Chandon de Briailles
Located in Savigny-lès-Beaune at the Cote de Beaune, the historic family winery is run by the siblings Claude and Francois de Nicolay who introduced biodynamic farming and their neo-classical Burgundian style.
Profile
In the 1980s, the siblings' mother, Nadine, realized the challenges that chemicals and pesticides often posed and transitioned to organic agriculture. She also reintroduced methods to cultivate the soil in a better way, using ploughs and rakes, for example. Since 2011, the Domaine has been certified biodynamic, fostering a balanced ecosystem within the vineyards. Chandon de Briailles spans 13 hectares, primarily planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The estate's diverse terroirs, from clay-limestone to marl, contribute to the distinctive profile of each wine.
In the vineyard
Chandon de Briailles vinifies its wines with minimal intervention. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with native yeasts, and the wines age in oak barrels for 14-18 months. The wines are not filtered or fined, and sulfur is minimally added, usually just before bottling. In the past, the winery bottled two versions of the same wine, one with a small amount of added sulfur and one without. In 2021, they did not use sulfur except for one type of wine. The winery is now working towards producing wines without any added sulfur, but they still reserve the option to use it if they believe it's necessary for the stability of the wines.
In the cellar
The Domaine produces Chardonnay and Pinot Noir along the Côte de Beaune. Their village wines from Savigny-lès-Beaune and Pernand-Vergelesses offer an authentic terroir expression. This is followed by Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards, and finally their Icon wine Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru.