Greetings friends,
Spring has arrived, and its presence is undeniable. Everything seems to be 'opening up' as we prepare for the new season. But it is Anniversaries that are foremost in our minds - I'll explain later on. But first to Spring. Let me paint the picture: swallows return to Capistrano, baby lambs seek shelter under their mothers, and tulips transform the landscapes of Holland into vibrant masterpieces. Here in Burgundy, we experience bud-burst—a moment when the sap rises and the vines unfurl their first tender leaves. It may not have the poetic charm of cherry blossoms, but this early sign of Spring in Burgundy carries a touch of intrigue, even a slightly sinister edge.
In French folklore, farmers wait for the Saints de Glace, the Ice Saints, the feast days of Saint Mamertus, Saint Pancras and Saint Servatius, before they feel safe to plant frost-sensitive crops. Like so many farming traditions, there is no scientific proof. But farming traditions are time-tested and marked by common sense.
So, between bud-burst and the Saints de Glace, Burgundians still pray that their fragile vines will not be hit by frost.
2024 was a classic example. Spring frosts took a huge part of last year's wine harvest. We bought barrels at both the Hospices de Beaune and the Hospices de Nuits wine auctions this year. The quantities were minuscule. Not great for the farmers, perhaps, but the quality was exceptional.
And we can now offer this excellent 2024 Hospices de Nuits wine, available 'en primeur'. If you would like to reserve some for your cellar,
Click Here for the 6-bottle pack, or
Click Here for the 12-bottle case.
Other Hospices favorities can be found
here.
And so, back to Anniversaries! —
A little something to celebrate Spring. Our Burgundy House Parties have been a cornerstone of what we do for the last 38 years, since Ellie & Dennis first started doing them in one form or another. As we reflect, so much of it has been around the celebration of our clients' big events, primarily anniversaries. And so this year, our 38th anniversary, we are going to mark that with
a 20% discount for anyone coming to Cromey to celebrate their special anniversary. For more information, call JoAnn at 855-315-1761
or use our Booking Enquiry form here.
The family's finest, most favorably exposed parcels are dedicated to producing their flagship Irancy Rouge. In exceptional years, they craft two single-vineyard bottlings: one from the gently sloping, clay-rich “Cailles” vineyard, and the other from “Vaupessiot”, a site with older vines and a fully south-facing orientation overlooking the Yonne River.
