Domaine de Thalie, Atout Vent, Macon Villages, Burgundy, France
Up on the Cote d'Or, Burgundy's commercial heartland, it is understandably planted with vines, vines and more vines. Down here, in Peter Gierszewski's hidden corner of Southern Burgundy, farming is much more varied and the biodiversity is striking.
Peter's vineyards are at between 300 and 400m altitude, where the wind and wide diurnal temperature range help create conditions ideal for growing grapes organically and to maintain acidity and freshness in even the hottest vintages.
"Atout Vent" translates roughly as "wine asset" as the grapes for this wine came from a particularly windy spot, which means the vines are hardly ever sprayed against mould or oidium.
This is 100% Chardonnay, natural ferment in stainless steel, bottled unfined, unfiltered and with just a tiny sulphite addition at bottling. Everything in the cellar is done by gravity, no pumping and Peter favours extended, cool fermentations and a long time on lees, up to a year, producing wines of amazing complexity and depth.
Producer - Domaine de Thalie
Country - France
Region - Burgundy
Appellation - Macon Bray
Variety / Blend - Chardonnay
Wine Style - White Wine
Farming - Organic and biodynamic principles
Vegan