Maison Joseph Drouhin Vero Bourgogne Pinot Noir, 2006

"Vero" conjures up images of a beach in Florida, but on this wine label, it's short for Veronique Drouhin-Boss who personally selected the vineyards from Maison Joseph Drouhin (in France, not Oregon) to create what she considers a classic red Burgundy. What she was seeking was the elegance of Volnay, the subtle aromas of Hautes Cotes du Beaune, the red berry flavors of Chorey-les-Beaune and Rully, and the structure of Chambolle-Musigny. I don't know the appellations of Burgundy well enough to judge her success in that respect, but I thoroughly enjoy the wine in my glass.

There is nothing at all showy about this wine; that in itself is a hallmark of classic red Burgundy. Medium light ruby tones, bright and beautiful./Aromas that seem dusty and dry at first, then open up beautifully with scents of red cherries, ginger, ripe raspberries and a dash of pepper./The flavors unfold in a similar fashion with more black than red fruits. Excellent balance with round, harmonious flavors. At $22/bottle, Vero is a bit pricey for me to drink with any regularity, but it was a good wine-by-the-glass choice at Epic Bistro in Kalamaoo--a flavorful match for manchego pork cutlets with chorizo and red pepper linguine.

There is also a Vero Bourgogne Chardonnay, similarly blended and similarly priced. If you're interested in learning about Burgundy, these two wines give you a start. The next step would be to sample the various appellations that make up the blend.