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Presentation of the Cru-Class Wines

THE HISTORY OF THE VIRÉ-CLESSÉ CRU-CLASS WINES

In 1937, the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine suggested to the wine-makers of Viré that they should label their wines as cru-class. They refused, because they were worried about paying higher taxes, among other considerations. Two further attempts were also inconclusive. With the publication of an official decree on 26 February 1999. Viré-Clessé Cru-Class wine at last became a reality. This wine is made from grapes grown in the remarkable terroirs of the AOC Mâcon Villages. The appellations Mâcon-Viré and Mâcon-Clessé have not been in use since 2002.

Présentation du cru

Some wine-makers harvest their grapes when they are overripe or botyrized (infected with “noble rot”) in order to increase residual sugar content.

 

In 2018 the production specifications were modified to take account of these practices, and to provide a framework for the production of Viré-Clessé medium-dry and ‘Levrouté’ wines.

LOCATION OF THE VIRÉ-CLESSÉ CRU-CLASS WINES

Crédit photo : Cru Viré-Clessé.

Viré-Clessé wines are produced in the northern Mâconnais region, in the villages of Viré, Clessé, Montbellet, and Laizé. Our vineyards are all planted on the same east-facing slope, facing the Saône River. They benefit greatly from this remarkable orientation, and soak up the rays of the morning sun.

  • Cru Viré-Clessé, Cru Viré-Clessé,
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THE TERROIRS OF THE VIRÉ-CLESSÉ CRU-CLASS WINES

Crédit photo : Cru Viré-CLessé

The vineyards of Viré-Clessé are located in a semi-continental climate. On certain days, mist covers them for long periods.

 

In Viré the chalky soil gives our wines a salty tang and delightful acidity. The Quintaine terroir, in the heart of the Viré-Clessé appellation, produces wines that are rounder and more full-bodied. They are made from vineyards covering an area of nearly 100 hectares.

 

Our cru is made up of two north-south facing slopes bordered by the valleys of the Bourbonne and Monge rivers. They are composed of Bajocian entrochial limestone and Oxfordian (Jurassic) marl-limestone strata. Other plots at the bottom of the slopes have clay soil that includes « chailles » (sandstone pebbles). They have an eastern exposure and are well drained.

 

There are also areas of “cray”, a type of calcareous soil with white pebbles found in the Mâcon area.

The altitudes of the vineyards are between 200 and 350 meters.

  • Cru Viré-Clessé, Cru Viré-Clessé,
  • Cru Viré-Clessé, Cru Viré-Clessé,
  • Cru Viré-Clessé, Cru Viré-Clessé,
  • Cru Viré-Clessé, Cru Viré-Clessé,
  • Cru Viré-Clessé, Cru Viré-Clessé,
  • Cru Viré-Clessé, Cru Viré-Clessé,

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