Burgundy report vintage 2020
It's a brave new year...
Approaching the 20th year of Burgundy Report: By Bill Nanson
On the positive side, for me and followers of the Burgundy Report website, the 2020 wines in the wineries are being strongly talked-up by their makers - what's new I hear you say! - and the 2019s that are largely now bottled are demonstrably impressive - they are so-much easier to broadly recommend versus the highly inconsistent 2018s.
The producers are, more-or-less, financially affected by the global pandemic depending on their typical route to market - those wedded to supplying the restaurant trade are, naturally, struggling - others, for instance the more sought-after producers, have no such worries.
After a very short vintage for Côte d'Or pinot in 2020 there's definitely no easing of the bulk pricing for wine from here, though outside of contracts, the prices of Petit Chablis and Chablis are sinking - Chablis is relatively low volume so it goes up and down the fastest - but don't expect early bargains around the corner!
Everyone needs the markets and the tourist-routes to reopen as quickly as possible - me too - I didn't make a single accompanied tour last year due to covid-restrictions. I look forward to welcoming you all on a tour in 2021, but I hardly expect any of that before September - and that's if we are lucky!
Whatever happens in the coming months, I'm still planning to enjoy a lot of burgundy wine - hopefully you will too.
Cheers & my thanks - Bill Nanson
