Multi- AOC Chardonnay from a highly regarded Burgundy house
What if I told you that the Cosmic Chardonnay was sourced from four different growing regions in France and was made by a well-known Burgundy grower and producer in Beaune and Nuits-Saint George? And, it’s under 15 bucks a bottle (even less for email subscribers and locals)? Well, that sure sounds like crazy talk!
Paul Aegerter would strongly disagree.
The Plan de Dieu -- surrounded by famous wine making villages
Maison Aegerter -- a perfect balance of innovation and tradition
The Aegerter family thrives on innovation and has long been considered on the cutting edge of fine wine in France. It started when Jean-Luc Aegerter, former co-director of the Champagne house Roederer returned to his home region of Burgundy. In the late 1980s, Jean-Luc purchased Mason Pierre Grüber along with a few modest hectares of vineyards in Burgundy. Over the years, the family’s vineyard holdings have grown to include an impressive collection of regional, village, Premier Cru, and Grand Cru holdings, all producing Domaine wines of excellent quality.
In 2001, Jean-Luc’s son Paul joined the family firm, marking the beginning of continual innovation and expansion. In addition to their Domaine wines from Burgundy, the family has two beautiful retail wine shops in Burgundy, a Negociant business that sources great wines from all over France, and also a thriving export business that sends their wine all across the globe.
I had the great pleasure of dining with Jean-Luc and Paul at their home in Burgundy, and over dinner, Paul spoke enthusiastically about his new project: Cosmic Chardonnay. The idea was to produce 100% Chardonnay, made in the Burgundy tradition; however, he would source fruit from his friends with vineyards all throughout France. This would allow a bottle of Cosmic Chardonnay to be sold at a very modest price while providing the quality of an entry-level Burgundy. The regional selections would change from vintage to vintage, however, the majority of the Chardonnay would source from his “winemaking pals” all over the country. This year, 80% of the Chardonnay comes from friends in the Loire, Languedoc, and Corsica. The remaining 20% comes from declassified fruit in Aegerter’s own Burgundy vineyards.
Eric and David Martin -- 3rd generation vignerons
Julien Martin established Domaine Martin in 1905 when he purchased five hectares of vinyards in the Plan de Dieu. In the 1930s, Julien’s son Jules took over the property and started to purchase additional vineyard plots in the Plan de Dieu and also in surrounding villages. By the late 1940s, the family shifted from selling fruit to the local co-op to producing their own wine at the Domaine. In 1960, Jules sons René and Yves continued to aquire more vineyard holdings and expanded the cellar in order to add bottling production.
Today, the property is owned and managed by Eric and David Martin, great grandsons of the founder. The estate has grown to more than 70 hectares and includes parcels in the Plan de Dieu, Rasteau, Carianne and Vacluse. They grow a classic combination of Rhône varietals, all perfectly suitable for vineyards — Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Marselan and Merlot for the reds and Viognier, Bourboulenc and Grenache blanc for the whites.
AWM find and exclusive selection
In the glass, you’ll notice notes of white flowers and exotic fruit on the nose, leading to a ripe and rounded palate with nuances of peach, nectarine, and pineapple. I love the weight of this wine and the balance between the richness and brightness. This is a perfect mid-weight Chardonnay that would be at home at the beach or pool, and would also hang beautifully at your next dinner party.
Maison-Jean Luc et Paul Aegerter
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