Most of us are rather partial to a glass or two of Chardonnay, particularly when it is from France. Located just south of Beaune, the Macon, which is part of Burgundy, is producing increasingly fine wines. The World Atlas of Wine by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson says "The slightly warmer climate than that of the Cote d'Or suits the Chardonnay grape, which seems gloriously at home in the Maconnais."

I discovered Domaine de la Verpaille a decade ago They produce wines biodynamically from unbelievably old vines and sell them at a remarkable price.

The wines are not big and broad, but are fine and mineral.

It has been a few years since we imported the wines and it is now time to re-acquaint ourselves with these excellent value wines.

Domaine de la Verpaille is owned and run by Baptiste and Estelle Philippe who are the 5th generation of their family to run this charming wee estate in the heart of Vire-Clesse. Production is focused on the Chardonnay grape and the vineyards were certified Organic in 2006. Their vineyards are extremely old. All their wines are lees aged for 12 months before release which gives a characteristic complexity and depth of flavour which is simply wonderful.

Today we feature their three top wines from Vire-Clesse. This includes the lieux-dits Longchamp and Virolis. They are serious wines and are great buying!

Festive Season Special. Until 5pm Friday 22 November 2024 we offer all wines at a 25% discount.

Buy a Case and Save 30%!

About Vire-Clesse...

Viré-Clessé is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) for white wine in the Mâconnais subregion in Burgundy in central France, located in the communes of Clessé, Laizé, Montbellet and Viré. Viré-Clessé has Chardonnay as the only allowed grape variety. There are no Premier Cru vineyards within the AOC. The AOC was created in 1999, when this area was upgraded to be a communal-level appellation of its own ("a separate Mâconnais cru" similar to say Pouilly-Fuissé) rather than being part of the subregional Mâcon AOC, which covers a much larger area. Before the Viré-Clessé AOC was created, the wines could be labelled Mâcon-Vire or Mâcon-Clessé.

The Viré-Clessé AOC is located in the northern part of the Mâconnais subregion, north of the town of Mâcon, in the direction of the Côte Chalonnaise subregion.

MIXED CASE

Can't decide? We offer a Mixed case comprising 4 bottles of each of the Vire-Clesse whites - Harmonie, Longchamp and Virolis. Wonderful Festive Season drinking!

Normally $659.40

Super Special $461.55 (Save 30%)

Domaine de la Verpaille Vire-Clesse Harmonie 2021

Normally $50.95

Super Special $38.20 (Save 25%)

Case of 12 Bottles $427.95 (=$35.66 a bottle)

This wine is from 70 year old vines grown on south-east facing slopes of clay and limestone soil. Vinification is in stainless steel to retain freshness and vibrancy.

Darren Harris

Bright, pale yellow. Nose of flowers, white peach, toast and salted butter. Plenty of mid palate density with a balanced chalky finish. This is the fruitiest and most open of the trio. Harmonie in name, harmonious in character.

Domaine de la Verpaille Vire-Clesse Longchamp 2021

Normally $56.95

Super Special $42.70 (Save 25%)

Case of 12 Bottles $478.35 (=$39.86 a bottle)

Longchamp is a plot in Vere-Clesse that is vinified separately. The vines are 75+ years old and grown on clay soil.

Vinified in big French oak barrels (600 litres) of which 10% are new. Fuller than Harmonie, this cuvee shows the benefits of the climat with great mouthfeel finishing with mineral and flint. More complex, spicy and interesting and more in a white Burgundy style. I like this cuvee very much.

Darren Harris

Crushed stones, minerals, spice. More floral than fruity with lovely tension. Multi-layered, deep and intriguing. Dry and crisp with much finesse and terroir in spades. The wine enters the mouth with precision and line and gently fans towards the back before finishing long with a tangy, citrus note and a hint of chalk. Quite Puligny like in aromatics and texture. Superb!