André Bonhomme Viré-Clessé Vieilles Vignes 2017

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

The Vieilles Vignes wine comes from different parcels of 70 to 95 years of age planted on red and white clay soils, sometimes with limestone subsoil outcropping in stony forms. The venerable age of its plots conveys a great concentration and complexity to this gastronomic wine, present on many tables, including the most prestigious. Vinification and ageing are traditional in oak barrels with indigenous yeasts and bacteria, for a period of 20 months. All the wines are separated during winemaking before blending. So, for 12 months all the wines are in oak ranging from new (15 to 20%) to 8 years old. Then the family blends all the barrels in stainless tanks to spend a further nine months or more.

About Domaine André Bonhomme

Founded in 1956 by André Bonhomme and his wife Gisèle, then Domaine has grown from 4 ha of Mâcon Viréto 12ha of the clayey-limestone soil of the communes of Viré and Clessé. 98% white wine (Chardonnay) the balance Gamay for red.

The beginnings weren’t easy, but over the years the Domaine André Bonhomme developed a first-class reputation founded on its superbly-controlled vinification and its consistent emphasis on quality.

For over fifty years, André Bonhomme has played a major role in the Mâcon region not only by being a precursor of estate-bottling, but also by being co-founder of the Vignerons Indépendants of Saône-et-Loire and co-initiator of the recognition of the AOC Viré Clessé. You know when a vigneron establishes an AOC that they have to be making solid vino!

Currently, the estate is managed by André Bonhomme’s son-in-law, Eric Palthey, and André’s daughter Jacqueline, in conjunction with their sons Aurélien and Johan.
The Domaine operates in organic viticulture.

Our history is our region, reflected in the appellation Viré-Clessé. A very young appellation, born in 1998, is the result of grouping the parcels of the communes of Viré and Clessé for a total area of 430 ha. The appellations Mâcon Viré and Mâcon Clessé were discontinued with the 1998 vintage.

This vineyard has long merited its own distinct appellation, since it has a range of such distinct characteristics.

The Domaine operates in organic viticulture.

The Domain’s dry white wines, with their seductive mineral and exotic properties, are excllent. These are wines that can be kept for several years without any problem.

Like Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran, Viré-Clessé has establishes its status in the Mâcon as a great Burgundy wine.

Where in the World is Domaine André Bonhomme?

The Mâconnaise – Is capable of producing some very good wines. It has become a shining light for value with the ever increasing prices of Burgundy. We’ve seen producers like Comte Lafon from Meursault recognise the potential of the region, establishing the joint venture Domaine Héritiers du Comte Lafon.

It is home to the Village of Chardonnay, the geographic home of the grape! Bonhomme’s Viré Clessé comes from roughly the middle of the region.