Mâcon-Villages (2022) - Du Grappin
In the heart of Burgundy, the Du Grappin winery has carved out a place of its own in the wine world through its commitment to both tradition and innovation. There is an intriguing story behind their take on Mâcon-Villages, a wine whose roots lie in the Mâconnais, a region historically less celebrated than other parts of Burgundy. Yet it was precisely here that, in 2022, Du Grappin chose to try out a sustainable approach, using low-impact winemaking techniques.
Mâcon-Villages (2022) - Du Grappin
Type: Vino Bianco
Area: France, Burgundy, Mâconnais
Appellation: Mâcon-Villages AOC
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2022
Winery: Du Grappin
Alcohol: 12.5
The appellation: Mâcon-Villages AOC
Mâcon-Villages AOC is a controlled designation of origin established in 1937, representing one of the freshest and most immediate expressions of the white wines produced in the Mâconnais region, in southern Burgundy, France. This appellation is reserved exclusively for white wines made from Chardonnay, the flagship grape of this area.
Find out more about Mâcon-Villages AOCWhat to eat with Mâcon-Villages
Who makes it: Du Grappin
Founded by Andrew and Emma Nielsen, Du Grappin is an independent winery that celebrates Burgundy with an artisan approach that respects nature. Selecting small plots in some of the region's finest terroirs, Du Grappin makes wine in a minimal way, using spontaneous fermentations, ageing in neutral wood and reduced intervention in order to express the identity of the grapes at its best. The result? Pure, vibrant wines of great elegance, which reflect the complexity of Burgundy without compromise.
Find out more about Du GrappinThe vine of Mâcon-Villages
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted and prestigious white grape varieties in the world, originally from Burgundy, in France. Thanks to its great adaptability to different climates and soils, Chardonnay is grown in many wine regions, expressing unique characteristics according to the terroir and the winemaking style.
Find out moreMâcon-Villages: the Mâconnais area
Mâconnais
The Mâconnais is a renowned wine area in the southern part of Burgundy, France. This region is famous for producing elegant, accessible white wines, made mainly from Chardonnay, which here shows a fresher, fruitier side than in the more prestigious areas of northern Burgundy.
Find out more about MâconnaisClimate: Continental
Altitude: Low to mid altitude (200–500 m above sea level)
Soil: Limestone / chalk
Geographical setting: Hilly
Profile of Mâcon-Villages
Primary aromas: Floral notes and yellow fruit
Secondary aromas: Light toasty and mineral notes
Tasting notes: On the palate it is intense, round and fresh, with long persistence
| Sulphites | yes |
| Body | Intense and round |
| Acidity | Vibrant |
| Tannin | No |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Finish | Long |
| Colour | Straw yellow with golden highlights |
| Clarity | Clear |
| Body | Medium |
Winemaking methods used for Mâcon-Villages
Spontaneous fermentation
Spontaneous fermentation is one of the most fascinating and natural techniques in winemaking, relying solely on the indigenous yeasts present on the grape skins and in the cellar environment. Widely valued in the world of natural and biodynamic wine, it brings out biodiversity and terroir, giving the wine a unique and authentic character.
Find out moreAgeing methods used for Mâcon-Villages
In cask (7–18 months)
Ageing in cask for between 7 and 18 months is a classic but measured approach to maturing wine. Large casks, usually Slavonian oak or untoasted French oak, allow natural micro-oxygenation, which helps the wine settle, knit together and develop a more complex, harmonious profile. This kind of ageing is widely used for terroir-driven reds and for some structured whites that are after depth without the aromatic intensity a barrique would give.
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