5 to Try: Burgundy Wines

“Burgundy is an important region to understand and unlock, because so much of the world references Burgundy,” says Nikita Malhotra, an award-winning sommelier and beverage director/partner of Smithereens, a seafood restaurant in New York City’s East Village. “My love of German Pinot is framed by the dialogue those producers are having with Burgundy. My interest in Coteaux Champenois (still wines of Champagne) is very much inspired by how Burgundy once tasted about 30 years ago.” 

But since the wines are in a higher price bracket, learning to appreciate the region takes an investment of not only money, but also time and energy. Understanding this, Malhotra, whose accolades include Michelin Guide New York 2022 Sommelier of the Year and 2025 StarChefs Rising Star, makes it her mission to provide accessible options for both collectors and newbies. Here she shares her favorite Burgundy wines to drink now. Featuring a variety of styles, her picks highlight the region’s history, the commitment of its vignerons, and the stories of the vines.

AMI Aligoté 2023

Ami, which means “friend” in French, is a project between friends Paul Perarnau and Will Roulendes who focus on “good farming and the mission to stay affordable,” according to Malhotra. Their Bourgogne Aligoté “is very approachable … quite pure and fresh, with a hint of reduction,” says Malhotra. That brightness and subtle salinity reflects the vineyard’s limestone soil. $39, nomadicdistribution.com

Domaine Génot-Boulanger Pommard “Les Cras”

This family-owned estate founded by Charles-Henri Génot and Marie Boulanger in 1974 in the heart of Burgundy produces red and white wines from more than 30 appellations. In 2008, the fourth generation of vignerons made a switch to organic farming and biodynamic practices, improving their wines. Malhotra is a fan of their Pommard “Les Cras,” which “is the rockiest of their three Pommard parcels and has a distinctive structure and minerality.” $110, artisan.wine

Joseph Drouhin Macon-Villages Maconnais

Drouhin is one of the great family names in Burgundy, Malhotra says, making a range of Burgundian wines in different price points. Four siblings carry on the family traditions. But Malhotra calls out Véronique Drouhin who has made it her mission to produce the best wines, saying she “wants to capture the terroir of both regions, but I think she also has a chance to make wines that are balanced and approachable.” Malhotra suggests their Macon Villages for its affordability and accessibility. $24, plummarket.com

Domaine Tribut Chablis

When Laurent Tribut married Marie-Clotilde Dauvissat, he joined a renowned Chablis winemaking family renowned. Now he continues the family’s winemaking tradition with his children on their own winery. Malhotra points to their Chablis as a standout. “Very small production, and a winemaking outlook that is rooted in tradition, these wines are worth seeking out,” she says. Featuring a balance of fresh acidity and minerality with green apple and citrus notes, it’s a classic Chablis. $49.99, bottlebarn.com

Laisse Tomber Bourgogne Pinot Noir Sur Calcaire 2023

Malhotra first learned about Laisse Tomber through her love of German wine. “[Bastian Wolber] represents a new voice for the region, originally from Germany and not from a winemaking family in the traditional sense,” she says of the winemaker. His experience working in wine regions such as Alsace, Mosel, and Burgundy has influenced his winemaking, allowing him “to participate in a more international dialogue,” Mahlotra says. Made with Pinot Noir grapes grown in Mâconnais and Ladoix, this bottle exemplifies his sourcing and blending expertise. $102.99, thewinestoremarlboro.com