White wines of the Mâconnais and Côte Chalonnaise: gems to discover
While the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune are emblematic of the Great Wines of Burgundy, the vineyards of the Mâconnais and the Côte Chalonnaise have nothing to envy their northern counterparts. The winemakers there produce white wines that are fruity, lively, and complex, and red wines with an unbeatable quality-to-price ratio.
The Mâconnais, a unique terroir for Great White wines
Located at the southern end of Burgundy’s wine region, the Mâconnais stretches over 35 km, from Tournus to Saint-Vérand, south of Mâcon. It is bordered by the plain of the Grosne to the west and that of the Saône to the east.
Its vineyard is hilly, with an ideal exposure for vine cultivation. To the south, it extends over rocky spurs, between Vergisson and Solutré, where the subsoil is cool and very calcareous. This unique situation, combined with a mild climate, is perfect for white wines, which represent 85% of the Mâconnais production.
For the Mâconnais is the kingdom of Chardonnay ! It is here that the most famous of white grape varieties was born, in the village of the same name.
Several exceptional wines come from this region, such as Viré-Clessé, Saint-Véran, Pouilly-Loché, Pouilly-Vinzelles, and the prestigious Pouilly-Fuissé, the only wine from the Mâconnais classified as Premier Cru.
What can be said about these white wines? They are Fine Wines with good aging potential, dry, lively, and with a straightforward attack. Their golden color reveals a bouquet of citrus and fruit aromas. On the palate, they are well-structured, round, and smooth, with delicate acidity.
Côte Chalonnaise : a multitude of quality appellations
Further north, around Chalon-sur-Saône, the Côte Chalonnaise vineyard extends from Chagny to Sercy, and on the Côtes du Couchois west of the Dheune. It is somewhat the hidden treasure of Burgundy, with high-quality wines similar in profile to those of the Côte de Beaune, as well as renowned crémants.
Over about forty kilometers between the southern Côte-d'Or and the Mâconnais, the vineyard spreads out in the morning sun and is sheltered from the west winds, on clay-limestone slopes between 250 and 410 meters in altitude. The climate is marked by hot, stormy summers and dry autumns, so the harvest is about ten days earlier than in the Côte de Beaune, similar to the Mâconnais.
The Côte Chalonnaise is distinguished by the diversity of its terroir, offering both red and white wines of great elegance. On its predominantly limestone soil, Chardonnay and Aligoté are cultivated for whites.
The appellations of the Côte Chalonnaise are renowned: Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey, Givry, and Montagny. Like the Mâconnais, the region lacks Grands Crus but offers esteemed Premier Crus among these appellations.
Looking for a Great Wine at a reasonable price ? Head to the Côte Chalonnaise ! The whites are delicate and fruity, with a fresh and saline finish. Montagny is prized for its minerality, Givry exudes subtle floral notes, and Rully is particularly elegant. As for Mercurey, it is full of freshness and finesse. Truly great white wines.
Treat yourself with our selection from the Mâconnais and the Côte Chalonnaise!
