Mâconnais Wine
The renowned English wine journalist Neal Martin penned (key-boarded?) an interesting article last year entitled 'No Oxymoron – Affordable Burgundy' in which he lamented recent stratospheric price increases on the Côte d'Or and praised "...the more rationally priced enclaves of production, not least Chablis and Mâconnais." He has a point and it is to the north and south of Burgundy we head when looking for high quality wines that aren't prohibitively costly. A case in point is Domaine de Roncevaux based in the village of Davayé in the appellation of Pouilly-Fuissé. Here former electrical engineer Eric Savaret crafts some excellent white wines characterised by their vibrancy and pure expression of fruit. His Mâcon-Vergisson 'La Roche' has delicate white currant and wild flower aromas and a bright orchard fruit palate underscored by citrus notes and a fresh acidity. His Pouilly-Fuissé 'Mineralys' has ripe apple scents and flavours and a long, taut, elegant finish. Both drink well from release but can readily support 2-3 years bottle age.