Laforêt Bourgogne Blanc, Joseph Drouhin 2023 75cl

Laforêt is Joseph Drouhin's regional Burgundy, the entry point to a house that has been at the heart of Beaune since 1880. It's a wine designed to show what unpretentious white Burgundy tastes like, without the price tag of a village name.

The Chardonnay is sourced across the wider Bourgogne appellation and made with the same care Drouhin apply to their grander cuvées, just with a lighter touch of oak. That restraint is deliberate: the aim is freshness and clarity rather than richness, a house Chardonnay in the truest sense.

Citrus and ripe orchard fruit sit alongside delicate floral notes, with a gentle spicy-pastry edge and a hint of honey and vanilla. The palate is tender and fleshy over a firm, lemony core, with medium acidity and a bright, tangy finish. It's an honest, well-made white that tastes properly of Chardonnay from a cool climate.

At around £23 this is dependable, food-friendly Burgundy for a weeknight rather than a wine to cellar. Drink it within a couple of years while it's fresh; there's no need to wait for anything.

How to Serve

Serve at 8-10°C in a white-wine glass. Straight from the fridge is fine, though ten minutes of warming lets the fruit show a little more.

Where to Drink It

The Wolseley for an easy lunch. Bentley's at the oyster bar. Planque in Haggerston with something simple and good.

Food Pairings

A natural with roast chicken or grilled white fish. It also handles a plate of goat's cheese and a green salad without breaking stride.