Grachet Duchemin 'La Croix d'Helios' Hautes-Côtes de Beaune 2024 750ml

Swapping the classroom for the family vineyards in 2018, husband-and-wife duo Marion and Arnaud Grachet bring a breath of fresh air to their 10 hectares of boutique Côte de Beaune vines. Guided by a deeply respectful, sustainable philosophy, they craft wonderfully vibrant expressions that balance an effortless, modern finesse with a beautifully refreshing energy.

France 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 mineral-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.

Burgundy is France’s most detailed and site-driven region. Stretching from the cool slopes of Chablis in the north down through the Côte d’Or to the Mâconnais in the south. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the foundations here, but the real story is how each village and vineyard expresses them differently. The Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune form the region’s core, while areas like the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais add a broader mix of styles and accessibility. Burgundy is defined by careful vineyard work, long-established classifications and a focus on clarity of place rather than heavy winemaking influence.