France · AOCs
Mâconnais
Generous, sun-warmed Chardonnay from Burgundy's southern end.
The warmest slice of Burgundy, the Mâconnais makes rounder, riper Chardonnay than the Côte d'Or — Pouilly-Fuissé at the top, Saint-Véran and Viré-Clessé close behind. The dramatic limestone rocks of Solutré and Vergisson loom over the best sites.
Président Mitterrand climbed it yearly.
ClimateSemi-continental, warmer
Altitude200–400 m
Grapes
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Aligoté, Gamay, César
Soils
LimestoneClay-Limestone
The Solutré cliff has prehistoric horse-hunting sites at its base.
