The best known part of Burgundy is the Côte de Nuits, around the town of Nuits St. Georges, where we stayed in the IBIS hotel.

The trip had been meticulously prepared by two board members: Jan De Vriendt and Jo Vandendriessche - the former being our main organizer and trip leader. We planned to visit 9 domains or winegrowers and to taste a total of 45 wines. Quite a program indeed!

Our last visit of the trip had an aristocratic taint: we went to the small village of Aloxe-Corton, where young hosts were expecting us at the Château du Comte de Sénard. To Burgundy lovers, this is a name with a high quality ring. We immediately knew why, when we were laid to the vineyard, and heard all these Cru and high Cru names: Clos des Meix, Corton Charlemagne, Clos du Roi.... The vines were well kept (see picture) - 40 years old on average, and we also recognized the brown plastic holders with fermon distibutor. By dispersing fermons, the male insects are completely hyped up and thus become unable to approach the females - hence no breeding of raucous plant eaters can start.

Comte de Sénard - started in 1857 by Philippe with just one vineyard "Les Meix" - is the proud owner of a rare title: the greates Cru-concentration of the whole of Burgundy! When you look at the map to the left, you barely can spot a zone where Sénard is not a major owner!

A definite asset is also the castle, small but beautiful, with two major rooms: a "table d'hôte" or classical dinner room, and a wel laid out shop.

We came here with a twofold purpose: to have lunch and to taste. On the programme figured 6 wines, all of them Crus - three whites, among which the famous and unique Corton Charlemagne - and three reds, with the Clos du Roi as final offering. The menu was opulent: pastry "en croûte" with salads, cocq au vin with grated potatoes in gruyère sauce, a selection of three burgundy cheeses (see names to the left) and coffee.

Not an easy job! Hungry people want to eat, even if they are supposed to first taste a wine and then test it out on the food, many of them just do the latter! Nevertheless, some urgent messages were sent out by the organizer and the president, and we still got worthy comments and scores. The specialty here was the combination of three wines with one plate, which allowed us to look for the "best fit". Generally, the Grand Crus provided that to a high degree.

In the end, this was aristocracy coupled with ingenuity and hospitality. Our two young sommeliers - Karen and François - just gave brief comments, and quickly noticed that we were able to comment and judge for ourselves.

Curious as to the tasting notes? Look here:
 

Score-syste(e)m:

C=   Foutief, faulty
B=   Gewoon goed, reasonably good
B+= Grenzend aan zeer goed, close to very good
A=   Heel goed, grote kwaliteit; very good, high quality
A+= Grenzend aan Uitstekend; close to excellent
AA= Uitstekend; excellent
AAA= Absolute top

PS: Wijnen die op proefmoment beschikbaar waren, kunnen uitgeput zijn / Wines that were available at moment of tasting, can be depleted
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