Student and master – Jean-Marie Fourrier
Jean-Marie Fourrier is troubled by the state of Burgundy today.
His wines are some of the region’s most desirable – and yet he is as concerned about the prices of the Côte d'Or’s wines as consumers. Each time we speak, he seems to be cautioning his fellow vignerons, willing them not to push their luck too far. Since he started his négociant business in 2012 – created with the idea of making his wines more accessible, the price of grapes has quadrupled. Relationships with those growers are now often tense – and he’s left asking himself, “Would I pay this price for this bottle myself?” As soon as the answer is no, he’s clear that something needs to change. It’s for exactly that reason that he looked abroad to expand with Bass Phillip.
Beyond these serious worries for the fate of the region, he’s constantly looking to adapt his craft to the shifting climate. Visiting last year, I spied a stainless steel barrel, as well as a glass wine globe and amphora. As his latest wines are released, I caught up with him about why he’s moving away from oak – and the 2022 vintage.
