# Athénaïs Bourgogne Chardonnay (2023)

- **Producer:** Château de Béru
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €40
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, apple, peach, blossom, butter, bread

## About this wine

Château de Béru is a historic Burgundy estate situated in Chablis, held by the Béru family for over 400 years since 1627. After decades of tenant farming, the estate was reclaimed and replanted in 1987 by Comte Éric de Béru. Today, his daughter Athénaïs de Béru leads the domain, transitioning all vineyards to certified organic and biodynamic practices. Under her namesake micro-négociant label, Athénaïs, she sources organically farmed grapes from select partner plots in the Yonne department to craft expressive, terroir-driven cuvées.

## Interesting facts

- The estate has been owned by the Béru family for over 400 years, dating back to 1627.
- Athénaïs de Béru created her namesake label as a micro-négociant project to showcase exceptional Yonne terroirs.
- Vineyards are cultivated using biodynamic preparations and traditional horse ploughing in Kimmeridgian soils.
- The bottle features a distinctive stylized blue and gold feather illustration on its label.

## Food pairing

The high, crystalline acidity and limestone-driven mineral backbone of this Chardonnay effortlessly cut through rich textures like butter and soft seafood fats, while complementing the delicate brine of fresh shellfish.

## Wine making process

Grapes are hand-harvested from high-elevation, Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils in Saint-Bris. Winemaking adheres to strict low-intervention principles, starting with long, gentle whole-bunch pneumatic pressing. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using indigenous yeasts without any added oenological inputs. The wine matures on fine lees for 16 to 18 months in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and neutral wooden foudres. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered, with minimal total sulfites.