Chandon de Briailles : Pernand-Vergelesses 1er cru "Ile des Vergelesses" 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Pernand-Vergelesses 1er cru "Ile des Vergelesses" 2021 from Chandon de Briailles

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a pale gold hue, luminous and brilliant.

Nose

The nose opens with delicate aromas of white flowers and fresh citrus, enhanced by a fine mineral dimension.

Palate

On the palate, this white wine charms with its vibrancy and elegance. The structure is both taut and refined, delivering a lovely expression of freshness through to the finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Pernand-Vergelesses 1er cru is an ideal match for fine fish with a light sauce, shellfish, as well as semi-aged hard cheeses such as Comté. It also pairs beautifully with poultry in a cream sauce or a mushroom risotto.

Serving and cellaring

The Pernand-Vergelesses 1er cru "Ile des Vergelesses" 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. Light aeration for 30 minutes before serving allows the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity.

An elegant, mineral white Pernand-Vergelesses from Domaine Chandon de Briailles

The estate

Founded in 1834 in the Côte de Beaune, in Burgundy, Domaine Chandon de Briailles is a family estate belonging to the de Nicolay family. Its 13.7 to 14-hectare vineyard, spread across Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton, includes premier crus and grand crus, including Corton. Run since 2001 by Claude and François de Nicolay, the estate stands out for its Demeter-certified biodynamics since 2011, the use of draft horses, and natural winemaking that respects the terroir.

The vineyard

The Pernand-Vergelesses 1er cru "Île des Vergelesses" comes from a prestigious climat located in the northern part of the Côte de Beaune. This premier cru benefits from an ideal south-east exposure and an altitude between 270 and 285 meters. The soils alternate between marl and Middle Oxfordian limestone, giving the wine its distinctive minerality. The vineyard is farmed entirely biodynamically, with horse-drawn soil work on most parcels, encouraging deep vine rooting and the authentic expression of the terroir.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy was marked by contrasting weather conditions. After a mild winter, spring brought several frost episodes that particularly impacted Chardonnay. Summer unfolded in cool, humid conditions, requiring heightened vigilance for biodynamic estates. Despite these climatic challenges, the 2021 vintage yielded wines with lovely freshness, natural acidity and sought-after mineral tension, in a classic Burgundian style with moderate alcohol levels.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking of the Pernand-Vergelesses 1er cru "Île des Vergelesses" 2021 follows a minimalist approach that favors the expression of the terroir. The grapes are harvested by hand with rigorous selection. Fermentation occurs naturally with indigenous yeasts, without inoculation. Aging takes place over 14 to 18 months in older French oak barrels, with very limited use of new oak in order to preserve the wine’s aromatic purity and minerality. Bottling is carried out without filtration or fining, with minimal sulfur addition.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay