Domaine de Thalie, Balancin, Pinot Noir de Bourgogne, Burgundy, France

Up on the Cote d'Or, Burgundy's commercial heartland, it is understandably planted with vines, vines and more vines. Down here, in Peter Gierszewski's hidden corner of Southern Burgundy, farming is much more varied and the biodiversity is striking. 

Peter's vineyards are at between 300 and 400m altitude, where the wind and wide diurnal temperature range help create conditions ideal for growing grapes organically and to maintain acidity and freshness in even the hottest vintages. 

Balancin is 100% Pinot Noir, fermented for around 20 days in stainless steel, with 70% whole bunches, before pressing and and being gravity fed into old barrels. The press wine and free run wine are aged separately for one year before blending and bottling with no fining, no filtration and just a dash of sulphite.

Named after a large rock above the vineyard, from where there are spectacular views, Balancin is a very pure expression of Pinot Noir; red fruits, supple, and fragrant.