# Beaune-Grèves Premier Cru (2020)

- **Producer:** Domaine Génot-Boulanger
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €85
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black plum, red plum, red cherry, black cherry, vanilla, cedar, cloves, mushroom, leather, forest floor, earth

## About this wine

The Beaune-Grèves Premier Cru from Domaine Génot-Boulanger is a Pinot Noir from the esteemed Beaune Premier Cru appellation in Burgundy. The 'Les Grèves' vineyard, meaning 'stony,' is characterized by its gravelly, sandy, and clay-limestone soils, with vines planted in the mid-slope of Beaune. Domaine Génot-Boulanger, a family estate now in its fourth generation, is managed by Aude and Guillaume Lavollée, who are committed to respecting Burgundy's terroirs and employ organic and biodynamic farming methods. The 2020 vintage was marked by an early harvest, resulting in balanced grapes.

## Interesting facts

- 'Les Grèves' translates to 'stony' in old French, referencing the vineyard's soil.
- Vines in the Génot-Boulanger parcel were planted in the 1960s and 1980s.
- The domaine utilizes horse-plowing in its vineyards.
- The 2020 vintage saw an early harvest starting in late August.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium+ to high acidity and firm tannins are well-suited to complement the richness of meats and proteins, cutting through fat and cleansing the palate. Earthy notes in the wine can harmonize with mushroom dishes or herbs like rosemary.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for this Beaune-Grèves Premier Cru involves de-stemming the Pinot Noir grapes before fermentation, which is carried out using natural yeasts. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes aging in oak barrels for a period of 12 to 18 months. During this aging process, a varying percentage of new oak is utilized, contributing to the wine's structure and flavor profile. The domaine actively practices organic and biodynamic farming, including the use of horse-plowing, reflecting a commitment to sustainable viticulture.