"Beauty, history and some of the world’s greatest wines; all part of the glorious mix that makes Burgundy an irresistible region to explore. It’s also where having the help of a knowledgeable guide pays dividends. My husband James and I had chosen the Côte d’Or region, south of Dijon, a 45-mile strip of scenic hills and villages where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay rule. But with vast numbers of appellations, independent wine-makers plus a bewildering array of merchants in the region, we clearly needed help choosing which vineyards to visit.

That’s why guided wine tours in Burgundy are such a good idea. How else to find out the reasons for the differences between terroirs? And, crucially, where the bargains are. Pascal Wagner turned out to be the answer to our prayers. Pascal, a cheerful polyglot was rightly described by an American gourmet magazine as a “walking  enological encyclopaedia” and gives personalised tours of the whole region. We jumped at the chance of having him – and his incredible contacts – all to ourselves for a day. He picked us up from the ultracomfy Hotel Le Montrachet in Puligny for a tasting with the charming Philippe Chavy – greatwhites at great prices. On to fabled Meursault and more great whites and some excellent reds at Domaine Jean Monnier. The Pommard Epenots Clos de Citeaux, from a 900-year-old walled vineyard, costs at least £10 less per bottle than you would pay at home. It’s not all posh. We enjoyed a rustic lunch at Le Relais du Château in La Rochepot, a lovely little hideaway five miles from Meursault. Here, beneath a stunning castle, the Fouquerand family makes topnotch Crémant de Bourgogne, as good as many champagnes but only six euros a bottle – fantastic value we would never have found without Pascal. We then visited Gevrey-Chambertin, where the Rossignol-Trapet brothers use organic methods to create great wines.Le Chambertin was Napoleon’s favourite wine – the Rossignol version is magnificent. Back in Puligny via scenic backroads, we were glowing with both wine and satisfaction. The great thing about being driven around is that you can enjoy as many wine-tastings as you like without worrying about your licence. We learnt about vintages, terroir, had terrific fun and found great bargains. We drove north to our Brittany Ferry with some fabulous wine and great memories to treasure."

Daily Telegraph 15-16 mars 2008

The big draws here are the excellent wines and sommelier Pascal Wagner, a walking enological encyclopedia, ready to answer all questions-in English, French or German. La Table d’Olivier Leflaive is a great place to get your Burgundy wine bearings. While knowing something about wine on a trip like this is a good thing, it’s hardly necessary, since so many Burgundians want to share their knowledge. Certainly that’s the case at Beaune’s most famous bistro.”

October 2005 - BON APPETIT

"I wish that more winemakers would look at what Olivier Leflaive and family have been doing for 10 years. In the center of the charming village of Puligny-Montrachet, they run a down-to-earth little restaurant/tasting room - lunch only from March to the end of November - where everyone is put into a good mood by the outgoing and informative host and hostess, Pascal Wagner and Marie-Chantal Dubois. You can’t not love a place where they serve you tastes of everything from Chassagne-Montrachet to Meursault 1er Cru on to Volnay and Pommard.

By 1 each afternoon the small rectangular dining room with ochre walls, bared oak-topped tables and modern tile floors rings with the sounds of good times. P Wagner and MC Dubois can carefully explain - in French or English - the merits of each and every wine, and of the gorgious selection of cheeses offered at the end of the meal. The fare may well include soothing chicken cooked in "yesterday’s" white wine (no cream, no egg, no milk said MC Dubois). The bread is outstanding and it’s hard to keep your hands off the fresh and crusty morsels."

International Herald Tribune - 11 June 2005