5 Questions with Richard Bampfield MW
1. Your masterclass ‘Top to Toe Chablis’ is a journey through the northernmost district of Burgundy and, in particular, the wines of Domaines Albert Bichot.
What can we expect?
An emphasis on the tasting of four wines, each of which has a story to tell about the make-up of the region; and each of which will helps us understand how Chablis differs from the rest of Burgundy…and indeed from Chardonnay grown anywhere else in the world.
2. What wines will you be tasting and how does each typify the Chablis village?
- Chablis Domaine Long-Depaquit 2017 – showing the freshness, verve and sheer drinkability of young Chablis
- Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2015 – showing the extra depth expected of a 1er Cru vineyard
- Chablis Grand Cru Moutonne 2015 – Chablis’s “secret Grand Cru”, a monopole owned by Domaine Long-Depaquit and very much a rarity
- Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2010 (magnum) – 2010? In magnum? A perfect time to taste a mature Chablis 1er Cru
3. In recent years we have seen sharp price increases out of Chablis due to several poor harvests limiting availability. Do you think Chablis still offers value for money to the consumer?
I would say that Chablis was probably undervalued before the recent price increases, especially at 1er Cru and Grand Cru level. However, as a keen Chablis drinker myself, I would love to see a succession of good harvests there and a softening of prices in due course.
4. Tell us about yourself
A love of wine and a desire to use my French led to my joining the wine business straight from University. And the fact that I am still here shows how much I have enjoyed it. I simply adore wine in all its diversity and, genuinely, am as happy trying a new vintage of an easy-drinking favourite from Chile as a mature classed growth claret. Mind you, I do currently have a soft spot for Burgundy…and hate a long separation from Madeira.
5. Masterclass aside, which wines do you have your eye on to sample at our tasting?
I suspect I will try to get round as many as I can. I always enjoy refreshing my memory of the wines I already know, but am equally interested in making new discoveries.