WINERY: Domaine de la Soufrandière (Bret Brothers)
GRAPE: Chardonnay
REGION: Saint Véran
 
VINEYARD:
The Saint-Veran appellation was created in 1971 and sits on rolling hills between
Mâconnais and Beaujolais. The climate is warmer and drier than the Côte d’Or.
"La Bonnode" is a sheltered 2-hectare plot in one single block, facing east on the
foot of the Roche de Vergisson looking down the Saône valley, often with views as
far as Mont Blanc to the east. Vines are between 30 and 35 years old and grow on
clay-limestone soils on gentle slopes. The parcel is made up of long rows on a
slope, so the grapes ripen in stages and are picked in successive tries.
 
VITICULTURE:
Viticulture is certified biodynamic since 2006. They work with a horse in the
vineyards to avoid soil compaction.
 
WINEMAKING:
Grapes are hand harvested, and undergo a gentle 3 hour press, Fermentation is in
old oak barrels and vats, with natural yeasts. The wine undergoes malo and ages
for 17 months in barrels and tanks. The wines aren’t fined or filtered, and are
bottled with a small addition of around 20 mg/l of sulphur.
 
TASTING NOTES:
Waxy, floral nose with some hay. Energetic and complex on the palate with apricots, ripe citrus and some spice.