Mâcon-Chardonnay wines are the original, crowd pleasing Chardonnays and are still as popular as ever. They are fruity and unoaked, opening with aromas of ripe orchard fruits combining pear with apple, apricot, and peach. This easy drinking, affordable style makes them a wine lover's staple.
The Burgundy Harvest of 2021
The 2021 Burgundy harvest followed a year of severe weather challenges leading to a dramatically reduced crop. All regions, from Chablis to Beaujolais, were heavily affected, with winter-like temperatures that dropped to -7°C in places last April. These strong frosts impacted the buds, especially for the Chardonnay grapes, which were beginning to develop following a period of high temperatures in March.
These “natural disasters” remind us time and time again that the climatic and ecological transition that winemakers have to face is a real challenge. Burgundy producers are expected to produce nearly a third of their usual wine output this year, down 29% on the 2020 figure. The Mâconnais was one of the most severely hit regions, with yields expected to be around 47% lower than last year as a result of frost and hail affecting the harvest.
Overcoming The Shortage
At Bon Coeur, we have worked hard with our suppliers to increase our current stocks of Mâcon vintages, in order to minimise price increases, for as long as we possibly can. The Mâconnais is a great place to find good value wines that punch well above their weight which makes them super popular but unfortunately the prices are set to rise so it is a good time to either stock up on your favourite Mâcon wines and/or look for alternatives to fill the gap as we wait in anticipation for a better 2022 harvest.
Here are our top, reasonably priced alternatives to replace your everyday Mâcon…
Robert Oatley Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia
From one of Australia's best known and most reliable regions, this Margaret River Chardonnay utilises first-class fruit taken from a range of high-quality vineyard sites. Margaret River is well known for its ability to produce excellent Chardonnay and this wine from industry powerhouse Robert Oatley Vineyards is a great example. Medium-bodied, with lovely peach and nectarine flavours accompanied by a lifted citrus and a soft buttery character, all pinned down by fresh, bright acidity.
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Los Vascos Organic Chardonnay, Central Valley, Chile
Los Vascos is run and managed by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), who have been operating the estate since 1988. Produced in the Colchagua region of Chile, this is a classic Chardonnay, full of clean tropical fruit with appealing citrus notes and crisp acidity and is also certified organic. Attractive aromas of melon, grapefruit and exotic fruit coupled with an appealing note of hazelnut. In the mouth, it is rich, fresh and pleasantly fruity with good structure and a long finish.
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Rupert And Rothschild Baroness Nadine Chardonnay, South Africa
The Rupert & Rothschild partnership was formed in 1997 by Dr Anthon Rupert and Baron Edmond de Rothschild who shared a vision: to produce world-class South African wines. Quite simply, this is a confident wine that oozes class and sophistication: brimming with ripe fruit, bright acidity and a creamy, rounded texture that offers exceptional value for money.
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Louis Latour Ardeche Chardonnay, France
All of Louis Latour's experience in making fine Burgundy can be found in this crisp, unoaked Chardonnay. Made in the Ardeche region close to the Rhone Valley, its bright fruit and fresh acidity shows that great Chardonnay from France is not restricted to just one region. Bright, yellow-green in colour with citrus and orchard fruit aromas and a dewy freshness. The palate is crisp, light to medium-bodied with good concentration and mid-palate texture. A very enjoyable and versatile white wine.
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Camille De Labrie Chardonnay, Vin De France
Chardonnay is not a permitted grape variety in Bordeaux so this has to be designated as a 'Vin de France'. However, don't let that fool you as this is a superb white Bordeaux made by Chateau Croix de Labrie in St Emilion. Rich and round with a core of exotic fruit and integrated oak.
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Kumeu Villages Chardonnay, Auckland, New Zealand
A personal favourite of mine and a great introduction to the Kumeu River range. A charming nose of peach and apricot with subtle vanillin undertones. Rich, round and ample on the palate with a lovely mouthfeel that leads into further white stone fruit and hints of hazelnut on the fine, long finish.
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Have you tried and loved any of these wines? Let us know in the comments section below.
For more information on Burgundy alternatives, please contact wine@bcfw.co.uk and we will be happy to assist.
