Crémant d'Alsace, established in 1976, is France's second-largest sparkling wine category, following Champagne. Produced using the méthode traditionnelle, it undergoes a secondary fermentation and at least nine months of lees ageing, imparting a toasty, nutty complexity. Domaine Armand Gilg’s Crémant D’Alsace Extra Brut presents a pale lemon colour with persistent bubbles and a creamy palate of apricot, lemon, and ripe apple. Its vibrant acidity, long finish, and complexity make it a versatile wine, ideal for pairing with seafood and light appetisers. Scored 92/100, this Chardonnay-based sparkling wine is a fantastic choice for both immediate enjoyment and cellaring until 2030.

The House of Bollinger was founded in 1829 in the Aÿ region of Campania by Athanase de Villermont, Paul Renaudin, and Joseph Bollinger. Joseph Bollinger laid the foundations for the high quality and excellence that characterise Bollinger Champagne to this day. His widow, Lily Bollinger, took over after his grandson's death and was instrumental in its reputation and growth. Her iconic saying reflects the family's passion and dedication to champagne.

Jean-Marc Vincent’s Santenay 1er Cru “Les Gravières” 2019 embodies the essence of Burgundy’s winemaking tradition. With a philosophy rooted in land stewardship and quality, Vincent crafts wines that reflect the terroir’s true character. This Chardonnay boasts a bright lemon hue, complex aromas of citrus, vanilla, and spice, and a palate of concentrated fruit and mineral notes.

In Burgundy, owning an entire premier cru vineyard like "Clos de La Pucelle" in Puligny-Montrachet is a rarity. The term 'monopole' refers to such exclusivity, where a single producer owns the entire plot. This tradition stems from historical vineyard fragmentation, notably influenced by Napoleon's inheritance laws.

Indulge in the exquisite world of Taittinger Champagne. Renowned for producing high-quality Champagnes since 1734, Taittinger is a distinguished Champagne house with a rich history spanning over 280 years. From their fine vineyards in the heart of the Champagne region, Taittinger crafts elegant and creamy wines with flavours of ripe strawberry, refreshing apple, and a hint of freshly baked bread. Experience the harmonious balance and luxurious texture that Taittinger Champagnes offer. Perfectly paired with dishes such as salmon and tuna tartar, they are a celebration of elegance and refinement.

Without a doubt, Burgundy is a place that ignites the senses. And, of course, no trip to Burgundy would be complete without visiting Chablis. One of the highlights of my trip was visiting the highly respected William Fevre winery. Alain Marcuello, who greeted me in the tasting room, was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and guided me through tasting some of their most impressive wines. The winery was founded in 1957 by William Fevre, and since 1998 it has been owned by Champagne Henriot. It has 78 hectares of vineyards, all located in the Chablis region, with 15 hectares classified as Grand Cru and 47 hectares as Premier Cru.

On Tuesday, my senses were awoken by the magnificent Domaine Chevrot. As I walked through their vineyards, I was amazed by the sight of horses tilling the land, a true testament to the winery's commitment to sustainability.

Burgundy is a dream destination for wine lovers, and my road trip there was nothing short of magical. I arrived in Beaune on a beautiful Sunday evening, just in time to catch the warm glow of the setting sun casting a golden light over the city. The sweet scent of spring filled the air, and I felt a bubbling sense of excitement at the prospect of exploring the beautiful vineyards of Burgundy over the next few days.

The Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune includes 29 villages, and one can find wines of all three colours, although reds are the majority.

Cava is Spain's answer to Champagne. Although Champagne can be produced only inside the Champagne wine region, Cava can be made in several wine regions in Spain.

Chablis is all about Chardonnay and its pure austere, lemon, mineral dimension that this particular terroir can deliver.

You do not need to spend a fortune to drink a good Champagne. There are plenty of producers in the region who offer an excellent price-quality ratio affordable to all budgets.

In a wine region like Burgundy, where the prices are rising yearly and the demand for wines is more than ever, it is not easy to find good bottles in the ten euro category.

Domaine Gerovassiliou has established a reputation for crafting top-quality white wines all these years. That 11 years Chardonnay is a good example that is still showing freshness and fruit purity.

The clearness and preciseness one can find in Tetramythos wines is unusual.

Sometimes life rewards us with many surprises. In my case, that legendary Grand Cru was one of those moments.

It is a high-quality wine that delivers a lot of pleasure, and one can admire the Burgundian terroir.

It was a delicious Chardonnay with layers of complexity that leaves a sense of joy while you drink it.

Bouchard Père et Fils is a sizable and historic Burgundy wine estate based in Beaune.

Château Fuissé is a leading producer of Chardonnay wines in the Pouilly-Fuissé région.