Ep 348: The Mâconnais of Burgundy

<p>The Mâconnais is the southernmost area of Burgundy, known for excellent Chardonnay. Although it's often overshadowed by the other parts of Burgundy and only given credit for AOC Pouilly-Fuissé, this picturesque and historic Chardonnay-dominated region has some of exciting appellations you should seek out to see what Mâcon is capable of (hint: a lot, at great prices to boot!)</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style= "display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src= "https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/45638/macon_1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="323" /><br /> <em><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Source:</span></em> <a href= "https://www.bourgogne-wines.com/our-wines-our-terroir/our-vineyards/the-maconnais/the-maconnais-the-southernmost-entry-point-to-the-bourgogne-winegrowing-region,2473,9317.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><span style= "font-size: 8pt;">Vins de Bourgogne</span></em></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Here are the show notes:<strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Mâcon location:</strong></p> <ul> <li>The Mâconnais is located between the Côte Chalonnaise and Beaujolais in Burgundy. It is a transitional area between the north and south of France, where the climate starts to warm a bit, and plusher, fuller styles of wine are possible.</li> <li>The vineyards are on a long strip between two valleys split by the Saône River in the east as it flows south to meet the Rhône and Grosne River in the west.</li> <li>The Mâconnais has 3,345.82 ha/8,268 acres of vineyard over rolling hills that intersperse with pastures, orchards and other agriculture.</li> <li><strong>Chardonnay</strong> represents 80% of all vines planted in the region. Reds are made of Gamay and Pinot Noir. Mâcon covers wines of white, red, and rosé.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>History</strong></p> <ul> <li>Vines have been here since Gallo-Roman times but viticulture took off with the Abbey of Cluny, a Benedictine monastery founded in AD 910. These monks were dedicated to viticulture and were responsible for spreading it