Notify me
2019 Bourgogne Vézelay Blanc “Galerne”
Domaine Montanet-Thoden
In 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: | 2019 |
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: | 14.1% |
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.

2023 Chablis 1er Cru “Vaillons”
France | Burgundy
An element of luscious, tender fruit that seems to coat the wine’s spinal chord of Kimmeridgian minerals.

2017 Mazoyères Chambertin Grand Cru
France | Burgundy
More Morey-like than the Charmes, with more muscle and spice. The grandest and longest-aging wine in this collection.

2021 Aloxe-Corton
France | Burgundy
The Follin family’s reds are some of the most delicious I have tasted, none more so than their incredibly vibrant and pure Aloxe-Corton.

2023 Bourgogne Rouge “Garance”
France | Burgundy
A sneakily serious Pinot Noir.

2021 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Vieilles Vignes”
France | Burgundy
An incredible wine that defines the region by marrying power, earth, finesse, dark fruit, silk, spice, and ageability.

2012 Meursault-Porusot 1er cru
France | Burgundy
Extremely limited quantities, maximum one bottle per purchase.

2019 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru “Les Pruliers”
France | Burgundy
Incredible elegance for Pruliers, power and finesse in spades.

2023 Chablis 1er Cru “Mont de Milieu”
France | Burgundy
Top-notch, organically farmed premier cru Chablis.

2022 Bourgogne Rouge “Garance”
France | Burgundy
A sneakily serious Pinot Noir.
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
2020 Meursault-Blagny 1er Cru “La Genelotte”
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy
2021 Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge “Vieilles Vignes”
Bruno Colin France | Burgundy
2022 Givry 1er Cru Rouge “Clos Jus”
Domaine François Lumpp France | Burgundy
2022 Gevrey-Chambertin
René Bouvier France | Burgundy
2021 Gevrey-Chambertin “Les Evocelles”
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy
2021 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Les Chaignots”
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy
2021 Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune
Bruno Colin France | Burgundy
2021 Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge 1er Cru “La Boudriotte”
Domaine Larue France | Burgundy
2019 Viré-Clessé “En Châtelaine”
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
2023 Savigny-Lès-Beaune 1er Cru “Aux Serpentières”
Domaine Pierre Guillemot France | Burgundy
2018 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2022 Rully Blanc “Les Saint-Jacques”
Domaine de Villaine France | Burgundy
2020 Meursault-Blagny 1er Cru “La Genelotte”
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy
2021 Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge “Vieilles Vignes”
Bruno Colin France | Burgundy
2022 Givry 1er Cru Rouge “Clos Jus”
Domaine François Lumpp France | Burgundy
2022 Gevrey-Chambertin
René Bouvier France | Burgundy
2021 Gevrey-Chambertin “Les Evocelles”
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy
2021 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Les Chaignots”
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy
2021 Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune
Bruno Colin France | Burgundy
2021 Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge 1er Cru “La Boudriotte”
Domaine Larue France | Burgundy
2019 Viré-Clessé “En Châtelaine”
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
2023 Savigny-Lès-Beaune 1er Cru “Aux Serpentières”
Domaine Pierre Guillemot France | Burgundy
2018 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2022 Rully Blanc “Les Saint-Jacques”
Domaine de Villaine France | Burgundy
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.
Inspiring Thirst, page 312