The Mâconnais
Overview
The Mâconnais is a primarily white wine district in the south of Burgundy that produces mainly high-volume, high-value Chardonnay. Nearly 90% of the wine produced in Mâconnais is white, and in fact the district produces more than three times the amount of white wine than the rest of Burgundy combined. The majority of the red wine that is produced there is made from Gamay, a grape that has never had much success in the limestone soil of the region. If youre scanning labels, a wine from Mâconnais is generally called a Mâcon. A Chardonnay from Mâconnais, for example, is called a Mâcon Blanc.
Geography
The Mâconnais is huge wine region directly north of Beaujolais in the south of Burgundy.
Temperature
The climate here is similar to the Côte Chalonnais. Due to its more southern location, however, the Mâconnais experiences more of a Mediterranean influence and is prone to the occasional storm.
Topography
The north of Mâconnais is filled with the same rolling hills and gentle slopes and the Côte Chalonnaise. Farther form the Côte, however, youll find steeper slopes and sharper hilltops as you approach Beaujolais to the south.
Terroir
The soil here consists of alluvium, clay, or sandy clay over a limestone base. The limestone is much less suited to the Gamay grape than the granite soil of the more southern Beaujolais, but it provides an ideal environment for the widespread Chardonnay.
The odd Chardonnay here takes on oak from a barrel, but most of the white wine here is aged in stainless steel and bottled early for freshness. Fresh and fruity with a crisp acidity, Mâcon Blancs are best enjoyed young.
