Macon-Chardonnay, Domaine Talmard

This excellent Mâcon is produced by Domaine Paul et Mallory Talmard. Founded in 1971, this was originally the estate of brothers Paul and Philibert Talmard and comprised almost 100 acres, overlapping the two communes of Uchizy and Chardonnay. These are two of the higher-quality named villages within the Mâconnais. Although the brothers initially sold their wine to the local co-op, the brothers started to domaine bottle and export in 1978. Shortly into the new millennium, the brothers divided their domain in order to give their sons and individual estate. So Mallory and his son Benjamin now have 50 acres of vineyards, predominantly within the commune of Chardonnay – yes this is the place Chardonnay rather than the grape, though it is considered to be the geographical origin of the variety – and for this reason they use the AOC “Mâcon-Chardonnay.”

This Mâcon has all the texture and complexity you might expect of white Burgunday, at a very reasonable price. It is  un-oaked with an almost crystalline purity and a subtle minerality. It is a bright, fresh wine, well-balanced and with good weight of Chardonnay fruit, apple, peach and grapefruit flavours. The fruit intensity combined with good acidity makes the wine a perfect partner for all kinds of cuisine.