Mâcon

France · AOC · Burgundy

Styles

Natural factors

91 communes in total, 80 of which form the 'Villages' zone, lying between the Saône plain to the east and the Grosne valley to the west.
The structure consists of N-NE/S-SW trending ridges, tilted eastward, exposing in succession a Palaeozoic granitic or schistose basement followed by Triassic and Jurassic layers.
White wines are restricted to calcareous substrates; the 'Villages' designation favours east- and south-facing exposures for the best mesoclimatic conditions.

Human factors

Vine-growing is documented from the 3rd century AD; the appellations expanded during the Middle Ages through the abbeys of Cluny and Tournus; AOC status was granted in 1937.
From 1620 onward, 'petit gamay' was used for reds; chardonnay B was planted at the same period for whites, trained according to the local 'taille à queue' method. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Product characteristics

Whites: yellow-green in colour, fresh and aromatic, enjoyable young; Villages wines show aromas of white flowers, fresh fruit, and citrus nuances.
Reds: aromas of blackcurrant and raspberry with spiced and mineral nuances, well-balanced tannins; rosés are fresh and fruit-driven.

Terroir / wine link

Granitic hillside soils yield aromatic freshness, fruitiness, and body in the reds; marly and clay-silt soils yield freshness and balance in the whites. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.