Wines Mâcon and Mâcon-Villages Domaine S Crêts - Climat 'L'Échenault de Serre' - 2022

Viniou Reviews

Domaine S Crêts’ 2022 Cuvée Climat ‘L’Échenault de Serre’ is a delightful white wine from the heart of the Mâconnais, a renowned subregion in southern Burgundy. Produced under the Mâcon et mâcon-villages AOC, this wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay, the emblematic white grape of Burgundy. The 2022 vintage is marked by its freshness, elegance, and the vibrancy typical of the year. The terroir here imparts minerality and finesse, with clay-limestone soils lending both structure and a subtle salinity to the wine. Domaine S Crêts follows organic practices, ensuring the expression of both grape and place remain pure and unadulterated. This cuvée, ‘L’Échenault de Serre’, tends to show notes of crisp orchard fruit—apple, pear—alongside citrus, white flowers, and a touch of nuttiness thanks to careful vinification.

The Mâconnais is cherished for its rolling hills, sun-drenched slopes, and relatively warm climate compared to the rest of Burgundy. This results in Chardonnays that are round, energetic, and occasionally richer than their northern counterparts, all the while preserving bright acidity. Historically, the region has evolved from its monastic roots, with a renewed focus on quality and sustainable practices over the past decades. The limestone-rich soils, reminiscent of those further north in Burgundy, provide the wines with tension and an enticing mineral backbone.

For pairings, this style of Mâcon-Villages shines alongside delicate fish dishes, like sole meunière or pan-seared trout. It complements goat cheeses such as Crottin de Chavignol, and doesn’t overpower vegetable-driven cuisine—think spring risotto with asparagus, or soft herb omelette. For a regional touch, try it with the classic Burgundy dish, ‘Poulet à la crème’.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine chilled but not too cold, ideally around 10-12°C. This allows the wine’s subtle aromatic complexity and refreshing texture to emerge gracefully. Decanting is not necessary, but allowing the wine a few minutes in the glass will help it open up more fully.