When comparing prices and quality of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from around the wine world, I still find the best values in Burgundy, the place of origin for these two varieties, a place of traditions and innovation.

 The new generation of winemakers is striving to do better than their predecessors, crafting high quality, exciting wines. Lequin-Colin is one of these rising estates in Burgundy.

Late in the afternoon of October 21st our ABC wine-team visited the Lequin-Colin winery in the village of Santenay.

 Francois Lequin, owner and winemaker, showed us the vineyards and the cellar before sampling the current vintages of his wines and some older ones as well. Both whites and reds showed very well.

Personal favorites were the whites Chassagne-Montrachet Les Charrieres and the Puligny-Montrachet ,as well as the red Santenay Premier Cru La Commme, showing elegance, balance and rich flavor in both 2008 and 2009 vintages.

 A must-taste are the red and white regional Burgundies priced for an everyday consumption at $14.99.

--Atanas Nechkov, Wine Supervisor, Central Florida