SAINT-VÉRAN > BOUCHARD Ainé & Fils

SAINT-VÉRAN 2024

click on one of the vintages below for further information

2022 2024

Varietal

100% Chardonnay.

Tasting notes

Colour: Green-gold.

Bouquet: When young, it develops aromas of white-fleshed fruit (peach, pear), evolving towards white flowers (acacia), then yellow (honeysuckle, broom) and, as it ages, hazelnut, grilled almond, honey and gunflint.

Palate: Dry but round, soft and fruity.

Food and wine pairing

Enjoy it as an aperitif, with starters, light, fine charcuterie, oysters, shellfish and fish.

Serving suggestions

Serve ideally at a temperature of between 10° and 12°C.

Ageing potential

Already very pleasant, this Burgundy white will keep for 5 to 8 years in the cellar.

Origins

This is the golden belt of the Pouilly-Fuissé vineyards, at the southern end of the Mâconnais. It is similar to Pouilly-Fuissé in its relief, production techniques and organoleptic qualities. The clay-limestone soils of the Jurassic period allow the Chardonnay grape to express itself well in the communes of the appellation area: Saint-Véran, Chânes, Chasselas, Leynes, Prissé and Davayé (plus a few plots in Saint Amour and Solutré).

Saint-Véran is the youngest cru in the Mâconnais, having been created by decree on 6 January 1971.

The vineyards are planted on the middle Jurassic entrock limestone beds on the slopes of the Solutré range. It currently covers 420 hectares, with an average production of 25,000 hl.

Clay-limestone soils / Steep slopes / East, south-east exposure / Altitude 200m to 350m.

Vinification and maturing

The grapes are gently pressed to extract the highest quality juice possible. The resulting must is placed in a temperature-controlled vat for settling (12 to 24 hours). This settling operation is crucial in our quest for aromatic purity. The must is then racked and placed in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats (16-18°C) for alcoholic fermentation. Ageing in stainless steel vats on lees (80%) and in oak barrels (20%) for 8 to 10 months.

Vintage : 2024

The year 2024 in Burgundy was marked by extreme weather conditions, with excessive rainfall and a significant lack of sunshine. These factors led to heavy disease pressure, particularly downy mildew, complicating the work of the winegrowers. Frost and hail also caused significant damage, particularly in regions such as Chablis and Auxerrois.

Yields were severely affected, with drops of up to 70% in some areas. The Côte Chalonnaise held up better, with more limited losses. Overall, volumes are well below the usual average, a reminder of the difficult harvests in 2021.

The late harvest necessitated rigorous sorting to preserve quality. Despite the challenges, the grapes harvested reached good ripeness thanks to a sunny spell in September. The reds stand out for their richness and concentration, comparable to great vintages such as 2010. The elegant whites are reminiscent of 2022.

Initial tastings reveal promising wines, with concentrated aromas and a fine structure. Although limited in quantity, this vintage promises to be a qualitative success.