Wine for Every Occasion at COMO Le Montrachet
FROM POOLSIDE ROSÉ TO GRAND CRU SHOWSTOPPERS, HEAD SOMMELIER, ANDRÉ BERTHIER, GIVES HIS BEST RECOMMENDATIONS
André Berthier is the Restaurant Manager and Head Sommelier at COMO Le Montrachet in Burgundy. He gained a sommelier diploma at L'Hermitage in Tain, before working at a variety of France's top restaurants including the Michelin-starred Le Chantecler in Nice. He has lived and worked in Puligny-Montrachet since 2004.
At COMO Le Montrachet, we're located right in the heart of the Grand Crus of the Côte de Beaune. It's that positioning that sets our wine list apart. We have 15,000 bottles from 1,250 different appellations in our cellars, ranging from small, independent winemakers to iconic names such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. I'm proud that 95 percent of the wines on our list are from Burgundy: it's a living list that I constantly enrich with new finds.
A Sense of Place
When it comes to local wines… Any bottle from Domaine Marc Colin is a classic representation of Burgundy. The vineyard is in the village of Saint-Aubin, around two miles from COMO Le Montrachet - or an hour's walk.
During a wine tasting… I love to serve guests two Premier Crus, tasted side-by-side, to show the difference between two terroirs from the same vintage and the same Chardonnay grape. The two I choose vary all the time depending on what's in the cellar at any given moment.
To complement a cooking class… I'd recommend a local wine; a Puligny-Montrachet 2023 vintage from Domaine Pascal, bottled under the COMO label. It's an elegant, easy-drinking wine designed to be shared with friends and family.
For a poolside tipple… The 2024 vintage of Marsannay Rosé from Domaine Bart is currently making for excellent drinking. It's vibrant and fresh - perfect for a sunny moment by the pool.
The best sparkling wine… France may be famous for its Champagne, but Crémants are having a real moment here. The Crémant de Bourgogne ‘En Chazot' by Louis Picamelot is a Blanc de Noirs made from 100 percent Pinot Noir, harvested in the village of Saint-Aubin. It's a vintage Crémant with structure and vinosity, showing great ageing potential that in my opinion, can rival many Champagnes.
Seasonal Pairings
The best wine to take on a picnic made by the Chef… A picnic should be about freshness and charm - I recommend any white wine made from the Aligoté grape, which is part of the Bouzeron local appellation. A great example is the structured Bouzeron ‘Clos de la Fortune' from Domaine Chanzy.
The signature pigeon dish on the menu at Le Montrachet is best paired with… The Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru ‘Les Sentiers' from Domaine Arlaud, which is an excellent match. Another great pairing would be a Volnay Premier Cru ‘Santenots du Milieu' from Domaine des Comtes Lafon, especially from a classic vintage such as 2018.
For the taste of autumn in Burgundy… I'd recommend something that complements the seasonal flavours of game and mushrooms. That calls for a silky red wine aged around ten years or more. A beautiful example would be Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru ‘Les Chaumes' 2014 from Domaine Méo-Camuzet. Alternatively, a rich, full-bodied white wine such as Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru ‘Clos de la Truffière' 2018 from Michel Niellon.
To end an evening… Our Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru ‘La Boudriotte' 2021 from Domaine Larue is a light, juicy and fresh red wine - ideal to round off a leisurely dinner.
Beyond Burgundy
The best non-Burgundy… If you're looking for a good white wine, a reliable classic is the Sancerre ‘Clos La Néore' from Edmond Vatan. The vineyard - a one-hectare plot in Chavignol, in the Loire Valley - is now managed by Edmond's daughter and the wine is vinified in the Burgundian style and bottled only in magnums. For a red wine recommendation, a recent discovery is the revival of the Irouléguy vineyard with Domaine Arretxea in the heart of Basque Country.
A milestone moment… demands a special wine. To me, that's a Grand Cru ‘Montrachet', from any producer. The exceptional rarity and significance of this wine embodies a unique moment.
My all-time favourite wine… is impossible to narrow down to a single label. I love wines from the Rhône Valley, the great Bandols and my roots in the Chablis vineyards.
For more information on the wine list at COMO Le Montrachet, or to book a stay, contact our concierge team now.
