In Dijon, a 94-year-old Burgundy winemaker still arrives at the estate every morning. This almost ordinary gesture has, however, just been thrown into the spotlight of a brand new classification signed by the Michelin Guide, which now attacks wine directly.
At the Palais des Ducs, on July 7, the first Michelin Cluster ceremony crowned 62 Burgundian estates, with one to three clusters. At the top, a figure: Lalou Bize-Leroy, whose Domaine Leroy won the supreme distinction, and became the symbol of this world first.
Michelin clusters in Burgundy: a new language for wine
The idea was announced at the star ceremony in Monaco. , declared Gwendal Poullennec, quoted by the . One, two or three clusters, and the simple mention for certain producers: a code thought of as the equivalent of stars for restaurants.
The Guide claims. , explains the Michelin Guide, cited by France 3. For this first selection, 9 areas obtain three clusters, 20 obtain two and 33 only one.
Lalou Bize-Leroy, 94 years old, still on duty every morning
Pioneer of biodynamics, former co-manager of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Lalou Bize-Leroy sees her Domaine Leroy crowned at the top. She reacts with intact modesty: , confided Lalou Bize-Leroy to France 3.
Faced with this legend, Gwendal Poullennec insists on the uniqueness of the region. , he explains. And to summarize: , carried by winegrowers who .
A tight method, Burgundian estates powered by the Grappes
The inspectors are based on five axes. The agronomic aspect looks at the , and the . In the cellar, they look for practices. Identity aims at . Balance is concerned with. Finally, consistency measures . details Lauriane Villate in the .
At Domaine Arnaud Ente, in Meursault, two clusters validate long work. , confides Arnaud Ente to France 3, seeing there with his son Pierre. For him, this distinction. His son is already planning: , slips Pierre Ente, also hoping. In this logic, Gwendal Poullennec speaks of a global project: . Objective stated: that .
What are Michelin Clusters?
The Michelin Clusters distinguish from one to three clusters the wine estates visited and selected by the Michelin Guide.
How are Clusters allocated?
Inspectors employed by the Guide visit the estates, taste the wines and evaluate them according to five set criteria.
What is the difference with Michelin stars?
The stars judge the restaurants, the keys the hotels, while the Clusters concern only the wine estates.
Sources
- Beauty Test
“This new classification from the Michelin guide for wine makes these Burgundy and Bordeaux estates tremble”
