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The November 2026 Auction: Part 1
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Lot 154
Estimate: $275
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Collection name
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Red
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French wine covers a remarkable range of styles, from the structured reds of Bordeaux to the sparkling wines of Champagne, where a second fermentation in the bottle creates the bubbles. Bordeaux is best known for red blends built around Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, but it also makes dry whites and the sweet wines of Sauternes. Burgundy is a benchmark for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with wines that can taste distinctly different from one village to the next. The RhĂ´ne Valley offers a contrast within a single region: Syrah shapes the reds of the north, while Grenache often leads the blends of the south. In the Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc can be dry, sweet or sparkling, while Cabernet Franc is the signature red grape of appellations such as Chinon and Saumur-Champigny. A French wine label often starts with a place name. The Appellation dâOrigine ContrĂ´lĂŠe (AOC) identifies a defined area and sets rules for permitted grapes and production. Learning a few appellation names makes it easier to recognize the styles you enjoy and find related wines from neighboring villages or other producers.
Burgundy, or Bourgogne, is best known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A useful way to explore the region is to follow one grape across several places. Chablis shows Chardonnayâs brisk, citrus and mineral side, while Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet in the CĂ´te de Beaune offer a contrast in texture and richness. In the CĂ´te de Nuits, villages such as Gevrey-Chambertin and Vosne-RomanĂŠe are closely associated with Pinot Noir. Farther south, look to Mercurey in the CĂ´te Chalonnaise for Pinot Noir and to Pouilly-FuissĂŠ in the Mâconnais for Chardonnay. Burgundyâs labels tell you how precisely the wineâs origin is defined. A regional appellation can cover a broad area, while a village wine comes from a more narrowly defined area around a named commune. Premier Cru identifies designated vineyard sites within a village appellation, and Grand Cru sites have appellations of their own. These named vineyard parcels, known as climats, can differ in soil, slope and exposure even when they sit side by side. To get a feel for those differences, compare two villages from the same producer and vintage, or try two producers working in the same vineyard. Both comparisons help show how place and winemaking shape the wine in your glass.
2020 in Burgundy was warm, with an early harvest yielding concentrated yet fresh reds of vivid fruit and fine tannins; the whites retain surprising acidity and balance, forming an excellent, versatile vintage.
