A search for inferior Burgundy

Wines & Vines, Feb, 2002

A collection of Burgundy trade groups has announced a drive to seek out inferior wines from Burgundy and apply pressure on the producers to improve their wines or lose the Burgundy AOC status.

The move is in response to criticism in the past few years of poor quality of some Burgundies and also reflects concern within Burgundy over market gains by New World producers.

The campaign has earned more than $500,000 to purchase 3,000 to 4,000 bottles of Burgundy at shops in America, Europe and Asia. The wines will then be shipped back to Burgundy for tasting. If the wine comes up short, the producer will be asked to withdraw it from the market. That producer's wines will then be checked the following year. If a producer's wines are judged inferior for three years in a row, it will be recommended that the Burgundy AOC be withdrawn.