Domaine Chermette Beaujolais Origine Vieilles Vignes 2021

Domaine Chermette Beaujolais Origine Vieilles Vignes is an unchaptalised, old-vine Gamay that helped restore the reputation of Beaujolais made without shortcuts.

Beaujolais sits at the southern end of Burgundy, where Gamay is planted on granite, sand and clay, and the regional appellation covers the villages below the ten crus. Domaine Chermette works from Le Vissoux at Saint-Vérand, and this cuvée, long known as Cuvée Traditionnelle Vieilles Vignes, was first bottled in 1986 at the request of Jean Brouilly, a chef in nearby Tarare. It quickly became a reference for what non-cru Beaujolais could be. The fruit comes from four hectares of densely planted vines at Saint-Vérand, rooted in a pocket of dark granite, with vine age ranging from 35 to 85 years. Fermentation is wild, sulphur additions are kept low, chaptalisation is avoided altogether, and the wine is bottled unfiltered, which accounts for its unusual depth and mineral cut for the level.

It is ready now and will hold for several years, and suits charcuterie, roast chicken or a mushroom tart. Serve it a touch cool, around 16 degrees.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.