Sometimes, a little research can transform the way we drink wine. What looks, at first glance, like a world of intimidating prices and inaccessible bottles can often yield hidden treasures, if you know where to look. Nowhere is this more true than in Burgundy, and particularly in Gevrey-Chambertin.

Gevrey-Chambertin is one of the most celebrated names in Burgundy, built almost entirely on Pinot Noir and shaped by centuries of winemaking history. Since the 7th century, monks and growers have cultivated these vines, and the area’s reputation was so closely tied to its most famous vineyard, Chambertin, that the commune appended it to its name in 1847.

Over the years, figures such as Napoleon and Alexandre Dumas have exalted its wines, and today its nine Grand Cru vineyards stand among the most coveted in the world.

But such prestige comes at a price. At the top end, bottles from producers like Domaine Armand Rousseau can fetch anywhere from £300 to several thousand pounds, depending on the vineyard and vintage. Clos Saint-Jacques, technically a Premier Cru, often exceeds Grand Cru pricing. For many drinkers, such numbers put Gevrey-Chambertin firmly out of reach.

This is where a little research pays off. Beneath the headlines and the auction hammers, domaines like Trapet Père et Fils are producing wines of luminous fruit and finesse across all levels, not just Grand Cru. This family-run estate has been in Corney & Barrow’s portfolio since the 1960s. It is now guided by three generations, with Pierre and Louis Trapet joining their father Jean-Louis in continuing the domaine’s biodynamic approach. The attention to detail is extraordinary, from grand cru holdings down to humble Bourgogne Rouge.

And here’s the revelation: Their 2022 Bourgogne Pinot Noir, with most of the fruit drawn from plots in Gevrey-Chambertin, retails for just £25 a bottle. On the nose, it bursts with vivid red cherries, wild strawberries, and hints of plum, layered with a touch of smoke and earthy loam. The palate is supple yet lively, carrying juicy berry fruit through to a finish laced with subtle spice and fine, textured tannins. There’s a freshness here that makes it immediately drinkable, but also enough structure to reward a year or two in the cellar. This is a wine that punches far above its weight; balanced, thoughtful, and crafted with the same care as the domaine’s grands crus.

The lesson is clear: with a bit of time and curiosity, it’s possible to enjoy the taste of Burgundy’s greatest terroirs without paying fine wine prices. Gevrey-Chambertin may be a symbol of grandeur, but with careful research, the same soil can deliver affordable pleasures that rival the finest tables.

Our wine enthusiast Nathan lives in Leeds and runs the PR and marketing company Campfire PR.
https://campfirepr.com/