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Saint Veran
Saint Véran is a French appellation for wine produced in a delineated area in the Mâconnais, Burgundy’s southernmost region. Not dissimilar to neighbouring Pouilly-Fuissé, the region specialises in rich white wines. Since the appellation is not as famous as others in Burgundy’s Côte d’Or, wine lovers can enjoy excellent quality at a fantastic price.
It is undoubtedly one of the best values in France, and it is a source of delightful whites for fine restaurants and wine connoisseurs. Although you’ll find wine made with Chardonnay in almost every wine region in the world, the ones from this region of Burgundy are easy to recognise — their bold but balanced, fruit-forward but elegant.
The area overlaps slightly with Beaujolais in the south, but, unlike its southern neighbour, it is not about youthful red wines but rich Chardonnay. The region’s warm weather allows grape growers to harvest fully ripe grapes that become consistent wine — Saint Véran never disappoints.
Production
There are approximately 742 hectares of vines in Saint Veran, around the communes of Chânes, Chasselas, Davayé, Leynes, Prissé, Solutré-Pouilly and Saint-Vérand. The latter, which gave the appellation its name. The appellation was created in 1971 to protect and promote the wines made north and south of Pouilly Fuissé, the region’s most famous wine appellation.
Due to the appellation’s southern location, the weather in the area is warmer than in the rest of Burgundy, with summer temperatures averaging 20°C and mild winters as low as 2°C. Warmer conditions and proper sun exposure make the grapes in the area ripen and the wines made from them rich, concentrated and bold.
Bold, concentrated wines, especially if white, are ideal for oak ageing, so most, if not all, of this region's wines spend at least a few months in cask. The wood gives the wine complexity on the nose and palate complemented by the dairy-like scents proper of wines that undergo malo-lactic fermentation, a typical practice in the area.
Around one hundred producers make wine in the area, outputting 41.000 hectolitres of wine every vintage. The finest example is as enjoyable as the more famous wines from neighbouring Pouilly-Fuissé.
Grape Varieties and Blends
Chardonnay is the only allowed variety in Saint Veran, as it is in most of the wine regions of the Mâconnais. Ampelographers and historians believe Mâcon is Chardonnay’s ancestral home, even if it is now planted across Burgundy, all the way up north in Chablis.
Chardonnay is a versatile varietal that prefers calcareous soils, such as those found in this part of Burgundy. Although the grape can withstand colder climates, it shows its fullest potential in warm regions, where the grape expresses ripe fruit with tropical hints rather than tart, citrus flavours.
Chardonnay is the most planted white grape globally and is synonymous with white Burgundy. The appellations in the Mâconnais are extraordinary sources of the noble varietal. In sunny growing seasons, they offer wines as complex as those from northern appellations in the Côte d’Or. The best Chardonnay in the area grows in the over two hundred lieux-dit plots in the appellation’s northern and southern areas.
FAQ
Where does Saint Veran wine originate?
It is an appellation of the Mâconnaise in southern Burgundy. The region covers extensive areas north and south of Pouilly-Fuissé. This is a prime estate for growing Chardonnay, thanks to the area’s warm climate and calcareous soils. The vineyards delimited in the appellation are all around the communes of Chânes, Chasselas, Davayé, Leynes, Prissé, Solutré-Pouilly and Saint Vérand. In total, it covers 662 hectares of vines, all dedicated to Chardonnay.
What does Saint Veran wine taste like?
It is a medium to full-bodied white wine made exclusively with Chardonnay. The wines offer ripe golden apple aromas, with hints of tropical fruit in warmer vintages. The wines undergo malolactic fermentation and age in oak, so they are concentrated, rich and creamy.
Which food groups pair well with Saint Veran wine?
It pairs well with veal and white meat, roasted poultry, and pork dishes. Savoury pastries and pies are also compatible with the wine style, as are semi-hard cheese and creamy sauces. Pasta and other starchy dishes also pair well, and butter-seared seafood, from prawns and shrimp to lobster, are excellent companions for the golden wine.
