Presentation
The Domaine Baudouin Millet, founded in the 1980s in Tonnerre, is the legacy of a bold reconversion, transforming cereal lands into a vineyard exclusively dedicated to Chardonnay. Unlike many domains in Chablis located further north, Baudouin Millet benefits from a slightly warmer climate, promoting a more complete maturity of the grapes. Its 16 hectares of vines, mostly in Petit Chablis and Chablis, are rooted in Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils, offering a beautiful mineral tension to the wines. Committed to sustainable viticulture, the domain practices meticulous soil work and controlled grassing to preserve biodiversity and limit erosion. The vinifications favor stainless steel to enhance the freshness and pure expression of the fruit, a choice that contrasts with more traditional domains that opt for wood aging. The result: crystalline, tense, and precise wines, with bright aromas of citrus and white flowers, distinguished by exceptional vivacity and clarity.
Location
Domaine Baudouin Millet’s Bourgogne “Les Régionales” comes from parcels located just outside the Chablis appellation boundaries, near the village of Tonnerre. These vineyards, classified as regional AOC, benefit from conditions very similar to Chablis—cool nights, sunny days, and good natural airflow. The moderate elevation and south to southeast exposures allow the Chardonnay to ripen gradually and evenly. The result is a fresh, accessible wine that clearly reflects the northern Burgundy character and the purity of the grape.
Terroir
The soils are composed of light clay over a limestone subsoil, with traces of grey marl typical of the Yonne region. Though softer than the more structured Premier or Grand Cru sites, this terroir still allows Chardonnay to express citrusy freshness and subtle minerality. The limestone helps maintain natural acidity and provides a vibrant backbone. The resulting wine offers aromas of ripe lemon, white flowers, crisp apple, and a touch of chalky salinity on the finish. A clean, expressive terroir for everyday Burgundy drinking.
In the vineyard
The estate applies the same sustainable philosophy to its regional parcels as it does to its top crus. Soils are worked mechanically, without herbicides, and grass cover is encouraged to prevent erosion and support biodiversity. Plant protection is minimal and adjusted each year to the climate. Vineyard work is mostly done by hand, ensuring healthy fruit and balanced yields. The same attention to detail applies here as with the domaine’s Chablis, producing a wine that is true to its origin and clean in style.
Harvest
Harvesting is done either by hand or machine, depending on the plot, with rigorous sorting at the winery. Chardonnay is picked at optimal ripeness to maintain freshness and aromatic clarity. Grapes are gently pressed to extract only the cleanest juice. This careful approach ensures bright aromatics and a naturally drinkable style. Even for a regional wine, the same level of care is taken in the vineyard and cellar to produce a wine that’s honest, fresh, and enjoyable.
Winemaking
Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, at low temperatures to preserve fruit and freshness. No commercial yeasts are added, allowing native yeasts to express the wine’s character.
Ageing
The wine is aged on fine lees for 6 to 8 months without stirring, keeping it light and fresh, with a subtle roundness. It is then lightly filtered and bottled without fining. The result is a pure, precise white Burgundy, made with the same care as more prestigious appellations.
Varietal
Chardonnay : 100%
Specifications
Age of vines : 35 years old
Serving
Serving temperature: 12–14°C
Ageing potential
2 to 3 years
Tasting
This Bourgogne shows a pale gold robe with silver-green highlights. The nose is rich, combining aromas of freshly cut herbs, medicinal plants, lemon, and stony minerality. On the palate, it offers friendly acidity, a refined structure, and a lovely fruity evolution. Freshness and indulgence are perfectly balanced.
Visual appearance
Pale gold with silver-green reflections
At nose
Cut grass, herbal notes, lemon zest, stony minerality
On the palate
Bright acidity, fine structure, juicy fruit, with both freshness and roundness
Food pairings
This white Bourgogne is ideal for light, original food pairings. It works beautifully with a warm shrimp and pink grapefruit salad dressed with fresh ginger vinaigrette. It also pairs with a zucchini tart with goat cheese and lemon zest, highlighting the wine’s brightness. On the sweet side, try it with a basil-lime sorbet and fresh fruit—a refreshing and herbal dessert match. A versatile white wine, easy to enjoy and open to creative food ideas.
