INSIDER'S PICK: 2022 J-P BRUN/TERRES DOREES BEAUJOLAIS BLANC $24.99

Beaujolais and Burgundy may seem worlds apart to most people, but in fact they are quite connected, both geographically and historically. The city of Macon and the Maconnaise region itself sit at the southernmost end of Burgundy, and just meters away at either the crest of one hillside or the foot of another (some of the dividing lines seem to overlap a bit) Beaujolais begins, and as you travel South towards Lyon the geology transforms dramatically. Many map producers are as likely to add Beaujolais when showing Burgundy as they are Chablis which is about 100km from Dijon as the next nearest point in the appellation. Burgundy of course has made its bones on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and Beaujolais is wholly committed to the Gamay grape, but in these overlaps there are areas where some grapes wash back and forth. Gamay makes some appearances still in Burgundy and can be blended with Pinot Noir to make a 'Passetoutgrain', and Chardonnay drifts down in pockets to make the occasional Beaujolais Blanc. Often they can be no more than the token white wine a house may offer before they taste you on their multiple Cru Beauj, but in the hands of an outstanding producer like Terres Dorees you have a very nice and well priced White Burgundy-in quality, if not actually by name. Bright lemon and minerally white fruits on the nose with lots of clarity and freshness from being aged in concrete vats versus any sort of oak. You catch a little bit of malolactic fermentation on the palate, but just enough to round out the edges of the vibrant fruit and minerality, as well as a slight hint of creaminess from the lees aging at the finish. A great warm weather white that does fantastic with a chill without losing any character or complexity, perfect with lighter fish or fresh salads.  ​

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