COUNTRY :
France
REGION :
Burgundy
PRODUCTION :
François de Nicolay
Domaine Chandon de Briailles has been in the family since 1834. Initially there were only the Savigny-lès-Beaune and Pernand-Verglesses vineyards. Coming from two mono-varietals (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) our wines strongly express all the authenticity of their terroir. Our Grands Crus are cultivated in the traditional method with the use of our own plough horses that unpack and give oxygen to the soils. This allows the sub-soil micro-life beneath to help feed and give nutrients to our vines.
Our philosophy is a holistic respect for life that translates to balanced, healthy grapes with the capacity to produce vibrant, pure and seductive wines, so in 2005 we completely converted to biodynamic farming. We applied for certification with EcoCert and Demeter, which we received in 2011. The longer we continue farming in this way, we can see the difference in the vines. They grow differently; they seem more alive and healthy, and at harvest they are better balanced between acidity and aromas.
We wanted to expand the effort beyond Chandon de Briailles, so came to be the Maison de Nicolay project. We purchase whole grapes and un-fermented grape juice from neighboring vineyards who are certified biodynamic or in the process. After inspecting the grapes during veraison and harvest, we make a selection that can support elevage without added sulphur or yeasts- wines from pure grape must. The grapes ferment and mature in our Savigny Les Beaune cellar (a very old cave), without pumpover, filtration, or sulfur and are bottled by hand via the “chevre a deux becs” method. In this way we are able to preserve the wine’s freshness and allow the terroir to express itself clearly.
Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Rouge
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: east facing, Les Vergelesses
Soil: clay heavy
Average Age of Vines:
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: whole bunch spontaneous fermentation in cement and open oak vats with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 18 months in used oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Mercurey Rouge
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Vineyard:
Soil: clay heavy
Average Age of Vines: 20 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: partially destemmed, spontaneous fermentation in used oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 12-18 months in used oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Macon Villages
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Chardonnay
Vineyard:
Soil: limestone, clay
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in barriques
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Savigny-Les-Beaune Les Vermots
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Chardonnay
Vineyard:
Soil: limestone, chalk
Average Age of Vines: 30 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in used 500 L barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 12 months in oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Mercurey Les Montelons
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Chardonnay
Vineyard: single vineyard, Les Montelons
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines:
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in used 500 L barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 12 months in oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Rully Les Maizieres
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Chardonnay
Vineyard:
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 10 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in used 500 L barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 14 months in oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Bourgogne Rouge
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: two parcels
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: whole bunch, spontaneous fermentation in used barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 18 months in oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Objectif Bulles
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay
Average Age of Vines:
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking:
Aging: méthode ancestrale
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: low
Ladoix “Les Briquottes”
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Size:
Soil: chalk
Average Age of Vines: 30 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in cement with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 18 months in oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: low
Coteaux de Champlitte Rouge
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay
Average Age of Vines: 30 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: two week spontaneous fermentation in cement with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 18 months
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: low
Coteaux de Champlitte Blanc
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay
Average Age of Vines: 30 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 18 months in oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: low
Clos Vougeot Rouge
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay
Average Age of Vines:
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking:
Aging:
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: low
Bouzeron Blanc
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Aligoté
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay
Average Age of Vines: 30 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in oak barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 14 months in oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: low
Chablis 1er Cru “Vau De Vey”
Region: Burgundy
Grape: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: fermentation in stainless steel
Aging: in barriques
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Côte de Nuits “Aux Montagnes”
Region: Burgundy
Grape: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Size: 1 hectare
Soil: calcareous clay
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: hby hand
Winemaking: cold maceration, fermentation in stainless steel
Aging: 24 months in barriques
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Mâcon Azé
Region: Burgundy
Grape: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: fermentation in stainless steel
Aging: in barriques
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Beaujolais Cuvée des “Beaux Jours”
Region: Burgundy
Grape: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: semi-carbonic maceration in stainless steel
Aging: in barriques
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Ladoix 1er Cru “Les Gréchons”
Region: Burgundy
Grape: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: fermentation in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in barriques
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Mercurey “Les Montelons”
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay
Average Age of Vines: 20 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: partially destemmed, direct press, 15-21 day spontaneous fermentation in old oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 12-18 months in old oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Côtes de Beaune “La Grand Châtelaine”
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay
Average Age of Vines: 30 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in old oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 12 months in old oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Saint-Romain
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay
Average Age of Vines: 35 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in old oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 10 months in old oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Hautes-Côtes de Beaune “En Champans”
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size:
Soil: clay
Average Age of Vines: 20 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: pontaneous fermentation in old oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 12 months in old oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Ladoix “Les Vris”
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size:
Soil: calcareous clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 35 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 6 month spontaneous fermentation in old oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 10-12 months in old oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru “Aux Clous”
Region: Burgundy
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Size:
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 30 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 15-21 day spontaneous fermentation in old oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 16 months in old oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none