France — wine

Mâcon

The southern gateway to Burgundy, where Chardonnay grown on Jurassic limestone and clay soils produces wines of genuine charm, freshness, and value. The Mâconnais stretches from Tournus in the north to Pouilly-Fuissé in the south, with village appellations (Mâcon-Villages, then specific village names like Mâcon-Lugny, Mâcon-Solutré) offering progressive complexity and site expression. The region's best wines — particularly from the Solutré and Chasselas villages near the Rock of Solutré — offer Burgundian terroir character at prices far below the Côte d'Or.

Year Rating Notes
2022 Good vintage despite early summer heat. Chardonnay showed good natural acidity from the limestone soils.
2021 Cool, precise vintage producing Mâcon whites of extraordinary freshness and mineral clarity.
2020 Warm year producing riper, richer styles. Good village wines for early drinking.
2019 Outstanding vintage — long, warm growing season produced complex, age-worthy Mâcon from top sites.
2018 Rich, full wines from the hot summer. Less tension than cooler vintages but good fruit character.