Meeting Paul Pernot - Old school, hard work and honest wines

The last winemaker that I met on my trip to Burgundy was Paul Pernot. Again, I cannot thank Jeanne Marie de Champs of Domaines et Saveurs for her time and introductions to these fine winemakers. I have been selling Pernot’s wines for many many years now and knew what to expect somewhat based on my experiences with his wines. Like his wines, Paul Pernot is a seemingly simple man, but behind the exterior is honest hard work, a drive, a purity, and great complexity. There is nothing precious about the man, the vineyard, or his wines. Pernot is about tradition, pride, and passion for crafting his wines.

Paul Pernot is 5th generation burgundian winemaker. His great-great grandfather, a négociant in Puligny, started the vine purchasing. Between vineyards that were inherited and his purchases of the past 30 years, the estate has grown to over 23 hectares (about 57 acres). The vines are all in great shape and range in age from 20 to 55 years in age.

Paul and Michel, his sons, are the ones that actively run the winery now, but Paul is very much still the patriarch. They are carrying on the tradition with great results. Pernot’s wines are known for their minerality and clean fruit, and they know how to use new oak in a supporting role.

The Bourgogne Blanc is a no-brainer purchase at $23.50 a bottle, but when you pick up your case to get you through crab season, go for a few bottles for the cellar, too. Your only disappointment will be that you should have bought more for your cellar.