2019 Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc, Clos Berthet, 1er Cru, Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine, Burgundy 

Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine

Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine is situated in the heart of the Côte de Beaune, in Burgundy, known for producing some of the world’s finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.

The domaine has a long and storied history that dates back to the 18th century when the Dubreuil family founded it. In 1985, Christine Dubreuil took over the estate and has played a significant role in modernising and elevating winemaking practices.

Several vineyards are operated across the estate in some of the most prestigious appellations in Burgundy, including Pernand Vergelesses, Corton, and Pommard. These are planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, the primary varietals used in Burgundy wine production.

The winemaking philosophy at Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine emphasises traditional and meticulous techniques. They focus on terroir expression, which involves careful attention to the specific characteristics of each vineyard. The use of oak barrels for ageing is standard, emphasising using French oak to impart subtle flavours and textures to the wines.

The domaine produces a range of Burgundy wines, both white and red. These wines often showcase the elegance, finesse, and complexity typical of Burgundian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Some of their notable cuvées may include Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines from renowned appellations like Corton-Charlemagne, Pommard, and Aloxe-Corton.

Pernand Vergelesses

Pernand-Vergelesses is a beautiful, small village tucked away behind the hill of Corton. Coming from Beaune, you have the Vergelesses and excellent Ile des Vergelesses vineyards on your left, facing due east, and the Corton-Charlemagne vineyards on the right, facing south-west. The red wines of Pernand (60 percent of production), excepting the two Vergelesses vineyards, can be on the austere side while the whites are racy and mineral.

Pernand-Vergelesses is an excellent source for fine Burgundy at a relatively affordable price. Jadot have registered their own name, Le Clos de la Croix de Pierre (The Stone Cross), in a vineyard which is shown on the maps as En Caradeux, facing the mighty hill of Corton. The lower part of the slope is an excellent site for Pinot Noir, while whites are grown on lighter soils higher up.

• 138 hectares of village Pernand-Vergelesses and 57 hectares of Premier Cru
• Recommended producers: Chandon de Briailles, Sylvain Loichet, Louis Jadot

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or.

Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.

It is quantitatively important in California and Australia, is widely planted in Chile and South Africa, and is the second most widely planted grape in New Zealand. In warm climates Chardonnay has a tendency to develop very high sugar levels during the final stages of ripening and this can occur at the expense of acidity. Late picking is a common problem and can result in blowsy and flabby wines that lack structure and definition.

Recently in the New World, we have seen a move towards more elegant, better- balanced and less oak-driven Chardonnays, and this is to be welcomed.