2019 Terres de Velle Bourgogne Pinot Noir

LUSH's Montrachet March continues with a wine selection that bridges the old with the new, the traditional with the contemporary - a wine that comes to us from a Burgundy domaine that is new, a rare occurrence in this storied winemaking region. Burgundian husband and wife duo Sophie and Fabrice Laronze were not from winemaking families (which is frequently how winemakers gain entry into Burgundy's wine production), but encountered a dilapidated domaine in Auxey-Duresses that showed potential for producing high quality wines. The couple bought the six-hectare vineyard (which came with 40-to-60-year-old vines) and winery, leading to the full- blown production of Domaine des Terres de Velle in 2009. Now, those six hectares cover 14 appellations across 25 different plots, leading to the production of around 35,000 bottles a year - including this. Wednesday's Word on Wine, the 2019 Terres de Velle Bourgogne Pinot Noir. Hand-picked grapes, traditional Burgundian naturally occurring malolactic fermentation, 12-15 months of sitting in barrels, and unfiltered bottling all lead to this fresh and delicate pinot noir. The 2019 Terres de Velle Bourgogne Pinot Noir's true red fruits and structured mouth are the perfect pairing for LUSH's Grilled Coulotte Steak Frites, Cassoulet, or signature LUSH Burger. The rich meats and fatty nuts on a LUSH charcuterie board also make for the perfect marriage with this wine; which is an accessible choice for dinner parties or other occasions that feature fatty or saucy meats. Pinot noir is one of the most globally popular varieties, but it is most strongly associated with Burgundy despite its unclear origins. For those hoping to dive deeper into the region's storied grape, the 2019 Terres de Velle Bourgogne Pinot Noir is certainly worthy of serving as their guide.