Domaine du Pavillon Albert Bichot
Discovering “Albert Bichot Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes de Pinot Noir” from Burgundy at Spec’s Wines
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By Virginia Billeaud Anderson
ver the years, I’ve had opportunities to toss back wine in other countries. It’s hard to imagine anything that’s more fun, and I’m looking forward to doing more of that. One day for instance, I want to travel in the Mendoza to taste Argentinian Malbecs. It’s also fun to experiment when I’m stuck in Houston. I select a wine-making region, then go shopping for a great-tasting but inexpensive bottle from that region. Part of the fun is to do a tiny bit of research into the wine’s origin, which I personally enjoy as much as knocking it back. For this reason, I strolled into Spec’s Wines in downtown Houston recently and told the sales assistant I wanted to see inexpensive reds from Burgundy.
Photos by Flore Deronzier 12 | Intown | January + February 2022
“What’s inexpensive?” Under $20 When the guy suggested a Burgundy Pinot Noir, I hesitated, because Pinot Noir sometimes lacks the full-bodied taste I enjoy. “Not this one,” he said, as he wrenched a bottle of “Albert Bichot Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes de Pinot Noir” from the shelf. The instant I tasted the Pinot, I knew I had scored. Full-bodied taste kicked my mouth, while the wine was smooth going down. I was drinking an elegant wine that was
surprisingly inexpensive. I began my research by checking out the words on the bottle’s label. “Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes de Pinot Noir” revealed a couple of things. “Bourgogne” means the grape vines are grown in Burgundy France. The label lacks a “village” name, which indicates the wine producer purchases grapes from multiple villages in Burgundy. Lacking the premier cru or grand cru or village designation, the label tells me the wine is “regional.” Two words on the label helped me know more. “Vieilles Vignes” translates
