Saint-Véran

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The geographical area lies within the natural region of the Monts du Mâconnais, dominated by the emblematic limestone outcrops of Solutré and Vergisson and the Mont de Pouilly.
• The soils, of great diversity developed over varied substrates, are predominantly clay-limestone across the Saint-Véran appellation.
• The plots occupy hillsides of varying steepness, generally facing the Saône plain and the south, at altitudes of between 200 and 450 metres.
• The Saint-Véran appellation extends across 7 communes in the département of Saône-et-Loire, approximately 10 kilometres south-west of Mâcon.
• The natural barrier of the Monts du Charollais partly shields the vines from moist oceanic influences and allows mild air currents from the south, channelled through the Rhône corridor, to reach the vineyards.

• The vineyard was planted mainly with Gamay until the eighteenth century, this variety having subsequently been supplanted by Chardonnay from the end of the phylloxera crisis onwards.
• The controlled appellation of origin «Saint-Véran» was recognised by the decree of 6 January 1971, following a dossier led by the Amicale des Producteurs de Vin Blanc, founded in 1947.
• The wines express localised nuances through some forty climat names — the term used locally for a named vineyard site — which are usually appended to the cuvée name.

• The appearance is generally a fine green-gold, and the wine, refined in character, often shows delicate nuances of white flowers and white-fleshed fruit.
• After a few years of ageing, the wine frequently develops notes of hazelnut or toasted almond, lifted by hints of honey, vanilla, or flint.
• The palate is full and complex, with a successful balance between power and elegance.

• The eastward orientation of the hillsides shelters the vines from westerly winds and allows warming from the first rays of sunlight at dawn.
• The distinctive limestone bedrock, over which varied soils have formed, promotes a harmonious yet varied development of Chardonnay's aromatic range.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Dénominations géographiques complémentaires

• Saint-Véran complété par une dénomination de climat AOC (PDO)

All appellations in France

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF) — approved 29 novembre 2021, JORF 5 décembre 2021
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — BIVB