Mâcon-Chardonnay, Les Beluses 2020, Domaine Vuillemez

Swiss Watches and White Burgundy Wine from Domaine Vuillemez

These Swiss watchmakers, also lovers of Burgundy, produce organic wines with a refreshing and full-bodied character. The perfect gift for a watch enthusiast! The new Domaine Vuillemez, located next to an ancient church in the village of Chardonnay, is run by Claude Vuillemez. Claude, a watchmaker from Neuchâtel and manager within the Richemont group (which includes CARTIER), continues the tradition with passion and craftsmanship.

Discover Domaine Vuillemez Père & fils from the charming village of Chardonnay, yes, you read that correctly, "the village." They create fresh yet mouth-filling Burgundies, infused with the passion of watchmakers and Burgundy lovers. Since 2019, they have committed to organic wine production and are transitioning to biodynamic farming with the help of Swiss biodynamic specialist Christian Vessaz. The Chardonnay in 'AOC Mâcon-Chardonnay' refers to the village, not the grape—although the wine is indeed made from the Chardonnay grape.

Enjoy a fresh and powerful Chardonnay with an excellent backbone and beautiful length from the top year 2020. This wine, a brilliant showcase of the best that Mâconnais has to offer without the Pouilly-Fuissé label, ages equally in both new oak barrels and concrete eggs. The oak influence provides structure and weight without feeling heavy, making it perfect for sunny occasions as well. Complexity and structure in a light-footed guise. With plenty of concentration, the aroma reveals freshness and complexity—a lively start of fresh lemons and green apple with hints of apricot and pineapple, combined with minerality and spiciness (hay, bergamot, green tea, musk, bay leaf). It finishes with a creamy buttery aftertaste that remains fresh and clean. Without a doubt, the best from the Mâconnais appellations, and the price fully reflects the quality.

The grapes come from the vineyard called "Les Béluses," a so-called lieu-dit, an old cadastral designation for a plot where the oldest vines of the estate grow. By aging in equal parts of new oak barrels and concrete eggs, the character is beautifully structured, adding both freshness and a sense of luxury.

The egg-shaped concrete vessels, known as "d'œufs en béton," promote the natural movement of the lees and keep them in suspension during vinification. Unlike the manual stirring of the lees, known as ''Bâtonnage,'' this method preserves freshness and purity without losing flavor.

Wine and Food Pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with white and green asparagus, salads with grilled eggplant, sweet potato or spicy goat cheese, poke bowls, sushi, oysters, mussels, (vegetable) tempura, seafood, or various types of white fish. Rice dishes also go well with the green tea element of this wine.

Special Features

• 100% Robust Chardonnay, aged on both concrete and French oak for ultimate balance.
• Rich, dry, buttery, complex. The best from the region.
• The wine is grown in the northern Mâconnais, resulting in more freshness.
• In conversion to biodynamic farming.

Domaine Vuillemez Produces More Beautiful Wines:

Mâcon-Chardonnay, Tourbillion 2020, Domaine Vuillemez

Domaine Vuillemez

Swiss precision with Burgundian allure. A family of Swiss watchmakers and Burgundy lovers. Vuillemez is a new estate located next to a 1000-year-old church in the village of Chardonnay. This is also the origin of the grape of the same name. Impressive wines stand out for their precision and refinement while retaining that mouth-filling, filmic, and creamy character of a good white Burgundy. These subtle flavors arise from aging in both concrete eggs and oak barrels.

Mâconnais: The Undiscovered Gem of Burgundy

The Mâconnais, located in southern Burgundy, is a region often overshadowed by the prestigious vineyards of the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. However, this area has attracted much attention in recent years due to the excellent price-quality ratio of its wines. While the more famous areas in Burgundy often demand exorbitant prices, the Mâconnais offers high-quality wines with a unique character, without putting a heavy burden on your wallet. For many wine lovers discovering Burgundy, the Mâconnais is a delightful find, proving that not all top wines have to come from the expensive side of the spectrum.

What is Produced in the Mâconnais?

The Mâconnais is primarily known for its white wines, which are mainly made from the Chardonnay grape. The region has numerous appellations, with Mâcon-Villages, Viré-Clessé, Pouilly-Fuissé, and Saint-Véran being the most prominent. These wines are fresh, fruity, and often characterized by a fine minerality reminiscent of the top wines from northern Burgundy but with a softer, more approachable style. The wines from the Mâconnais often have a pronounced terroir that subtly varies by village, giving each bottle its unique character.

Which Dishes Pair Well with Mâconnais Wines?

The white Chardonnay wines from the Mâconnais are versatile and pair perfectly with a wide range of dishes. They are an excellent choice with shellfish and crustaceans like oysters, shrimp, lobster, and crab. Lighter fish dishes with subtle herb sauces also complement these wines well. Additionally, they pair perfectly with poultry dishes, especially when served with mushrooms or light sauces. For dessert, these wines go wonderfully with soft cheeses like brie or camembert.

The red wines, made from the Gamay or Pinot Noir grape, are lighter in style and pair well with poultry, veal, duck, and chicken. They are less suitable for heavy game dishes but go fantastically with earthy vegetables, mushrooms, root vegetables, and risotto. Both types of wines, both white and red, are versatile and can even be served with light desserts.

Buying Mâconnais Burgundy Wines

At Burgundy or Nowhere, you will find a carefully selected collection of wines from the Mâconnais. We are particularly impressed by the wines from Domaine de la Chapelle, whose Saint-Veran is known for its impressive depth and complexity at a reasonable price. The Pouilly-Fuissé AX-B from the eponymous domaine is also an excellent choice for those looking for a high-quality Mâconnais experience without the high price of the Côte d'Or. Our goal is to offer wines that reflect what is in the bottle, not just the name on the label.