Circle member Markus Hungerbühler has become a Chevalier de la Confrérie de Tastevin, part of an exclusive fraternity in Burgundy. He was introduced to the Confrèrie des Chevaliers du Tastevin by fellow members and Chevaliers Vivienne Franks and Sue Eames. He shares some of his thoughts on the region:
“A few years ago, I was able to visit Burgundy with the importer of Joseph Drouhin wines. We visited the winery in Beaune and the vineyards. A very committed older man showed us around the vineyards. He explained the different terroirs and their characteristics. At the end of the visit, he said with great knowledge and enthusiasm: “Burgundy is not a factory! There are no winemakers in Burgundy!”
“I only understood this statement later. I read about wine law in France and about appellations in France and Burgundy in particular. This wine law in Burgundy is an expression of the fact that each vineyard produces a wine with its own particular characteristics. This is why there is a system of regional appellations, communal appellations, premiers crus and grands crus. And it is the vine that produces the wine, not the man. This is why there is no winemaker in Burgundy.”
Congratulations Markus!