Bouchard Pere & Fils

In 1731, Joseph Bouchard acquired an estate in Volnay and a house in Beaune. The vineyards located in Volnay included among others some areas of vine which are still famous today, such as Les Caillerets, Les Chanlins and Les Taillepieds. The House started to expand seriously under the ownership of Joseph Bouchard’s son, Antoine Philibert Bouchard, known as "le Centenaire" (the Centenarian) (1759-1860).

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Throughout the twentieth 20th century, the Bouchards concentrated mainly on looking after their estate rather than expanding it. Though the House of Bouchard Père & Fils, like the rest of France, was faced with the twentieth 20th century dramas (the First World War, the 1930s crisis, the Second World War), they have continued to use the same wine making techniques that have been used by nine generations of the family.

The Soil Types

As far as vineyards are concerned, the notion of Burgundy usually refers to the 4 great "Côtes" which extend from Dijon to Mâcon : the Côte de Nuits, the Côte de Beaune (which together form the Côte d'Or), the Côte Chalonnaise and the Côte Mâconnaise. Within these 4 vine growing areas, Bouchard Père & Fils has a unique collection of prestigious "appellations" capable of suiting all tastes (130 hectares in the heart of the Côte d'Or and at Bouzeron).

In Burgundy, the exposure of the vineyards and the geological characteristics play a prime role in the cultivation of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties. In general, the sub-soil is not very deep and one soon reaches rock which is only just under the surface at the top of the Côte d'Or, preventing any vegetation from growing. The roots of the vine have to grow deep down to seek nourishment for the plant, which is beneficial. The more difficult it is for the vine find its food, the better the grapes, for they are more concentrated, better flavoured and more resistant to disease.

The Vineyards

Tending the vineyards and making Great Wines are the result of painstaking, daily work, together with experience and unique savoir-faire passed on from generation to generation, from father to son since 1731.

All year round, vine workers and piece workers tend the 130 hectares of the Bouchard Père & Fils estate under the watchful eye of Christophe Bouchard, technical director. A strict programme, drawn up according to the growing cycle of the vine, dictates the growers' work, from the awakening of the vines after the winter, to the harvesting of the grapes in September.

Uprooting, planting, grafting, pruning, de-budding, pricking out. Finding the right balance between human intervention and the biological cycle of the vine is essential to enable each "terroir" to reveal its particular characteristics. Then September brings the grape harvest. The grapes are always hand picked and carried in small cases of 12 kilos to avoid squashing the bunches. On arrival at the vats, the grapes are sorted to eliminate any undesirable matter (diseased grapes, leaves).

BOUCHARD PERE & FILS - Bou Le Corton Grand Cru 1998

Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir.
Tasting Notes: Intense bouquet with aromas of fruit and spice. Rich and structured on the palate, this wine needs a bit of patience in order to reveal its raciness and great distinction. Excellent ageing potential.
Food Matching: Venison, wild boar, marinated red meat, full-bodied cheeses.

On Special Offer - Was £42.47 - Now £37.06

BOUCHARD PERE & FILS - Gevrey Chambertin 2006

Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes: Deep and intense on the nose. This wine is the result of the perfect marriage between grace and liveliness, strength and finesse. Length of exceptional quality on the finish.
Food Matching: Game, venison and full-flavoured cheeses.

On Special Offer - Was £24.89 - Now £21.66

BOUCHARD PERE & FILS - Meursault 2005

Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir.
Tasting Notes: Very aromatic nose, with fruit and floral notes. Just as perfumed on the palate, this wine expresses its richness and fullness without the slightest heaviness.
Food Matching: Creamed fish - Poultry in cream sauce.

On Special Offer - Was £19.74 - Now £17.22

BOUCHARD PERE & FILS - Montagny 1er Cru 2006

Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes: Delicate aromas of fruit and honey. Lively and aromatic on the palate, this wine reveals an appealing personality.
Food Matching: Seafood (including lobster, crab, etc.) and freshwater fish in cream sauce.

On Special Offer - Was £14.89 - Now £12.99

BOUCHARD PERE & FILS - Nuits St Georges 2006

Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir.
Tasting Notes: Intense notes of black berry fruit blended with oaky touches and delicately spiced. Full and fleshy on the palate, the structure of this wine is based on elegant tannins.
Food Matching: Game, venison and meat dishes in sauce.

On Special Offer - Was £24.81 - Now £21.65

BOUCHARD PERE & FILS - Pouilly Fuisse 2007

Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes: Typical aromas, with fruit and floral notes. A very perfumed, silky and elegant wine.
Food Matching: Freshwater fish, shellfish of all kinds and pates and terrines.

On Special Offer - Was £16.09 - Now £13.99