1990 Guffens-Heynen Macon-Pierreclos En Chavigne Cuvee Bois Neuf

Mâconnais is in the southern end of Burgundy, just above Beaujolais. The district takes its name from the village of Mâcon, which was the center of a thriving wine trade in the 17th century. In those days Mâconnais produced more red than white wine. Today Mâcconais makes mostly white wine made from Chardonnay grapes and is best known as the home of Pouilly-Fuissé. Pouilly-Fuissé is a white wine appellation made up of the villages of Pouilly and Fuissé. There are no Grand or Premier Crus in Mâconnais. But in addition to Pouilly-Fuissé, village appellations include Saint-Véran, Viré-Clessé and Mâcon and Mâcon-Villages. The Mâcon plus a village name is an allowable wine label. Mâcconais includes 17,300 acres of vineyards. Red wines are made from Pinot Noir or Gamay, which is the primary grape just slightly further south in Beaujolais.

The Gamay grape produces a light, versatile and food-friendly wine. It is best known for making Beaujolais Nouveau, but it is also grown in Loire and Tours. Thankfully the 14th C. Duke of Burgundy’s degree to ban the grape did not spread through all of France.