11/22【Vavin 酒盒子 Wine tasting】
Wine List
THE VINEYARDS OF THE MÂCONNAIS
TERROIR
The Mâconnais vineyards follow the contours of the land of southern Burgundy, from gentle hills to abrupt outcrops of limestone rock, creating numerous different orientations and micro terroirs. Arid and stony, it is the perfect terrain for growing vines. The soils are principally fossil-rich Callovian limestone clay formed in the latter part of the middle Jurassic period, approximately 160 million years ago.
The geographical situation, angle of the slopes and the local climate mean that the soils quickly warm up and dry out after rain, ensuring that the vines have just the right amount of water. Chardonnay flourishes particularly well here, forging a worldwide reputation.
The Mâconnais can also pride itself on being reputed as the birthplace of this grape variety, which in all probability took its name from the village of Chardonnay. This grape that is particularly well suited to limestone soils gives the wines from the region their remarkable palates and great aromatic finesse.
These terroirs are also the product of a long history. The vineyards can effectively claim to be of 3rd century Gallo-roman origin, and the quality of the terroirs was vaunted by the monks before the AOC system brought them international notoriety.
The expansion of the vineyards, as was the case all across Burgundy, was largely due to the monastic orders. Here the influence of the monks of Cluny Abbey was felt from the 6th century. However, national recognition only came in the 17th century, when Louis XIV introduced the wines of the Mâcon to the court.
The organisation of the vineyards as it exists today is much more recent, and was influenced by the development of the AOC system (1936 Pouilly-Fuissé, 1971 Saint-Véran).
2022 Deux Roches Saint-Véran Tradition
Region : Burgundy, Saint-Véran
Grape Variety : Chardonnay
This wine is a selection of plots located in the heart of the Saint-Véran appellation, around Davayé, near Roches de Solutré and Vergisson. These chalky terroirs dating from the Jurassic are perfect for promoting the expression of Chardonnay. A rich and ripe Saint-Véran, full of liveliness. Its great character and its beautiful typicity are unanimous. This is the first wine produced at Deux Roches in 1983. Dressed in liquid gold, this cuvée gives off a floral scent reminiscent of honeysuckle and acacia flowers. Once in the mouth, the juice reveals itself to be both firm and fat, the attack is round, delicately structured and mineral. The lingering finish is carried by gentle citrussy bitters.
2022 Deux Roches Saint-Véran Rives de Longsault Vielles Vignes
2022 Deux Roches Saint-Véran Rives de Longsault VV
Region : Burgundy, Saint-Véran, Rives de Longsault Vielles Vignes
Grape Variety : Chardonnay
The Saint-Véran “Rives de Longsault” reflects the terroir of Davayé, with clay-limestone soils and a warm climate. This cuvée comes from several plots, with grapes gently pressed, and vinification occurs in stainless steel vats or wood, depending on the vintage. Malolactic fermentation is adjusted as needed, and aging is done on fine lees. The wine showcases aromas of jammy fruits and delivers a generous, fleshy palate, ending with a fresh and lingering finish.
2021 Deux Roches Saint-Véran Les Cras
2021 Deux Roches Saint-Véran Les Cras
Region : Burgundy, Saint-Véran, Les Cras
Grape Variety : Chardonnay
The Saint-Véran “Les Cras” 2021 offers an exquisite expression of Chardonnay from a prime limestone terroir in Davayé. Hand-harvested and meticulously aged for 19 months, it delivers a luminous golden hue, with an aromatic bouquet of honeysuckle. The taste balances vibrant freshness, minerality, and notes of white peach, making it a refined and elegant choice. Ideal with dishes like grilled lobster or seafood pasta, this cuvée is a celebration of finesse and complexity, limited to 2,496 bottles for a truly exclusive experience.
Within the vast Languedoc vineyard, Altugnac is now 110 hectares in the Limoux appellation area in the Haute-Vallée de l’Aude. This specific region is located in the extreme southwest of the Languedoc vineyard, at the foot of the Pyrenees, in an area where Mediterranean and Atlantic climatic influences combine.
