2016 Merlin Macon La Roche-Vineuse Vieilles Vignes

Domaine Merlin was started in 1987 by Olivier and Corinne Merlin. It is in the village of Roche-Vineuse and the Merlins have vineyards in Macon and Beaujolais terroirs. Olivier studied viticulture at the Lycee Viticole in Beaune then later worked in Jura and Napa Valley. The couple began their own enterprise when they took over Vieux Saint-Sorin domaine and then purchased additional vineyards. Today they grow Chardonnay, Gamay and Pinot Noir on 28 acres. Total production is 140,000 bottles annually. Domaine Merlin produces red and white wines. Olivier Merlin is considered one of the top producers in Macon and is a leader in les Artisans Vignerons de Bourgogne du Sud, a group of artisanal grower/producers working to make Macon small producer wines better known.

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.