"Wine is a matter of personal search. People should not be shy and should go their own way. Sometimes I have friends bringing me a bottle of wine coming from another village, another region, and it's always fun to discover. Don't be shy. You don't have to be educated to appreciate wine. Listen to your feelings, your sense, your palate. Wine is not complicated. Wine is a matter of pleasure. Don't make it more complicated than it is."
- Philippe Pascal, Owner, Domaine du Cellier aux Moines
I must confess that I approached my recent Instagram Live chat with Philippe Pascal, owner of Domaine du Cellier aux Moines, with a bit of trepidation. In addition to my worries about my very shaky pronunciation of French, I wondered if the owner of a prestigious Burgundy estate might be too serious for the inherent goofiness and spontaneity of Instagram Live. Well, I am happy to say that my fears were unfounded. Down-to-earth, funny, knowledgeable, and passionate, Phillipe was a fascinating guest. And he was completely unbothered by the honks and sirens wafting in from my busy Manhattan street!Click here to watch our chat on IGTV.
In 2004, Philippe, and his wife Catherine, left the corporate world behind and purchased Domaine du Cellier aux Moines. Founded in 1130 by Cistercian monks, over the centuries, the monks survived wars and plagues and produced wines that graced the tables of royalty and popes. When Catherine and Philippe purchased the property, it was in danger of disappearing, and they meticulously restored the estate’s ancient buildings and wine cellar.
For fans of Pinot Noir, Burgundy represents the crème de la crème, and the wines are loved for their authentic sense of place, elegance, and longevity. But my conversation with Philippe reminded me that Burgundy is not a monolith. Domaine du Cellier aux Moines is located in the Côte Chalonnaise, in Givry, an area that Philippe describes as underappreciated.
I encourage you to watch the video above, on IGTV, or YouTube. Philippe engagingly weaves historical facts with his personal journey. And his charming daughter Margot even joined us on camera occasionally and showed me their gorgeous vineyards. And if you want to learn even more, pour yourself a glass while reading Nine Centuries in the Heart of Burgundy: The Cellier Aux Moines and Its Vineyards, which was co-authored by Philippe.
While chatting, we sipped Clos du Cellier aux Moines, Givry Premier Cru 2017 ($65). 100% Pinot Noir, as all wines classified as red Burgundy are, this is a voluptuous, complex, and captivating red wine. Far from austere but still extremely elegant, this unfiltered red is full of life and character.
