Beaujolais Blanc Classic
Chardonnay has found its true home on our limestone clay soils. The climate is warmer than that which is typical of Burgundy which results in wines that are full of expression. On the nose, this white wine from Beaujolais (France) is a festival of aromas that are full of fruit in its youth, as it matures it expresses rich honey notes. The palate is fresh, fleshy, and elegant at the same time. Enjoy this wine as an aperitif, with freshwater fish or a creamy goats’ cheese.
Grape Variety / Blend: chardonnay
Winery / Estate: Domaine des Terres Dorées
Chardonnay has found its true home on our limestone clay soils. A climate that is a little warmer than in Burgundy gives very expressive wines. The nose of this white wine from Beaujolais (France) is a festival of aromas that are fruity in its youth and more honeyed as it matures. The palate is fresh, fleshy and elegant at the same time. Enjoy this wine as an aperitif, with river fish and goats’ cheese.
| Product-Type: | Wine |
| Type: | white |
| Price Point: | 1,501 to 2,000 |
| Style: | Crisp & Refreshing |
| Vintage: | 2018 2020 2022 |
| Blend/Grape Variety: | chardonnay |
| Volume: | 750 ml |
| Alcohol: | 12.50% |
| Country: | France |
| Region: | Beaujolais |
| Estate: | Domaine des Terres Dorées |
| Appellation: | AOC Beaujolais Blanc |
| Fermentation: | Natural |
| Wine-Making Process: | Organic |
| FOOD PAIRING: POULTRY / PORK / VEAL: | Pan seared |
| FOOD PAIRING: SALADS: | Salad with Sea Food |
| FOOD PAIRING: CHEESES: | Soft Creamy Cheeses (Cow, Sheep, Goat) |
Winery
Jean-Paul Brun started Terres Dorées in 1979 with a mere 4 hectares of vines in Charnay in the southern Beaujolais, an area which is slightly warmer and more limestone-driven versus the more renowned granite-rich cru villages in the northern Beaujolais. Today, the Charnay estate is around 30 acres, but with an additional 15 hectares farmed in the crus. The farming in Charnay is organic and includes working of the soils; the cru parcels are farmed sustainably and the soils are not worked. Harvest is by hand and of well-ripened but not over-ripened fruit, so alcohol levels are generally modest.
Annual Terres Dorées production is around 350,000 bottles, 85-90% of it from estate fruit with the rest of it sourced. From the beginning, Jean-Paul carved a different path for himself in Beaujolais. Not only does he not chaptalize (common practice here), he has also always eschewed the relatively modern technique of carbonic maceration, in favor of traditional Burgundian vinification. He believes the fruit is best expressed by the grapes’ indigenous yeasts, rather than by adding industrial yeast. Brun’s view is that Beaujolais drinks best at a lower degree of alcohol and that there is no need to add sugar.