Banville & Jones’s newsletter is all grown up! Published three times per year (October, February and June), The Cellar Door caters to the wine lifestyle that our customers come to expect when they walk through our doors. With regional themes, travel articles, interviews, food and wine pairing, product reviews, and much more, The Cellar Door brings you the stories behind your favourite labels.

Like that unparalleled adventure that comes with each glass of wine, The Cellar Door offers you a great new experience each time you pick it up. Enjoy the magazine and be sure the give us feedback – Banville & Jones Wine Co., along with Poise Publications Inc., has produced this magazine for you, so that we may all come closer in sharing the great life that comes with wine. Cheers!

Issue 6: The Wines of Burgundy

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Our June issue explores the historically rich wine region of Burgundy, France. For many wine lovers, the wines of Burgundy express the intricacies of its region like no other. The wines of Burgundy are as complex as the landscape; each expressing the small parcel of land in which its grapes are cultivated. The soul of Burgundy’s soils, the expression of its terroir, and its viticultural heritage sing in every bottle

Burgundy’s wine heritage dates back to the early 10th century, when Benedictine and Cistercian monks first set down the vines of the region. Centuries of meticulous recordkeeping led not only to the discovery that Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes were the perfect match for the cool-climate and unique soils, but also to an intricate knowledge of exactly which parcels of land produced the pinnacle of quality. This historical record has led to a detailed appellation system that represents four levels of quality: Burgundy Red and White, Village, Premier Cru, and Grand Cru—the height of Burgundy’s offerings.

The effect of Napoleonic Code of inheritance in the region, which stipulated that all children divide the assets of a deceased parent equally, is that it is not uncommon for a vigneron in Burgundy to own just a few rows of vines. It is also not unusual—in fact, over the last 30 years, it has become the emerging norm—for Burgundian vignerons to grow, bottle and market their own wines. In an industry that is increasingly controlled by large corporations, the connection of vignerons to their parcel land and to their final product has preserved the integrity of the region and the soul of some of the world’s most interesting wines.

In this sixth issue of The Cellar Door, we explore the food, wine and appellations of Burgundy. Sylvia Jansen invites us along on a food tour of Burgundy, and gives us a peek into the scandals of Burgundian wine business. Mike Muirhead compares the exquisite Pinot Noir grape to a junior high crush, and always the king of analogy, gives everyone a lesson on Burgundian appellations that hits close to home. Saralyn Mehta introduces the fascinating world of biodynamic practices with her discerning eye and quick wit. We are also excited to share Gary Hewitt’s interview with Clive Coates, author and noted Burgundy wine authority, who speaks to the lasting relevance of Burgundy.