A Farewell to Becky Wasserman, a Great Sage of Burgundy

As an American working in France, she often had to explain the region to her countrymen while leading them to wonderful producers.

Whenever I had the opportunity to visit Burgundy, I would look forward, if possible, to seeing Becky Wasserman. Ms. Wasserman, an American wine broker in Burgundy who died on Aug. 20 at 84, ran something of an open house for wine travelers, whether for lunch at her office in Beaune, practically upstairs from the legendary restaurant Ma Cuisine, or for dinner at her home, a cluster of ancient stone buildings in Bouilland, a tranquil backwater west of Beaune. These gatherings were great fun. You were assured of a warm welcome, excellent company and great conversation. The wines were invariably fascinating, served with simple, wonderful food — a hearty soup, stew or roast chicken — usually prepared by Ms. Wasserman’s husband, Russell Hone, a droll Englishman who was as towering as Ms. Wasserman was short.