Avoiding overpriced Bordeaux and Burgundy
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Ever worry you're being taken for a ride when it comes to buying Bordeaux or Burgundy in the restaurant? Try looking for the lesser-known appellations in these regions, says Decanter's chief restaurant reviewer, Fiona Beckett.

Avoiding over-priced Bordeaux and Burgundy on wine lists

Kevin Lee, London, asks: Are Burgundy and Bordeaux on restaurant wine lists always over-priced?

Fiona Beckett, Decanter’s chief restaurant reviewer, replies:

Not always, fortunately! It depends on which appellation of wine you’re talking about – and which restaurant. There’s always a temptation for restaurants, particularly fine dining establishments in big cities like London and New York, to bump up the price of better-known appellations that diners will recognise, such as Chassagne-Montrachet, Chablis, St-Emilion and Margaux.

More modest restaurants and wine bars that pride themselves on their wine lists will often sell less well-known appellations such as Fixin, Rully, Côtes du Bourg or Moulis at a more reasonable price, especially if they offer wines by the glass.

Old-fashioned country pubs and restaurants often have some real gems.

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Fiona Beckett
Fiona Beckett

Fiona Beckett writes Decanter’s regular features on food and wine matching and runs the website matchingfoodandwine.com, which also includes pairings with beer, cocktails and other drinks. An award-winning journalist, Beckett has written regularly for many of the UK’s leading newspapers, including The Times, The Guardian and the Daily Mail. In 2002, she was nominated for The Food Journalist of The Year Award by the UK Guild of Food Writers. Beckett has written 15 books about food and wine, including How to Match Food and Wine, Cooking with Wine and Wine by Style.