Saint-Veran
Saint-Véran is the southernmost appellation of the Mâconnais region of Burgundy, and consists of two areas, divided by the lands of Pouilly-Fuissé, that produce a dry white wine. Named after the town of Saint-Vérand which is included inside its jurisdiction, an administrative error in 1971, the year of the formation of the AOC, meant that Saint-Véran lost the‘d’ at the end of its name.
Saint-Véran produces both white and red wines, but due to its unique position as the most southern appellation of Burgundy, it technically overlaps into the northern boundary of Beaujolais, meaning that some of its communes produce reds to be sold as Beaujolais Cru, but whites to be sold as Burgundian, due to the inferred superiority over the more generic Beaujolais Blanc AOC.
Saint-Véran whites are generally well-regarded amongst the wine community, indeed their qualities were realised prior to its official classification as an appellation in 1971 by many aficionados.
They are all made from Chardonnay variety in the customary Burgundy fashion, but are known to be slightly more full-bodied than other varieties of white Burgundy. Notable changes occur during aging: Saint-Véran whites go from a floral and fruity youth to a nuttier and honeyed maturity. As with many wines from the Mâconnais region they also often display notes of minerality, something which is greatly desired.
Prices:
Bottle
£13.95
Bottle 12 x 75cl 71cs
Bottle
£25.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 106cs
Will Heslop - Wine Buyer
Bottle
£27.50
Bottle 12 x 75cl 46cs
Jasper Morris, MW - Wine Buyer
Poor spring with difficult flowering, though this varied from one vineyard to another. Old vines suffered worse. The reds were later to flower, with better results, and for the first time were picked after the whites, which needed to be harvested quickly before rot set in. The balance of the whites has ended up quite similar to 2012, with the same acidity but the fruit more exuberant in style. One technical note on quality: Olivier presses his whites for much longer now, which intensifies the dry extract and will preserve longevity.
Bottle
£28.95
Bottle 6 x 75cl 4cs
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer
This is more aromatic and carefree than, say, Les Cras, with stone fruit and just a hint of coconut on the nose. It is ripe and generous, but with plenty of refreshing acidity and, again, a sense of more to come over the next five years (and beyond) thanks to its remarkable concentration. The finish is long and balanced, leaving no doubt about this wine’s pedigree.
Will Heslop - Wine Buyer
Olivier, who normally picks after his neighbours, was out harvesting before them this year, starting at the end of August. The hot, dry wind in that period really concentrated both the sugars and the acidity in the grapes. Everything ripened rapidly so Olivier made sure to privilege his best terroirs, and completed the harvest in five fewer days than usual.