The 2016 Boulder Burgundy Festival takes place on the weekend of October 20 – 23, 2016, and will include a variety of wine events dispersed throughout the Boulder area. Every year, the festival culminates with a grand tasting organized by Master Sommelier, Brett Zimmerman of Boulder Wine Merchant. The organizers of the festival, which is now entering its sixth year, have worked from the event’s inception to create a friendly, non-intimidating atmosphere that caters equally to both wine novices and experienced tasters. No matter your experience, you’re sure to learn something new about your favorite libation. Here’s what you can expect from Boulder’s premier wine appreciation event:
Two Very Special Guests
This year’s Boulder Burgundy Festival is shaping up to be a can’t miss event thanks to two highly respected figures from the wine world gracing Boulder with their presence.
Master of Wine, Jancis Robinson, is a member of the wine committee for the Queen of England (known as the Royal Household Wine Committee), and one of the most renowned wine writers in the world. She will serve as the keynote speaker for this year’s event, giving Boulder residents an insider’s look into her remarkable wealth of knowledge on the topic of wine. Robinson is a wine critic for the Financial Times, editor of the landmark Oxford Companion to Wine and Wine Grapes, editor of Purple Pages, and now, an honorary member of the Boulder wine community.
Joining Mrs. Robinson will be Étienne de Montille, owner of the world-renowned French vineyard, Domaine de Montille. De Montille will host two seminars over the weekend, and will join event goers for dinner and several wine tastings. Wine from his family’s own vineyard will feature in some of the tastings.
The Events
This year’s festival will feature eight events that run the gamut from recreational to educational, and are sure to offer something for wine lovers of all backgrounds. If you have the time, we suggest attending all eight events, but if you have to choose, we recommend the following four:
Champagne Kickoff Party at the Kitchen Upstairs
When: Thursday, October 20, 2016
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: The Kitchen Upstairs
Tickets: $75 per ticket (60 tickets available)
The 2016 Boulder Burgundy Festival will kick off with a champagne party at The Kitchen Upstairs on Pearl Street in Downtown Boulder, melding the quintessential Boulder locale with wine culture. Champagne labels that will be featured include Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, Krug, and Dom Ruinart.
Meet your fellow wine enthusiasts, with whom you’ll share the weekend, in a laid back atmosphere. Live music will also be played for your enjoyment.
Etienne de Montille Dinner at Frasca Food and Wine
When: Saturday, October 22, 2016
6:00 pm
Where: Frasca Food and Wine
Tickets: $395 per person, all-inclusive (67 seats available)
Etienne de Montille of Domaine de Montille takes over Saturday night with a dinner that promises to be the cornerstone of the festival. The chefs of Frasca Food and Wine will prepare their usual world-class fare to match the tantalizing wine list you see below. Master of Wine, Jancis Robinson, will also be in attendance for this event.
Wines:
- Val de Mer Brut Nature Rosé
- 2013 Domaine de Montille, Meursault Perrières 1er
- 2001 Domaine de Montille, Puligny Montrachet Les Cailleret 1er (magnum)
- 2006 Domaine de Montille, Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru (magnum)
- 2005 Domaine de Montille, Beaune Grèves 1er
- 2002 Domaine de Montille, Volnay Taillepieds 1er
- 1999 Domaine de Montille, Pommard Rugiens 1er
Seminar: “To stem or not to stem”
When: Sunday, October 23, 2016
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Where: St Julien Hotel
Tickets: $150 per person (65 tickets available)
The second event to be held on Sunday will feature a conversation between Etienne de Montille and Jancis Robinson on the winemaking techniques used in Burgundy. More specifically, they will discuss the wines of Domaine de Montille. Wines to be featured in the seminar include:
- 2014 Domaine de Montille, Nuits Saint Georges Les Saint Juliens 1er
- 2010 Domaine de Montille, Nuits Saint Georges Les Saint Juliens 1er
- 2008 Domaine de Montille, Beaune Les Perrière 1er
- 2008 Domaine de Montille, Beaune Les Grèves 1er
- 2011 Domaine de Montille, Volnay Mitans 1er (Magnum)
- 1999 Domaine de Montille, Volnay Mitans 1er
- 2005 Domaine de Montille, Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru
- 2009 Domaine de Montille, Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru
Grand Tasting
When: Sunday, October 23, 2016
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Where: St Julien Hotel
Tickets: $85 per person (200 tickets available)
The Grand Tasting is the culmination of this year’s festival, and will feature more than 200 unique wines from Burgundy. A full spectrum of vino will be on display, and will include everything from village wines to Grand Crus (top growths). Everyone can find a wine to enjoy as the 2016 Boulder Burgundy Festival winds down.
Proceeds from this event will benefit several non-profit organizations, including the Guild of Sommeliers, There with Care, the Davis Phinney Foundation, the Family Learning Center, and the Growe Foundation.
If you’re traveling to the festival from out of town, please consider staying the weekend so that driving will not be an issue. The St Julien Hotel & Spa will, as always, be offering premium accommodations to festival attendees. You can find more information about this on the Burgundy Festival’s website.
The weekend is shaping up to be a great experience for wine lovers of all kinds. Be sure to reserve tickets for the event soon as they will sell out fast.
We (I’m on the board of the Burgundy Festival) have worked hard to make this year special and would love to share the event with you. If you do attend, be sure to look for me and say hello. I look forward to seeing you!