Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire Le Sang rouge de la Terre Bernard Van Berg 2004

Renowned Belgian photographer and wine enthusiast Bernard Van Berg changed the course of his life in the early 2000s, settling in Meursault with his wife Judith to devote himself to winemaking. There, he took over a two-hectare vineyard planted with Chardonnay, Aligoté, Pinot Noir and Gamay, including vines dating back to 1950. The vineyard has been farmed organically, certified since 2008, without fertilisers or plant protection products. The vines are tended like a small garden, with the soils ploughed by horse. Naturally, yields are extremely low. The same natural approach continues in the winery, where there is no destemming, no added yeasts or enriching, and sulphur additions are kept to an absolute minimum. The wines are aged in new casks.

Before being a winemaking estate, this vineyard is a concept. First the winemaker aims to produce haute couture terroir wines. To this end, he carefully applies traditional viticulture methods. Naturally oriented towards organic methods, the estate meticulously controls its yields to prioritise quality over quantity. Every stage in the winemaking process is performed by hand, both in the winery and in the vineyard, allowing the terroir to express its full array of aromas. Each vine, pampered as if it were a treasure, is then harvested at peak ripeness. The cuvée is a blend of the estate’s different Pinot Noir plots, aged for 18 months in new oak casks. The ruddy colour reveals a fresh, vegetal bouquet with delicious notes of fruit. The perfectly structured palate reveals fine tannins leading to a light and flavoursome finish.