At Domaine Marc Colin, Damien and his sister Caroline are making some seriously good, high-energy wine. The domaine dates back to the 1970s, and was built from the ground up by Marc Colin and his wife Michele, from vineyards that had been in their families for generations. Two of Marc’s four children have since gone their own ways, taking their share of family vineyards; so Pierre-Yves left to start Domaine Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey, and Joseph left to start Domaine Joseph Colin. Damien and his sister Caroline stayed in control of Marc Colin.

Auditioning to be a location in the last Harry Potter opus, the atmospheric, black mould-covered cellar with its low ceiling houses some of the best wines of the area. Lafarge is undoubtedly one of the finest Cote de Beaune producers. They craft pure and understated wines, real terroir-driven Burgundy, made as it always has been without any great fuss or marketing noises. Only 20% new oak is used on many of the wines as purity of fruit is vital to the operation.

Jacqueson remains one of the very best domaines in the Chalonnaise, and has a huge domestic following; their wines adorn the list of many of France`s finest restaurants. Based in the village of Rully, the domaine is these days managed by third-generation sister and brother team Marie and Pierre. It`s no wonder the Jacquesons` wines are so good; their fruit come from wonderfully-sited vineyards which they only work by hand, using minimal treatments. Cellar work follows a low-intervention regime, with the judicious use of new oak.

It’s hard to avoid the Colin family when you are in Chassagne-Montrachet. Philippe Colin was born into the Colin-Deleger estate, and when his parents retired, Philippe split the vines with his brother Bruno. He set up his own domaine in 2004, out of modern premises on the outskirts of Chassagne-Montrachet. He has always aimed for a style of wine which is elegant and subtle rather weighty and powerful.

For many people at least part of Burgundy`s appeal is the ancient, cobweb-laden cellars filled with dubious looking barrels and mouldy ceilings. But you`ll find Rene Bouvier`s modern unit in a Zone Artisanale near the Super-U between Gevrey and Fixin. Glamorous? Not exactly. Filthy and decrepit? Certainly not. But are the wines any good? Mais Oui!

Anne and Herve Sigaut took over at this domaine thirty years ago, and have been playing the long game ever since, making classic, refined Chambolle-Musigny. They destem all their grapes, which puts them very much in line with neighbours like Barthod and Bertheau, follow the lunar calender, and plough by horse. They have some wonderfully sited old vines. Their Chambolle-Musigny comes from 10 plots across the village. From behind the church, Derriere le Four (planted in 1973) makes a dark, robust wine, where Chatelots is plush.

There have been Taupenots and Mermes making wine in Burgundy since as far back as the seventeenth century, and sitting at the head of eight generations of winemakers, Romain Taupenot-Merme was probably always destined to be a winemaker himself. But he started off in finance, and did very well for himself. However, in 1998, at his father’s request, he returned to the family domaine, and in due course took over.

In 2005 Arnaud Tessier was catapulted into the driving seat when father Michel died and he and partner Catherine were forced to take responsibility at the domaine with no notice and relatively little experience. Michel used to sell almost everything to negociants, including fairly classy ones like Verget, and they still sell some fruit in bulk. Thankfully they are retaining more and more fruit for themselves.

Lean, vibrant, high-energy – just like the man himself. The wines of Thomas Morey belong in the same stylistic mould as those of fellow growers Bernard Moreau and Paul Pillot. And while he is new to the Uncorked portfolio, Thomas is not new to Chassagne-Montrachet – there have been Moreys here since 1643. He learned his craft at the side of his father Bernard, and over time developed a very clear winemaking signature all his own.

He is widely hailed as the most outstanding producer anywhere on the Cote Chalonnaise, as adept with Pinot Noir as with Chardonnay. As some Burgundy prices spiral, his remain modest. We often spot other winemakers drinking his wines in restaurants when we visit the region. So why isn’t Vincent Dureuil-Janthial getting wider attention?

In Mercurey, Vincent Charton finds himself at the head of a renaissance, rescuing the village from the reputation it once held for `rustic` wines. Vincent’s wines are all about finesse and energy, and they proudly showcase the potential and variety of the terroirs here. Together with his father, Vincent cultivates 11.5 hectares of Pinot Noir. The ethos is minimal intervention. They use natural yeasts in the winery and restrict barrel aging to no more than 30% new oak for between 8 and 10 months.