2016 Joseph Drouhin Pouilly-Vinzelles

Maison Joseph Drouhin is one of Burgundy’s most venerable estates. It was founded in 1880 by Joseph Drouhin, who bought a 100-year old negociant business and began acquiring parcels in such legendary appellations as Clos des Mouches and Clos de Vougeot. By the mid-20th century the 148-acre estate was being run by Robert Drouhin, who continued to acquire vineyards and improve the quality of the wine. (Robert also purchased 100 acres in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where his daughter makes Oregon Pinot Noirs under the Domaine Drouhin label.) The maison makes Grand Cru, Premier Cru and villages wines in Chablis, Cote de Nuits, Cote de Beaune, Cote Chalonnaise, Maconnais and Beaujolais. Noted Burgundy expert Clive Coates has called the maison “one of the most perfectionist” of the Burgundy producers, and Robert M. Parker Jr. notes that Drouhin’s wines “are among the very best of the modern style of red and white Burgundies.”

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.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.