2002 Verget Chablis Vaillons Vieilles Vignes des Minots

Maison Verget is a negociant based in Macon, Burgundy. It was founded in 1990 by Jean-Marie Guffens, a Belgian who moved to France in 1976 with his wife to learn French and study wine. After studying viticulture in France and working for other winemakers, they started making their own wines under the label Domain Guffens-Heynen. But Jean-Marie also wanted had ideas about being a negociant, and today his idealistic and demanding approach to vinification have made the Verget “one of Burgundy’s most talked-about sources of white Burgundy,” according to Robert M. Parker Jr. Verget’s broad portfolio of wines win high ratings from Parker and others.

Vaillons is a Premier Cru on the west bank of the Serein River, just west of the village of Chablis. It includes the climats Sur Les Vaillons, Chatains, Les Grands Chaumes, Les Chatains, Secher, Beaugnons, Les Lys, Roncieres, Les Epinottes and Les Minos. The soil is a mix of limestone, clay and fossilized oyster shells.

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.