I write this with a glass of Domaine de Montille Bourgogne Blanc in hand. I contemplated titling this article “Bourgogne on a Budget,” but I quickly realized that I paid $50 USD retail for this bottle. Relatively speaking, this bottle is a great value in Burgundy today. Years ago, not so much. Bottles of Bourgogne at this price point existed, but they were somewhat rarified air. Only a handful of producers could command that for their entry-level bottling.

Finally, there is a little bit of magic, or for the realists, hope. Hope in a wine, as I mentioned before, means that it has potential, that there is something special about it that will unwind positively over time, making it even better than the day it was bottled. Sometimes these bottles live up to their youthful promises in a way that is haunting, almost mystical.

One must rent a car or have a driver to truly appreciate Burgundy. Trains can get you in and out of the major cities, but part of the charm of Burgundy lies in some of its dusty corners. One such place is Chablis, a place of charm and majesty, and I might I add, delicious wines.