# Bourgogne Côte d'Or Chardonnay 'Éclat de Calcaire' (2022)

- **Producer:** Pierre Girardin
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €45
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, grapefruit, apple, pear, peach, blossom, butter, toast, vanilla, biscuit

## About this wine

Pierre Girardin is one of the most exciting young talents in Burgundy. Representing the 13th generation of his family making wine in the region, Pierre launched his own domaine with the 2017 vintage, utilizing custom-made, larger 456-liter barrels to minimize oak influence. Based in Meursault, his 'Éclat de Calcaire' (meaning 'burst of limestone') is a masterclass in terroir-driven winemaking. This cuvée is sourced from organically farmed parcels on limestone-rich soils in the Côte de Beaune, showcasing the incredible precision, tension, and mineral focus that has quickly made Girardin a darling of Burgundy collectors worldwide.

## Interesting facts

- Pierre Girardin released his first vintage at just 21 years old, quickly becoming a rising star in Burgundy.
- The name 'Éclat de Calcaire' translates to 'burst of limestone,' highlighting the soil's influence on the wine.
- Pierre uses custom-designed 456-liter barrels, which are double the size of traditional Burgundy pièces, to reduce oak contact.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and mineral tension of this Chardonnay cut through rich, buttery sauces, while its medium body and subtle oak integration complement delicate proteins like poultry and seafood. The limestone-driven minerality acts as a bridge to earthy elements like mushrooms and goat cheese.

## Wine making process

The grapes are hand-harvested and gently pressed using a pneumatic press. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. To preserve the pristine fruit and intense minerality of the limestone soils, Pierre ages the wine in custom 456-liter French oak barrels (of which only a small percentage is new) for approximately 12 months, followed by a short period in stainless steel tanks before bottling. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered to maintain its natural texture and energy.