Domaine Gondard-Perrin’s 2021 Viré-Clessé “Cuvée En Combe” is a delightful white Burgundy crafted exclusively from Chardonnay, the only permitted grape in this appellation. The 2021 vintage witnessed a relatively cool and challenging growing season, bringing freshness and vibrant acidity to the wines, while maintaining Chardonnay’s expressive aromatic complexity. Sourced from vineyards in the sought-after En Combe lieu-dit, this cuvée benefits from a combination of limestone-rich clay soils and an ideal exposition that favours a nuanced mineral profile. Vinification is typically traditional, with gentle pressing and temperature-controlled fermentation, sometimes followed by partial maturation in oak to add subtle texture and depth.
Viré-Clessé is one of the newer AOCs of the Mâconnais subregion, having gained its own status in 1999. Located in southern Burgundy between Clessé and Viré villages, this area is renowned for its undulating hills and terroir marked by fossil-rich limestone, which imparts a distinctive mineral edge to its Chardonnays. The continental climate, with warm days and cool nights, enables grapes to ripen fully whilst preserving zesty natural acidity and aromatic finesse. Historically, the Viré-Clessé area has stood out for producing some of the freshest and most elegant whites in the Mâconnais, often overshadowing the more voluminous, straightforward Mâcon wines.
Pair this wine with light but flavoursome dishes that complement its freshness and minerality. Ideal partners include seafood such as grilled sea bass or scallops, but it also pairs well with local specialities like Burgundy snails in herb butter. Tried with poultry in a creamy sauce, goat cheese, or a vegetable risotto, its lively acidity will cut through richness and highlight subtle flavours.
For optimal enjoyment, serve this Viré-Clessé chilled but not overly cold, ideally between 10-12°C. Allow it a few minutes in the glass to open up, and watch as its floral, citrus and stone fruit notes blossom, supported by a gentle, lingering minerality.
