It is said that Burgundy’s great wines belong to both history and legend, as their prestigious reputation precedes them. There are several wineries in Central France’s Burgundy region, some of them centenarian businesses. Most create wines that would astonish any wine lover but, surely, if one were to ask a wine buff, they would tell you that there is no cellar that compares to Maison Joseph Drouhin’s, a company that has been in the hands of the Drouhin family for 130 years.
[more-links]Joseph Drouhin was a daring and enterprising young man who migrated from the Chablis region. In 1880, at the age of 22, he settled in Beaune, where he founded his own company, looking to produce quality wines that bore his name. His son Maurice followed in his footsteps and purchased land in areas including Clos de Mouches and Clos de Vougeot.
Maurice was succeeded by his son Robert, who took over in 1957. The Maison’s current prosperity is largely due to him, as he purchased other vineyards, including in Côte de Nuits and Chablis, where the firm would reach its full potential. In Burgundy, he was one of the first to introduce what the French call l’agriculture raisonnée (sustainable agricultural), ending pesticide abuse and the overuse of chemicals.
Drouhin wines demonstrate a balance of elegance and harmony: when they are young, they offer fruity and seductive aromas, acquiring a distinguished complexity as they age.
Today, Robert Drouhin’s four children share the same passion that inspired the company’s founder. Frédéric oversees general activities, Philippe takes care of the vineyards, Véronique, the winemaker, is in charge of conserving the character of the wines, while Laurent manages sales development in the United States, where he lives. The siblings uphold the values of the Maison Drouhin and its constant search for high-quality wines that satisfy the demands of those who feel a deep appreciation for burgundies.
The Domaine is comprised of vineyards throughout Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise and Chablis. It is one of Burgundy’s largest estates. More than two-thirds of the vineyards are classified as Premier Crus and Grand Crus. With about 90 different varieties, Maison Joseph Drouhin showcases the fascinating range of Burgundy’s terroirs.
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In the Burgundy region, Maison Joseph Drouhin is a pioneer in using a natural and biological approach in the cultivation of its vineyards, showing profound respect for the soil, the vine and the environment.
Drouhin wines demonstrate a balance of elegance and harmony: when they are young, they offer fruity and seductive aromas, acquiring a distinguished complexity as they age.
There is no worthy restaurant in the world that does not carry a Joseph Drouhin, and if I had to choose between the impressive variety of wines they make, I would prefer a Chambertin Grand Cru, a Beaune Premier Cru or a Bourgogne Pinot Noir, a grape that demonstrates the best of Burgundy and the talent and wisdom of a family that loves wine like nobody else does. ■
