# Bessay (2022)

- **Producer:** Sylvain Martel
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Gamay
- **Region:** Beaujolais, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Average price:** €38
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red cherry, raspberry, rose, black pepper

## About this wine

The Bessay 2022 by Sylvain Martel is a 100% Gamay from the Juliénas AOC in Beaujolais, France. It originates from a specific plot, 'Bessay,' characterized by its high altitude (over 400 meters), steep slopes, and unique 'blue stone' and schist soils. The vines are over 50 years old, farmed organically using traditional methods. Sylvain Martel, a winemaker with prior experience in the Southern Rhône and Beaujolais, began his own project in 2018 with a focus on low-intervention winemaking. The 2022 vintage, shaped by a warm and dry season, yielded concentrated wines with potential for freshness. Production is very limited, with only a mere 3,600 bottles made.

## Interesting facts

- Vineyards are over 50 years old, situated on steep slopes above 400 meters.
- Terroir is defined by unique 'blue stones' (diorite) and schist.
- Total production is a mere 3,600 bottles.
- Winemaking follows the teachings of the legendary Jules Chauvet.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium tannins and bright acidity can cut through the richness of roasted meats and fatty charcuterie. Its red fruit and peppery notes complement earthy flavors like mushrooms and herbs, while its structure supports richer dishes.

## Wine making process

The Bessay 2022 is produced using semi-carbonic maceration with native yeasts and whole grape bunches, a method influenced by the teachings of Jules Chauvet. Following fermentation, the wine matures for 9 months in old barrels, followed by a short period in vats. It is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its natural character. The vineyard is farmed organically, and the winemaking process emphasizes minimal intervention to allow the unique terroir of the Bessay plot to express itself.