Affordable White Burgundy from Yannick Paquet
Year after year, our top Burgundy Best Buy
GRAPE VARIETAL
100% Chardonnay
APPELLATION
Sourced from declassified areas in Burgundy, including young vine holdings from some of Yannick’ best vineyard parcels
TERROIR
Clay and marl soils — southwest facing vineyards — Average 30 year old vines
VINIFICATION
Hyper-traditional Burgundy, from harvest to bottle — Entirely hand harvested — gentle pneumatic pressing
— Yannick uses indigenous to fully preserve the character of the terroir — aged in well-used neutral oak barrels, provides texture without any “oaky” notes
TASTING NOTES
Smooth and supple on the palate thanks to the neutral oak — Lemon, yellow apple and
FOOD PAIRING
Perfect for your next dinner party or just simply a glass on the porch or patio. Will pair like a champ with any of your favorite white-fleshed seafood, grilled and roasted poultry, and pan tossed summer veggies
When you think of super-star Chardonnay without the hefty price tag, the Mâcon region in Burgundy is the place to look. Tucked away in southern Burgundy, the Mâcon is a treasure trove of Chardonnay that delivers enormous quality and character for tiny cash. Chardonnay thrives here, and the region offers some of the best value in white Burgundy!
What’s interesting about the Mâcon is how its terroir and climate set it apart from the Côte d’Or. The Mâcon enjoys a warmer climate and different soil composition, with more clay mixed into the limestone base. While the Côte d’Or Chardonnays are known for their intensity and minerality, those from the Mâcon tend to be more generous and approachable — think fruit-forward flavors with a refreshing balance of minerality.
As you dive deeper into Mâcon viticulture, you’ll find several well-known villages that are world-famous for Chardonnay. Places like Pouilly-Fuissé, St Véran, and Pouilly-Vinzelles are particularly noteworthy, and recently, several vineyards in these villages have been elevated to Premier Cru status. Despite this upgrade, these wines remain a steal compared to Premier Crus from other Burgundy regions, so you’re getting top-notch quality that won’t empty your wallet.
Our friend Yannick Paquet at a recent AWM Wine Dinner
If you’ve shopped at the AWM for a while, you’re probably familiar with the wines of my friend Yannick Paquet at Domaine des Granges. Years ago, with my late friend Craig Baker, I had the pleasure of meeting Yannick at his winery in the village of Fuissé. Since then, his wines have become a rock-solid staple on the AWM Burgundy shelf.
A third-generation vigneron, Yannick continues his family’s vinous heritage by deftly combining old-school Burgundy tradition with contemporary sensibility and modern methods. He crafts his wines under several labels: Domaine des Granges, Domaine Jean-Paul Paquet (a nod to his dad), Domaine du Château de Chaintré, Domaine Fussiacus, and Domaine Les Vieux-Murs.
Misty morning at one of Yannick’s Burgundy vineyards
In your glass, this wine will remind you of just how much you love White Burgundy. Thanks to the property’s higher elevation and the calcareous soil, there’s a beautiful lift and nerve in perfect balance with a creamy richness.
Golden apple and orchard fruits meet notes of citrus, all joining in a fresh and vibrant palate. This versatile Chardonnay is a delight on its own and will shine when paired with roasted or grilled chicken, lighter pork dishes, and a wide variety of fish and shellfish.
Chardonnay lover? Burgundy lover? Stock up on this outstanding value from one of our favorite independent vignerons.