Sourced from one of the region’s award-winning cooperative producers, North Berkeley Imports’ special selection of Mâcon-Villages hits all the sweet spots—older-vine, succulent fruit, a tangy minerality pulled from the area’s chalky soils and balanced alcohol. We select fruit from a series of hillside vineyards that border the appellation of Saint-Veran, one of the region’s top appellations and terroirs. Soils here are mineral-rich, which contributes to the wine a lacy texture and tangy, sea-salty finish. This is value Chardonnay with a serious soul, a blanc that will seduce and astound those who claim allegiance to Côte de Beaune whites.

VINEYARDS: Vineyards are located on hillsides some 900 feet above sea level or higher, not far from the appellation of Saint-Veran. Soils are a combination of chalk and clay.

AGE OF VINES: 30 to 50 years

WINEMAKING: Hand-harvested. Grapes are pressed full-cluster then fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. Aged primarily in tank; some 10% of the wine is aged in older French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

TASTING IMPRESSIONS: Aromas of fresh herbs, ripe lemons, crushed stones, lime zest. Ripe and balanced; thirst-quenching.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: Fresh salads; shellfish (oysters or clams); roasted chicken with fresh herbs