Viniou Reviews
The Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau Saint-Véran Cuvée La Roche 2022 is an excellent expression of southern Burgundy’s white wines. This cuvée is crafted from 100% Chardonnay, typical of the Saint-Véran appellation, showcasing grapes from vineyards with distinctive limestone soils. 2022 was a favourable vintage in the Mâconnais, allowing for a balance of ripeness and freshness. The wine is vinified with careful attention to detail, likely undergoing gentle pressing and fermentation, followed by ageing on fine lees to add complexity and texture. Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau is known for their organic principles, ensuring the vineyard's health and the purest expression of terroir in the glass.
Located at the southern edge of Burgundy, the Mâconnais region is celebrated for producing charming and accessible white wines, often with a fruit-forward profile and vibrant minerality. Saint-Véran, granted AOC status in 1971, sits across both sides of the stunning Solutré rock, which gives its name to this cuvée. The region’s climate is semi-continental with Mediterranean influences, providing warm days and cool nights that favour slow ripening, ensuring wines retain both vivacity and aromatic complexity. The limestone and clay soils impart characteristic tension and structure to the wines, making them both refreshing and suitable for short to medium ageing.
This Saint-Véran would pair beautifully with classic Burgundian dishes such as poulet de Bresse à la crème or escargots de Bourgogne, where its citrus notes and minerality accent creamy textures and savoury nuances. It would also complement grilled seafood, seared scallops, or a simple goat’s cheese salad, highlighting its fresh acidity and delicate orchard fruit. For more contemporary pairings, consider Thai-style fish cakes or vegetable risotto.
To enjoy this wine at its best, serve it lightly chilled, ideally at 10-12°C. This temperature range allows the aromatic profile to open up while preserving the wine’s crispness and refined minerality. Decanting for 30 minutes can further enhance its subtle complexity and aromatic range.
