holy grail for wine geeks: a region impossible to master, impenetrable to the casual observer, and endlessly fascinating.
A simple premise—red Burgundy is generally Pinot Noir and white Burgundy is generally Chardonnay—belies a maze of appellations, fractured vineyards, scores of variable producers, and erratic vintage swings. Just getting the right information can be a chore: the vignerons (winegrowers) of Burgundy are an insular lot who will not readily impart their wisdom and experience to outsiders, and even they are rarely experts beyond the walls of their own domaines or the confines of their own communes. For all students of Burgundy, it’s important to keep in mind that understanding this region is a lifelong pursuit. Burgundy’s modern vineyards and wines are products of 2,000 years of winemaking history. Yet while Burgundy can be a sensual pleasure unlike any other, it can also be an expensive disappointment. Despite, or perhaps because of, the region's mercurial nature, the wines of Burgundy enliven the imaginations of sommeliers and connoisseurs worldwide, and show great versatility at the table.
Winemaking in Burgundy is not a new phenomenon. Archaeological evidence of production dates back to the late first century CE, following the Roman conquest of Gaul. The first Burgundians—Germanic barbarian tribesmen—arrived in the fifth century as the Western Roman Empire was crumbling, and they embraced viticulture. But Europe plunged into dark ages after the fall of Rome, and the Catholic Church rose as a powerful political force, becoming a shepherd of culture, and viticulture, in such difficult times. The Benedictine
In the expert quiz... there's a question about 1er crus within Volnay Santenots. It asks which vineyard is not entitled to premier cru within Volnay Santenots, and gives the four vineyards in Meursault that can be labelled as Volnay Santenots. Based on my reading, I think all four are premier cru. Les Santenots Dessous is definitely not premier cru for Meursault blanc, but as far as I can tell it is premier cru for Volnay Santenots Rouge (although several authors, including Jasper Morris, seem to think this is perhaps not justified)... Or am I missing something?
Thanks for keeping us on our toes! I've clarified the question. Les Santenots Dessous does not have premier cru status in Meursault, where it is technically located, however, red wines from this climat are entitled to Volnay premier cru status.