Notify me
2018 Bourgogne Vézelay Blanc “Galerne”
Domaine Montanet-ThodenIn Adventures on the Wine Route, Kermit wrote of Chablis: “The white Burgundy that raises the hair on my back, that arouses passions ranging from teeth-gnashing outrage to utmost euphoria, is not even from the Côte d’Or. It is Chablis, northernmost Chablis.” South of Chablis, but in the same orbit relative to the Côte d’Or, lies another Burgundian satellite that is similar in ways to its more famous neighbor: Vézelay. An hour and a half northwest of Beaune, this freshly minted AOC is capable of producing distinct, world-class Chardonnay, especially in the hands of a vigneron as talented as Valentin Montanet, whose family domaine began to pioneer organic farming in the region around the turn of the twenty-first century. The climate this far north is relatively cold and is reinforced by the “Galerne,” a wind that sweeps down from the northwest across the vineyards of Vézelay, helping the grapes to stay dry, cool, and healthy. This climate, a clay-and-limestone soil, and stainless-steel vinification are the pillars of Valentin’s Galerne blanc, a divine rendition of pure, chiseled Chardonnay, bearing notes of orchard fruit, citrus, and oyster shells. Speaking of which, pair it with food as you would a Chablis: oysters, light seafood, and mild cheeses.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2018 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chardonnay |
Appellation: | Bourgogne |
Country: | France |
Region: | Burgundy |
Producer: | Domaine Montanet-Thoden |
Winemaker: | Catherine & Valentin Montanet |
Vineyard: | Planted mid-90s, early 2000s, 6 ha |
Soil: | Clay, limestone |
Aging: | Vinification and élevage entirely in stainless steel |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Bourgogne Vézelay Blanc “Galerne”
France | Burgundy
Climate, a clay-and-limestone soil, and stainless-steel vinification are the pillars of Valentin’s Galerne blanc, a divine rendition of pure, chiseled Chardonnay.
2022 Chablis “Vauprin”
France | Burgundy
Vauprin showcases Chardonnay’s ability to produce a wine that is simultaneously both round and taut in this mighty northern Burgundian terroir.
2022 Bourgogne Rouge “Garance”
France | Burgundy
A sneakily serious Pinot Noir.
2021 Côte de Nuits-Villages
France | Burgundy
First, it is impeccable. Second, it does not exceed its appellation; it is not a substitute Romanée Conti; it is a perfect Côte de Nuits-Villages.
2022 Savigny-Lès-Beaune 1er Cru “Aux Serpentières”
France | Burgundy
A classic vintage that’s tart, earthy and generous; it’s beaming with pleasure and would be well worth cellaring, too.
2018 Pouilly-Fuissé “La Croix Vieilles Vignes”
France | Burgundy
Farming incredibly old vines in the region’s top terroirs, brothers Antoine and Nico at Robert-Denogent are stars of the Maconnais.
2017 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru
France | Burgundy
With some age, this will develop into one of the most gorgeous Pinot Noirs to ever grace your glass.
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Les Roncières”
France | Burgundy
2020 Marsannay Rouge “Les Longeroies”
France | Burgundy
This single-vineyard Pinot Noir is what drinking great Burgundy is all about.
2020 Volnay 1er Cru “Les Caillerets”
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils
France | Burgundy
This Caillerets features a stony, savory undercurrent, above which float gorgeous notes of strawberries and plums.
About The Producer
Domaine Montanet-Thoden
About The Region
Burgundy
In eastern central France, Burgundy is nestled between the wine regions of Champagne to the north, the Jura to the east, the Loire to the west, and the Rhône to the south. This is the terroir par excellence for producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The southeast-facing hillside between Dijon in the north and Maranges in the south is known as the Côte d’Or or “golden slope.” The Côte d’Or comprises two main sections, both composed of limestone and clay soils: the Côte de Nuits in the northern sector, and the Côte de Beaune in the south. Both areas produce magnificent whites and reds, although the Côte de Beaune produces more white wine and the Côte de Nuits more red.
Chablis is Burgundy’s northern outpost, known for its flinty and age-worthy Chardonnays planted in Kimmeridgian limestone on an ancient seabed. Vézelay is a smaller area south of Chablis with similar qualities, although the limestone there is not Kimmeridgian.
To the south of the Côte de Beaune, the Côte Chalonnaise extends from Chagny on its northern end, down past Chalon-sur-Saône and encompasses the appellations of Bouzeron in the north, followed by Rully, Mercurey, Givry, and Montagny.
Directly south of the Chalonnaise begins the Côte Mâconnais, which extends south past Mâcon to the hamlets of Fuissé, Vinzelles, Chaintré, and Saint-Véran. The Mâconnais is prime Chardonnay country and contains an incredible diversity of soils.
More from Burgundy or France
2021 Bouzeron Aligoté
Domaine De Villaine France | Burgundy
2020 Meursault-Blagny 1er Cru “La Genelotte”
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy
2020 Saint-Romain Blanc
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2019 Vin de France “Grenache Noir”
Santini Collective France | Burgundy
2018 Mazoyères Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2022 Bourgogne Pinot Beurot “Les Grands Poisots”
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy
2022 Maranges 1er Cru “Clos des Loyères”
Jean-Claude Regnaudot et Fils France | Burgundy
2020 Pouilly-Fuissé “Cuvée Claude Denogent Vieilles Vignes” Les Cras
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
2021 Côte de Nuits-Villages
Domaine Gachot-Monot France | Burgundy
2006 Bonnes-Mares grand cru
Domaine François Bertheau France | Burgundy
2022 Vézelay Blanc “La Châtelaine”
Domaine de la Cadette France | Burgundy
2020 Marsannay Blanc “Clos du Roy”
Régis Bouvier France | Burgundy
2021 Bouzeron Aligoté
Domaine De Villaine France | Burgundy
2020 Meursault-Blagny 1er Cru “La Genelotte”
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy
2020 Saint-Romain Blanc
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2019 Vin de France “Grenache Noir”
Santini Collective France | Burgundy
2018 Mazoyères Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2022 Bourgogne Pinot Beurot “Les Grands Poisots”
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy
2022 Maranges 1er Cru “Clos des Loyères”
Jean-Claude Regnaudot et Fils France | Burgundy
2020 Pouilly-Fuissé “Cuvée Claude Denogent Vieilles Vignes” Les Cras
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
2021 Côte de Nuits-Villages
Domaine Gachot-Monot France | Burgundy
2006 Bonnes-Mares grand cru
Domaine François Bertheau France | Burgundy
2022 Vézelay Blanc “La Châtelaine”
Domaine de la Cadette France | Burgundy
2020 Marsannay Blanc “Clos du Roy”
Régis Bouvier France | Burgundy
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236