Presentation
This historic cooperative in the Mâconnais brings together passionate growers united by a shared vision: to showcase the full richness and diversity of southern Burgundy’s terroirs. The cave focuses primarily on Chardonnay, cultivated on classic limestone-clay soils that impart freshness and finesse. Through a commitment to sustainable farming and careful grape selection, the cave ensures consistent quality across its range. Vinification is mostly carried out in stainless steel to preserve fruit purity, while select cuvées are aged partially in oak barrels for added complexity. The wines reflect the cooperative’s mission to offer honest, terroir-driven expressions of the Mâconnais bright and mineral Chardonnays with notes of white fruit and crisp citrus, designed to be both expressive and approachable.
Location
The “Les Quarts” cuvée is produced by the Cave des Grands Crus Blancs, a cooperative founded in 1929 by winegrowers from Vinzelles and Loché. It comes from the AOP Pouilly-Vinzelles, a small yet prestigious appellation located in the heart of the Mâconnais. Dedicated exclusively to Chardonnay, the appellation is known for producing wines of great finesse and minerality.
Terroir
This wine hails from the iconic Les Quarts vineyard, considered the benchmark terroir of the appellation. The vines, aged between 40 and 70 years, are planted on south-east facing slopes and thrive in lively clay-limestone soils, rich in iron elements from the Upper Bajocian era. These conditions give rise to wines with exceptional complexity, elegance, and longevity.
In the vineyard
The soils are a blend of chalk and silica-rich clay, offering excellent drainage. Combined with the advanced age of the vines and their south-eastern exposure, this results in a crystalline expression of the terroir, with distinct mineral tension.
Harvest
The grapes are hand-harvested and gently pressed as whole clusters, after light crushing, to ensure the most delicate extraction.
Winemaking
From harvest to bottling, every stage follows a traditional, low-intervention approach, aimed at preserving the wine’s purity and sense of place.
Ageing
Ageing is carried out traditionally: the wine matures for 11 months in 228-liter oak barrels, sometimes followed by 6 additional months in stainless steel tanks for natural clarification. This technique enhances the wine’s structure and finesse without overshadowing its fruit character or minerality.
Varietal
Chardonnay : 100%
Serving
Serve ideally between 10 and 12 °C (50–54 °F) to best reveal its delicate aromas and refined texture.
Ageing potential
5 to 10 years
Tasting
This Pouilly-Vinzelles displays a light golden robe with green highlights. The nose is elegant and aromatic, revealing notes of pink grapefruit, white flowers, and a subtle mineral signature. On the palate, it is both intensely fresh and refined, with lively tension and a persistent, balanced finish that blends opulence with finesse.
Visual appearance
Light gold, green glints
At nose
Citrus (pink grapefruit), floral notes, delicate minerality
On the palate
Crisp, tense, refined, long finish
Food pairings
Elegant and versatile, this white wine pairs beautifully with:
Gourmet salads (e.g., smoked duck breast, carpaccio)
Fish or shellfish dishes
Fine cuisine with mineral or iodized accents