The Macônnais vineyard The Mâconnais vineyard marks the southern border of Burgundy. It is 35km in length, lying between Sennecey-le-Grand and Saint-Vérand, and 10km wide, bordered in the west by the valley of the Grosne and in the east by the valley of the Saone. With the exception of the village of Lugny, the outlying area, and the southern part of the vineyard which correspond to village A.O.C. terroirs.→ The soil : The Mâconnais landscape is a succession of hills whose east/south-east exposure is ideal for growing vines. Several types of soils can be identified (link to the "terroirs" section) → The climate : The continental climate which characterises the whole region is particularly favourable to good maturation of the grapes. → The grape variety : Until the 18th century, the Mâconnais was planted with Gamay. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was supplanted by the Chardonnay, as the soil was very much to its liking. Chardonnay now accounts for over 80% of plantations. (Link to the "grape variety" section) → The appellations : • MÂCON • MÂCON-VILLAGES • POUILLY-FUISSE • POUILLY-LOCHÉ • POUILLY-VINZELLES • SAINT-VÉRAN • VIRÉ-CLESSÉ Like all the vineyards of Burgundy, the Mâconnais vineyard produces the whole range of regional appellations: Bourgogne, Bourgogne Aligoté, Bourgogne Passe-tout-grain, Crémant de Bourgogne. |
