….where do you visit? I’ve done wine tasting excursions in WA, CA, etc, but never in France. I’m heading to Burgundy for a few days during an upcoming vacation and would love to enjoy tasting some beautiful wines on the trip. Any suggestions? I’ve read that reservations are recommended, but is that everywhere? Can you have a spontaneous day in the Cote de Nuits or does it need to be meticulously planned? Lastly, if one does need reservations, how do you make them? I found one app called rue des vignerons but it’s a pretty limited number of vintners, and I’ve not heard of most of them - not a diss, just a fact. Would love to try some of the great names, or at least some solid producers (and stock up too!) in addition to the ones I’ve not heard of before.
I recommend to plan it meticulously … otherwise there is risk to get nothing …
E-mail the producers well in advance … and be right on time …
Buying bottles at the better producers without reservations is difficult …
If you are not into luxury and have a car I rec. the Hotel Cote-Rotie in Morey-St-Denis right above Ponsot with view of Clos des Lambrays and Clos St. Denis … nice and calm …
I was there last summer and reservations are a must. There is some flexibility with respect to arriving on time, especially if you are driving your self. Some Domaine’s do not allow visitors others do. My tastings were held at Edouard Delaunay and Chateau De Meusault. I knew very little about the area until I visited.
Have fun…and be sure to check out the small little town in between. I happened to like Tournus
Think about getting a guide. You only have three days and it sounds like your are a bit inexperienced in the ways of winery visits. Bill Nanson would be a good choice, but you might try the Wine and Tourism forum here at WB
Sadly to accomplish this without insider connections, you’d need to time travel about 15-20 years.
Tastings in Burgundy are very different from those in the US; almost no Domaines are set up for visits on a tourism basis. The exceptions are either the big negociant houses (Drouhin, Bouchard, Jadot, Faiveley) or some lesser known Domaines who are looking for business (these are rare). I’ve never been to Jadot or Faiveley, but Drouhin does a nice tour and will let you taste some wine, Bouchard is a nice visit as well. Liger-Belair has built a little restaurant type space next to his Domaine in Vosne, for example (but that’s not a visit).
If you want to visit any of the more well known Domaines, those requests either need to be made by emaill/website considerably in advance or through connections in the industry. You are likely to get barrel tastings or current vintage tastings and maybe a bottle or two of something older if you’re with a larger group. Most won’t sell wine. A guide (like Bill Nanson, as mentioned) can certainly get you into Domaines.