The vines are located on terroirs with an altitude of between 200 and 600 meters, which allows the summer heat to be tempered. This zone of climatic confluence enjoys both optimum sunshine due to the Mediterranean influence; cool nights due to the proximity of the Pyrenees, good ventilation generated by the Tramontana and a balanced rainfall thanks to the contributions ocean entrances. In terms of grape varieties, chardonnay, mauzac and sauvignon dominate for the whites while pinot, merlot, cabernet franc and syrah share the kingdom of reds.
Located in the neighboring towns of Antugnac and Montazels. They are divided into six large islands characterized by different situations, exposures and soils. These different terroirs enhance the expression of the grape varieties and increase the options for blending.
Around the Estate, at village level, the clay-limestone soils are covered with numerous marine fossils called turritelles. At an altitude of around 300 meters, the temperatures are higher there than on the slopes, which favors earlier maturities, which are interesting for the red grape varieties in terms of substance and roundness.
The Subitre sector is located on a higher plateau (350 to 500 meters above sea level) and consists of large hillsides facing south and rather windy. The soils are clay-limestone, very stony, shallow, with flat stones. There are white grape varieties (Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Chenin) as well as Cabernet.
The Las Gravas sector forms a homogeneous whole of 8 hectares planted with Chardonnay and exposed to the south. It is a plateau located at an altitude of 400 meters, surrounded by a case of holm oaks. This terroir is unique to Antugnac. Clay and limestone, the subsoil is indeed covered with a gravelly surface layer composed of black earth rich in schist debris. The fresh air from the Pyrenees effectively counteracts the heat of the sun, allowing harvesting at cool temperatures. Here the grapes are used in the composition of white Limoux: “Terres Amoureuses” and “Las Gravas”.
The Planal sector enjoys the highest position, between 430 and 500 meters above sea level. The brown soil contains flat stones and sometimes pebbles. We observe in this sector the same characteristics as in Gravas that means a southern exposure, good ventilation and a strong sensitivity to the influence of the mountains.
The Plats sector, located in Montazels, is much warmer and earlier. The stony soils made it possible to build a lot of “cadoles” and dry stone walls. It is planted with red grape varieties (Merlot, Cabernet) but also with a large area of old Mauzac, a late grape variety that reaches great maturity here.
Pradelle count 9 hectares of vines facing south. It is located at the foot of the cliff of Subitre; the nature of the soils is similar there, but they are deeper and less stony. The climate is warmer. There are red grape varieties (Syrah, Malbec, Merlot) and Chardonnay.
2023 Altugnac Terres Amoureuses Limoux Chardonnay
2023 Altugnac Terres Amoureuses Limoux Chardonnay
Region : Languedoc, Limoux
Grape Variety : Chardonnay
The Altugnac Terres Amoureuses Chardonnay originates from 30 hectares of vines planted in the early 1970s, situated at 400m altitude in the Aude Valley, Languedoc, on clay-limestone soil. The Mediterranean climate with mountain influences supports a slow ripening process. Grapes are hand-harvested, slowly pressed, and fermented in barrels with 20% new oak before aging on fine lees for 10-12 months, followed by additional aging in vats. The wine displays a bright yellow color with green highlights, a nose of ripe fruit and flowers, and a rich, elegant palate with a fresh, mineral finish.
2022 Altugnac Les Turrielles Pays d’Or Pinot Noir
Region : Languedoc,
Grape Variety : Pinot Noir
The Domaine Altugnac, in the Haute Vallée de l’Aude, benefits from a unique terroir of Turitelles fossils, limestone, and clay soils, creating sloping plateaus and a sunny, cool microclimate. Pinot Noir is gravity-fed into vats, undergoing gentle extraction to preserve aromatic complexity, with malolactic fermentation and ageing in stainless steel or concrete tanks. This garnet-hued wine offers aromas of fine spices, mocha, and Montmorency cherry with a velvety texture. Ideal pairings include delicate red meats, fleshy fish, and flavorful vegetable dishes. The Collovray and Terrier families revitalized the vineyard in 1997, focusing on elegant, high-altitude wines.