When one thinks of the villages that produce superb Burgundy wines, Vosne-Romanée and Gevrey-Chambertin are the first to come to mind. Villages play a huge role in Burgundy wines, with their names often serving as the wine’s names. However, the fact that there are superb wine producers even in lesser-known villages is a part of Burgundy’s appeal. One of these is Tollot-Beaut of Chorey-lès-Beaune. Although the village is an appellation, it has no grand cru or premier cru vineyards. But however inconspicuous it may be, Tollot-Beaut has a significant presence in Burgundy.

The domaine’s history can be traced back to the late 19th century. By 1921 it had already begun bottling wines. Back then it was managed by Alexandre Tollot and his wife Aurélie Beaut, hence the name Tollot-Beaut. Until the mid 1990s the domain was operated by Alexandre’s three children Jack, Alain, and François, but today the winemaking is handled by their children Jean-Paul, Olivier, and Nathalie, the latter of whom came to Japan recently to speak of the wonders of Burgundy.

The charm of Burgundy, Nathalie said, lies in its colorful terroir. Although vineyards are given ranks such as grand cru and premier cru, even regions with no such ranked vineyards can produce highly distinctive wines. Another wonderful aspect is that the wines incorporate the individuality of their makers. This variety of personalities is the true appeal of Burgundy wine.

The domaine also produces Corton-Charlemagne and other wines, but the one that truly conveys its charms is surely the Chorey-lès-Beaune village wine. Its flavor reveals the stylish and meticulous craft through which it is produced. Tollot-Beaut has earned the solid trust of wine experts, especially sommeliers, and is considered a producer that every restaurant wants on its list. Even for beginners, it’s an excellent choice as a casual wine. Anyone can instantly sense the uncompromisingly robust winemaking style of Tollot-Beaut.

(Text: Kimiko Anzai)

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