Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc AOP - Château de Melin

In the glass, the Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc AOP - Château de Melin shines in a clear straw yellow with fine, silvery reflections. As soon as it is swirled, a multi-layered bouquet of juicy apples, ripe grapefruit and fresh lemon unfolds. Subtle notes of hay and toasted nuts add elegant accents and give the cuvée depth and tension.

On the nose, it reveals a delicate spiciness reminiscent of white peppercorns, a hint of nutmeg and dried herbs. Behind this are delicate hints of citrus zest and subtle floral aromas, lending the bouquet an airy lightness. Each breath feels precise and clear, yet irresistibly inviting.

On the palate, this Chardonnay from the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune is dry and precise. Fresh, lively acidity carries the wine across the entire palate and ensures a taut, clear flow. The fruit of apple, lemon and grapefruit appears juicy and direct, while fine nutty nuances and a touch of hay add an elegant, slightly savory dimension.

The structure is balanced and straightforward: medium-bodied, with clear contours and a precise citrus core. The texture glides silkily across the palate without heaviness, leaving a pleasantly saline trace on the finish that reflects the mineral character of the soils. The finish remains long, cool and citrus-fresh, with a delicate echo of nuts.

• Wine colour: clear, radiant white wine
• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay, made as a single-varietal wine
• Origin: Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Taste: dry, fresh, with a pronounced mineral character
• Aromas: apple, grapefruit, lemon, hay, nuts, fine spices

The style of this wine is inspired by classic Burgundy: finesse rather than opulence, clarity rather than excess. The acidity is precise and lively without harshness, forming the backbone of the entire presentation. Tannins play no role in this white wine; instead, it impresses with a finely chiselled structure and elegant minerality.

1. Aroma: citrus fruit, apple, hay, fine spices
2. Palate: dry, clear, mineral, with juicy fruit
3. Texture: silky, taut, with a cool, fresh finish
4. Style: classic Burgundian Chardonnay with finesse

Production of the Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc AOP - Château de Melin

The grapes for this Chardonnay come from the higher-altitude vineyards of the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune in the heart of Burgundy. The climate here is slightly cooler than in the vineyards of the Côte d’Or, giving the grapes a longer ripening period and impressive aromatic expression. Warm days alternate with cool nights, ensuring taut freshness and clear fruit structure.

The soils consist predominantly of limestone and marl with stony inclusions. These sparse soils encourage the vines to develop deep root systems and produce wines with pronounced minerality. The Chardonnay from this site is therefore particularly precise, cool and elegant, with marked citrus freshness and subtle nuttiness.

The grapes are carefully harvested by hand, bunch by bunch. Strict selection already takes place in the vineyard, ensuring that only fully ripe, aromatically concentrated grapes reach the cellar. Gentle handling preserves the delicate aromas of citrus fruits, apples and subtle floral notes.

In the cellar, Château de Melin follows a winemaking approach that places clarity and terroir at the forefront. The Chardonnay undergoes gentle pressing, followed by temperature-controlled fermentation that preserves its fine interplay of aromas. Maturation follows traditional Burgundian practice, depending on the vintage using a combination of stainless-steel tanks and oak, always with the aim of emphasising finesse and balance.

Contact with fine lees gives the wine a delicate creaminess and additional complexity without compromising its freshness. The winemaker’s style focuses on elegance, precision and fidelity to the origin: not overt oak, but a finely integrated, restrained interplay that harmoniously unites fruit, acidity and minerality.

Serving suggestions for the Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc AOP - Château de Melin

This Burgundian Chardonnay shows its strengths particularly impressively when paired with refined dishes from light cuisine. Its clear, citrus-fresh character is an excellent match for light dishes with finely balanced aromas.

• Ideal with: light-coloured and delicate dishes
• Excellent with: grilled or steamed fish, seafood
• Delicious with: poultry in a delicate sauce, veal, vegetarian vegetable dishes
• A harmonious match for: mild soft cheeses, goat’s cheese, fresh herbs

This wine is particularly harmonious with dishes featuring lemon or herbal notes, such as poached fish with a delicate herb sauce, vegetable risotto or delicate terrines. Its lively acidity refreshes creamy components while also highlighting the seasoning of the dish.

As an atmospheric companion, the wine is an excellent choice for elegant aperitif moments, festive meals with friends or special occasions calling for a characterful, stylish white wine. It is also an ideal partner for starters and delicate main courses from light cuisine as part of a multi-course menu.

The ideal serving temperature is 8 to 10 °C. In a Burgundy glass, this wine’s aromas unfold particularly impressively; the larger volume of the glass allows the citrus and apple notes, as well as the nutty and spicy nuances, to express themselves intensely.

When properly stored in a cool, dark environment at a constant temperature, this Chardonnay from the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune can be enjoyed over several years. Within approximately six years of the vintage, it shows a fascinating evolution: the fresh citrus fruit remains present, while nutty and slightly more mature aromas gently deepen. It therefore offers impressive drinking pleasure both now and in the years to come.

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