Domaine Menand

Mercurey, to the south of Beaune, is the most important appellation in Burgundy's Côte Chalonnaise. Growing the same grape varieties as in the famous Côte d'Or - Pinot Noir for red and Chardonnay for white - it constitutes one of the finest wine-growing areas of Burgundy, yet few people have ever heard of it. Unlike the Côte d'Or, where the geological fault line producing the famous escarpment is regular, the fault lines in the Côte Chalonnaise run in different directions, and, driving through the region - it is only 25km long and 7km wide - you will notice how the vines are interspersed with other crops.

When we first discovered the Côte Chalonnaise more than 15 years ago, it was our search for good red burgundy at sensible prices that led us here - we were following Hugh Johnson's advice that "both the red and white growths of the Côte Chalonnaise can be good value for money". It is even truer today than it was then. However, we fell in love not only with its wines, but also with its friendly, down-to-earth people, and it remains one of our favourite areas. We have made many friends here, and the wines are still, amazingly, great value for money.

It was our old friend Jean-Claude Cogny, former owner of the Michelin-starred Hôtellerie du Val d'Or in Mercurey who first suggested we visit Philippe and Fabienne Menand, whose domaine is just a short walk from the hotel. We have many things to thank Jean-Claude Cogny for - and Domaine Menand is top of the list.