Becky Wasserman started her négociant and export business in 1979 with the intention of bringing the relatively unknown delights of Burgundy to the United States. Although she exports and produces Grand Cru and Premier Cru bottlings of the now-famous region, she has a passion for introducing the lesser-known wines of character, quality and value to the American public. To experience one of her wines is, more-often-than-not, to experience a gem of the Côte d’Or, personally excavated by Becky. In an interview with Jay McInerney, Becky explained her passion that encapsulates the treasured region with accurate simplicity, “It's always the small things that have intrigued us the most. The handmade, the artisanal. That's really what Burgundy is about. Today’s Bourgogne Blanc was finished, corked and bottled for Domaine Simon Bize, but labeled under Becky Wasserman’s label for the American market.
The Bize family arrived in Burgundy in the early 1800’s and purchased their first vines in Savigny-lès-Beaune back in 1868. A respected name in Burgundy, Domaine Simon Bize soared to even greater heights when Patrick took the reigns from his father, Simon. Sadly, Patrick passed away in 2013, but his legacy has cemented a domaine that is celebrated among his peers and sommeliers alike. This special Bourgogne Blanc, crafted by Patrick himself, was derived from the single Les Champlains lieu-dit vineyard. The 20+ year-old vines are rooted in rocky soils and abundant clay on an eastern-facing slope. The astutely crafted wine from this unique parcel enjoys higher elevation, ideal aspect and is harvested two weeks later than most, which results in higher acidity, ample texture and concentration as well as the bones to age like a Chardonnay well above its price point.
This 2007 Bourgogne Blanc has a concentrated golden yellow core, reminiscent of a white burgundy with a decade or more of age. The nose offers a mesmerizing bouquet of classic aromas including dried yellow apple, dried pear, preserved lemon, beeswax, honey, dehydrated mushrooms, stirred lees and slight oyster shell and limestone minerality. The medium-bodied palate delivers more fresh citrus notes along with slightly oxidative flavors that reveal the wine’s beautiful age. Flavors of lemon zest, lime blossom and cream are layered, lively and reveal a finish that boasts a hint of oyster shell and limestone minerality. This wine does not need to be decanted. Simply serve at 50-55 degrees in Burgundy stems. The wine will evolve after 30 minutes in the glass and should sing alongside any dish with wild mushrooms, which are in season at the moment. Find local varieties of chanterelle, porcini or morel mushrooms and sauté them with
Julia Child’s signature recipe over roast chicken or white fish and cream sauce. I guarantee the combination will make for an incredible evening.