Du Grappin Mâcon-Villages 2022

Le Grappin was founded in 2011 by Emma and Andrew Nielsen, an Australian couple based in Beaune who make natural wines with a light touch from fruit sourced across Burgundy. Andrew trained in California and Burgundy before setting up on his own, and the wines are made with minimal intervention and low sulphur. This Mâcon-Villages comes from the warmer southern end of Burgundy, where Chardonnay ripens more fully than in the Côte d'Or and the limestone and clay soils give a rounder, fruit forward style. The southern Mâconnais climate brings riper stone and orchard fruit while the underlying limestone keeps the wine fresh. It is aged for around seven months on its fine lees, which adds body and a gentle savoury, nutty note as the yeast cells slowly break down, and there is no oak, so the fruit stays clear and direct. The wine is pale straw and opens with white peach, pear, green apple and lemon, with a light hazelnut and honey depth from the lees work. The palate is dry and softly textured, with ripe fruit, fresh acidity and a clean finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees. It is an easy match for roast chicken and creamy dishes.