The “Weirdest” Wine from Pommard: A Premier Cru Burgundy Mystery
Is Pommard Burgundy always rustic and tannic, or can it be the “magical” experience every collector chases? In this video, John Alanis (Certified Sommelier) dives deep into the Burgundy wine region to demystify one of the most complex Old World wine regions on the planet.
We’re opening a bottle of 2017 Domaine de Courcel Pommard Les Fremiers (Premier Cru). While Burgundy (also known as Bourgogne) is famous for its elegant Pinot Noir, this specific bottle from the Côte de Beaune takes a very strange turn.
In this wine education deep dive, you’ll learn:
Why Pinot Noir is the “mind-activating” grape of French wine.
The difference between the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune.
Why you should never start your Burgundy wine journey with a $1,000 bottle.
A “Whole Bottle Review” that tracks the evolution of flavors from Jolly Ranchers to… charred leather and wet dirt?
Whether you are a wine for beginners enthusiast or a seasoned sommelier, this review explores why Pommard can sometimes be mistaken for a Barolo and why this was the weirdest wine John has ever drank.
Video Chapters:
0:00 – The Magic and Frustration of Burgundy
1:45 – The $25,000 Secret: Why Burgundy is Expensive
2:13 – What is Red Burgundy? (The Pinot Noir Profile)
3:21 – The Secret to the Nose vs. The Palate
3:50 – Why the Proper Burgundy Glass Matters
4:51 – Geography: Côte de Nuits vs. Côte de Beaune
5:29 – Understanding Pommard AOC & Premier Cru
6:36 – Advice for Beginners: How to Buy Burgundy
7:48 – Uncorking the 2017 Domaine de Courcel
9:11 – Initial Tasting: “Red Jolly Ranchers”
12:40 – The Whole Bottle Review: Why It Got Weird
15:05 – The “Dirt” vs. “Earth” Debate
18:40 – Final Score: Would a Sommelier Buy This Again?