I have been covering the Burgundy wine region for over a month now on radio, but neglected to keep up with my blog, so the next several. blogs will focus on the subregions of Burgundy and all its wines. That will include recommended wines to try in each area. This show aired February 17.
The Maconnais or simply Macon subregion of Burgundy is a primo Chardonnay area, with a wide range of wines because of the wide range of terroir, with which we know the French are passionate. The soils are also defined by their quality, which translates to a wine’s rating.
- Macon: wines from within the Maconnais
- Macon-Villages: Wines sourced from various villages, there are 26 communes
- Macon-Villages, named village: Wines sourced from a single village or a small group (2-4) of villages
- Premier Cru: 22 vineyards or climats
Premier Cru Vineyards:
The 22 premier Cru vineyards are located in four village-groups within the Maconnais. These were approved by the INAO in 2020. However one does not need to know the village names as each wine will be stamped premier cru, because the winemaker can charge more for his wine. Outside of those vineyards, grapes from more than one village are designated Macon-Villages or Macon-Villages named village. Examples will follow.
Chaintré (4):
Le Clos de Monsieur Noly Les Chevrières Aux Quarts Le Clos Reyssier
Fuissé (7):
Le Clos Les Brulés Les Ménétrières Les Reisses Les Vignes Blanches
Les Perrières Vers Cras
Solutré-Pouilly (8):
La Frérie Le Clos de Solutré Au Vignerais En Servy Aux Bouthières
Aux Chailloux Pouilly Vers Cras
Vergisson (4):
Les Crays La Maréchaude Sur la Roche En France
Note: One of the vineyards Vers Cras is listed in two villages.
Tasting notes: (www.bourgogne-wines.com)
The Mâconnais white wines are the color of white, yellow gold or straw with gently glowing silvery or greenish highlights. To the nose, their aromas suggest broom, white roses, acacia, honeysuckle, fern, verbena, lemon-grass, grapefruit and mandarin oranges. In the mouth, the finish adds nuances of pine, quince and fennel. The impression on the palate varies according to each village and each terroir of origin. These wines are fresh and luscious as well as dry and well-fruited. They have good concentration backed by sufficient acidity to ensure their longevity. They are full and smooth in character.
Location: (www.bourgogne-wines.com)
In this part of southern Bourgogne, the vines occupy a landscape of little hills and valleys. The hills of the Mâconnais extend over some 40 km from the Côte Chalonnaise to the Rock of Solutré and are bordered on one side by the river Saône (sown) and the Grosne (gron)River on the other. Vines were first planted here in Gallo-Roman times and were maintained in the Middle Ages by the powerful abbeys of Tournus and Cluny. AOC Mâcon was established in 1937. White wines (Chardonnay) grown in the arrondissement of Mâcon and 11 neighboring communes are entitled to the appellations Mâcon, Mâcon Villages, or Mâcon plus the name of the village.
Terroir: (www.bourgogne-wines.com)
Separated by a series of parallel faults, the hills of the Mâconnais are linked along axes which give them either a north/north-westerly or a south/southeasterly exposure. The vines take readily to these hillsides. Limestone and shallow soils with solid or fragmented calcareous rock at depth are perfect for the Chardonnay grape. Elsewhere, flinty sands and clays often mixed with calcium rich rocks or sandstone pebbles favor the quick maturing Chardonnay.
Wines of the Maconnais available at Total Wine
M Dutron Pouilly Fuissé 1er Cru “”Pouilly””, 2021, 13% ABV, $55
“Pretty nose of apricots, lemons, toasted hazelnuts and baked yellow apples. It’s creamy and full-bodied, with bright acidity giving freshness alongside ripe fruit and subtle toasty elements.” James Sucklin 91 points. The premier cru vineyard is Pouilly, within the Solutré-Pouilly.
DeBeaune Pouilly Fuisse Galopieres, 2020, 13% ABV, $48 (others under $30)
A vineyard within the Solutre-Pouilly and Fuisse villages.
“Attractive nose of baked pineapple, lemon, custard and hazelnut. Some turmeric and spice, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied, round and creamy. Delicious finish.” James Sucklin 91 points
Luquet Macon Villages Condemine, 13% ABV, $23
“A rare single vineyard Chardonnay from the Luquet family estate. Showing plenty of lemon, lime and apple flavors as well as subtle hints of melon and mineral. Unoaked. A wonderful accompaniment to seafood and chicken.” I’m a fan of Luquet (Lou-ket) wines and this went great with Rock Cornish Hens.
Domaine St Germain Macon-Lugny Chardonnay, 13% ABV, $17
The name Mâcon-Lugny refers to wines grown within a defined area in the villages of Bissy-la-Mâconnaise, Lugny, Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé, and part of Cruzille. These are classified as Appellation Régionales wines.
The Macon Lugny is a wine of great purity, both floral and mineral, expressing a lively energy with lush creamy texture balanced by the citrus acidity.
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