Last Circuit North through Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits
Finding a little difficult to say farewell to the vines, we decided to do one last circuit of degustation in some of the villages. Driving up, we first stopped at Aloxe Corton. The cave was pretty nondescript and so were the wines. Moved right on to Pernand Vergelesses. And from there bade good bye to Cote de Beaune and crossed into Cote de Nuits. I wanted to taste some wines from the Grand Cru region of Echezeaux. That region is in the village of Vougeot.
Pretty valley of Cote de Beaune
Vougeot is a pretty village. As we drove into the village we found out that a marathon was in progress through the village. This is a once in two year marathon race that starts in the town of Marsannay (little south of Dijon) and makes a circuit through the main villages of Cote de Nuits and ends back in Marsannay. Vikram and I walked in and watched the runners. There were some serious runners and then there were some dressed as pirates, Easter bunny, cross-dressers, bumblebee, etc.
Marathon runners in Vougeot
In the village of Vougeot we had our most rude encounter with a man in a caveau for Domaine Pierre LaForest. That ass declared that he will only let us taste wine if we will buy any. We told him that we are here to taste and to buy. Hearing this he let us enter. We looked around and Vikram asked to taste a 2005 Gevrey Chambertin village wine (€30). It was an okay wine, the fruit was not very obvious and the tannins were strong. Not a typical 2005 as we had tasted. That vintage was a superb year with lively fruit and good drinkability. We did not feel like paying €30 for the bottle of village wine. We told the guy thanks and no thanks. He got all bent out of shape and made a fuss that we have to buy a bottle. He was very obnoxious and gestured for us to leave. At this, annoyed with him I left, but Vikram stayed to make a point with him. When Vikram finally came out, I found out that they had a fairly heated discussion. Apparently, the guy said that his wines are good and we don’t know what we are talking about and should buy the bottle. Vikram told him that he will buy if he liked the damn wine. The encounter ended with Vikram putting down €2 to shut the guy up.
Chateau de Vougeot
By then it had started to rain, and we drove out of Vougeot and went to Gevrey Chambertin for lunch and to watch the marathon stragglers. It was around 4:00 PM and finally out Burgundy sojourn was drawing to an end.