Winemaker Notes
Through careful vine growing and vinification, André received enormous respect from his colleagues. He was not only the co-founder of the Independent Winemakers of the Saone-et-Loire; he also was one of the principal initiators of the new Vire-Clesse appellation in the 1990s.
Andre has now passed the torch to his daughter Jacqueline and her husband Eric Palthey. They were recently joined by their son Aurelien who acquired a enology degree in 2007 and his brother Johan who recently completed his wine studies. ?
The domaine presently covers 11 hectares located on the clay and limestone soils of both the Vire and Clesse communes. 98% of their production is white, although they also make a little red from Gamay.
Inhabiting the best of the upper half of the Mâconnais, Viré-Clessé, created from the delineation of the two top Mâcon Villages, produces lively, charming and full-bodied whites (of Chardonnay). Lemon balm, verbena, white peach, and mint evolve with graceful age to quince jam, spice, pine and brown butter. The aromatic intensity of Viré-Clessé suits itself to herb-laden poultry, as well as sautéed shrimp or vegetables. It is also the perfect partner to Camembert or goat cheese.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.