Chardonnay, White Burgundy, Gratin, Vegetarian, One Pot, French Cooking

St-Aubin is one of Burgundy's best-kept secrets, sitting right next to Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. The limestone soils give the Chardonnay loads of freshness, with bright citrus, crisp apple and a chalky mineral edge, balanced by a subtle creamy richness. It's vibrant, easy to love, and perfect with seafood, roast chicken and potato & leek gratin!

Domaine Marc Colin's Luce is everything that’s great about St-Aubin. Sourced from three limestone-rich parcels, it brings bright lemon, crisp green apple and a real chalky mineral kick, with just enough creamy texture to keep it exceptionally balanced. Fresh, energetic and seriously classy, it's a Chardonnay that strikes thought as much as it is approachable.

Ingredients

Gratin

  • A bag of potatoes
  • 2 large leeks
  • 2 shallots
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 250ml double cream
  • 100ml whole milk
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Gruyère
  • Parmesan
  • Butter
  • Salt and black pepper

To finish

  • Chives
  • Lemon zest
  • Good olive oil

Method

1. Cook the leeks

Slice the leeks into thick rounds.

Gently cook them with the shallots in butter for 15 minutes until completely soft and sweet.

Add the garlic for the final minute.

2. Infuse the cream

Warm together:

  • cream
  • milk
  • thyme
  • bay leaf
  • Dijon
  • Salt & pepper

Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, then remove the herbs.

This is a tiny step, but it gives the whole dish a more rounded flavour. Similar techniques are used in classic French potato gratins. 

3. Assemble

Slice the potatoes thinly.

Layer:

  • potatoes
  • leeks
  • Gruyère

Repeat until finished.

Pour over the warm cream.

Finish with:

  • remaining Gruyère
  • Parmesan
  • plenty of black pepper

Bake at 170°C for around 75 minutes until bubbling and deeply golden.

Rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Finish

Scatter over:

  • chopped chives
  • a little lemon zest
  • a tiny drizzle of good olive oil

Why It Worked

White Burgundy doesn't need loads of big flavours, it just wants good ingredients treated properly. Sweet leeks, nutty Gruyère and creamy potatoes are rich enough to meet the wine halfway. Every sip freshens things up, every bite makes you want another sip.

Domaine Marc Colin Saint-Aubin - Luce 2022 Chardonnay at The Beerhive, Edinburgh. Free UK shipping.

Domaine Marc Colin Saint-Aubin - Luce 2022 Chardonnay

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