Why it matters
The producer
Count and Countess Aymard-Claude de Nicolay currently own Domaine Chandon de Briailles. Their family has held the property continuously since 1834. At Îles-des-Vergelesses, the domaine cultivates both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, putting two grape varieties in the same named vineyard place.
The domaine's wines include village, Premier Cru and Grand Cru whites. Its farming moved from organic practice to biodynamic management across the entire property, while the named holdings remain spread across Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The domaine's holdings are spread across Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton. Îles-des-Vergelesses adds a more specific vineyard address, where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are both cultivated.
That combination gives the range two geographic scales: village names across three holdings and one named place represented by both a red grape and a white grape. The labels therefore move between broader village addresses and a more specific vineyard name.
Wines to know
The range in view
The named white wines include Savigny Blanc, Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc Premier Cru and Corton Grand Cru. Premier Cru and Grand Cru are vineyard classifications that place the latter wines at different levels in the regional hierarchy, while Savigny Blanc carries the village name.
Savigny Blanc brings yellow apple, pear and fresh almonds. The range therefore moves from a village white to wines carrying Premier Cru and Grand Cru names, with the bottle names supplying the main hierarchy.