2022 Chanson Vire Clesse, Maconnais

The House of Chanson has been part of Burgundy's story since 1750, making it one of the region's oldest wine producers. Based in Beaune and now under the ownership of the Bollinger family, Chanson has earned a reputation for crafting wines that faithfully express Burgundy's diverse terroirs. Their approach combines careful vineyard selection with restrained winemaking, allowing each appellation to reveal its own personality and character.

Viré Clessé is one of the Mâconnais' finest white wine appellations, created in 1999 from vineyards surrounding the villages of Viré and Clessé in southern Burgundy. Here, Chardonnay thrives on limestone and clay soils, producing wines that offer greater richness than Chablis while retaining the freshness and mineral precision that define Burgundy. The warmer climate of the Mâconnais brings generous fruit expression, making Viré Clessé one of the region's most rewarding and often overlooked sources of Chardonnay.

Pale gold with bright green reflections, the wine opens with inviting aromas of white peach, ripe pear and lemon blossom, intertwined with notes of acacia flower, honey and crushed stone. The palate is beautifully rounded and expressive, delivering layers of citrus, nectarine and orchard fruits supported by a creamy texture. Beneath the generosity lies a fine mineral thread that provides structure and freshness. Vibrant acidity balances the richness, leading to a long, elegant finish with lingering notes of lemon zest and almond.

A wonderful match for grilled scallops, Moreton Bay bugs, roast chicken with herbs, creamy seafood pasta or a roasted cauliflower and hazelnut gratin. Enjoy over the next five to eight years as the wine develops additional honeyed and nutty complexity. This is a classic Viré Clessé, offering the generosity of southern Burgundy with the refinement and balance that have made Chanson a trusted name for generations.