Bastian Wolber 'Laisse Tomber' Bourgogne Blanc 2021 (100ml)

Bastian Wolber is the German-born winemaker behind Laisse Tomber, a small négociant project that sources organic and biodynamic fruit from Burgundy, Alsace and Baden. He originally studied economics before shifting into wine, working harvests across Mosel, Alsace and Burgundy and spending time at producers like Ganevat. A wrist injury there led to the name “Laisse Tomber” — French for “let it fall.” His wines are deliberately unpretentious: bright, expressive, and made with minimal intervention. Expect vibrant Pinot Noir and Gamay, and fresh, textural whites that focus on energy and a clear sense of place rather than heavy winemaking.

France’s wine story begins with Greek settlers, Roman farmers and medieval monasteries that shaped famous regions. It remains the benchmark for many of the world’s classic wine styles, built on a deep history of regional identity and an appellation system designed to protect it. AOC rules outline where grapes can be grown and how wines are made, giving structure to places such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and the Rhône. Key grapes like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah all find their most famous expressions here, alongside countless regional varieties.

From the driven whites of the Loire to the rich blends of the south, French wine is ultimately about clarity of origin and a commitment to balance, and modern France continues to evolve, combining precise regional traditions with a renewed focus on sustainability and site expression.

Burgundy is one of France’s most renowned and tightly defined wine regions, celebrated for its focus on terroir - the idea that soil, climate, and site shape a wine’s identity. The region’s reputation rests mainly on two grape varieties: Pinot Noir for red and Chardonnay for white. Both are expressed through small, precisely mapped vineyard sites known as climats.

Burgundy is divided into key subregions: Chablis in the north (crisp, mineral Chardonnay), the Côte de Nuits (home to the most prestigious Pinot Noir vineyards), the Côte de Beaune (renowned for its fine whites), and further south, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais, and Beaujolais.

The classification system runs from regional wines up to village, Premier Cru, and Grand Cru, reflecting increasing specificity and quality. Burgundy’s scale is small, but its influence is vast - it remains the global benchmark for elegant, site-driven wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.