Maison Champy Cuvée Edme 2022 | Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay

Maison Champy is the oldest wine company in Burgundy boasting a history dating back to 1720. The winery, which has been declared a historic monument by UNESCO, was designed by the famed architect, Gustave Eiffel and sits above an ancient 15th-century Jacobian monk cellar, where the wines are aged in the heart of Beaune. It was at Maison Champy where renowned scientist, Louis Pasteur set up a laboratory and developed the pasteurization method. When Pasteur published his findings, he gave special thanks to fourth-generation Beaune wine merchant, Claude Champy. Pasteur’s laboratory equipment can still be seen today when visiting the Maison.

Maison Champy owns 52 acres of vineyards, including holdings in Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru, Clos de Bully in Pernand-Vergelessess, and Beaune 1er Cru Aux Cras. These prized vineyards, among others owned by Champy, are farmed organically in order to showcase the true character of the terroir in the wines.

The winegrowing team at Champy has worked together for many years with the goal of crafting the best possible expression of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from each unique terroir. Winemaking is led by Dimitri Bazas who, as Technical Director and Oenologist, has been custodian of the wine styles for more than 20 years. Vineyard management is under the watch of Francis Simon, also with two decades of experience with the Maison, and Cellar Master José Ramalho is Champy’s longest-tenured employee, having tended the barrel program for 35 years. Together the team brings their passion, experience, and expertise to each vintage, from vine to bottle.

The “Signature” of oenologist Dimitri Bazas, this Bourgogne Chardonnay comes from a selection of Maison Champy's best barrels of Chardonnay. The grapes are grown in the classic regions of Puligny, Meursault, and Rully. This harmonious blend gives it both the classic character of Chardonnay from the Côte d’Or and the floral elegance typical of the Côte Châlonnaise.

Grapes are selected plot-by-plot across distinct sub-regions, notably including high-altitude plots in Pernand-Vergelesses (Côte de Beaune) alongside fruit from the Côte Châlonnaise and Mâconnais.

The Côte d'Or component is barrel-fermented in French oak barriques using indigenous yeasts, adding texture, complexity, and subtle toast/vanilla aromas. The Côte Châlonnaise and Mâconnais lots are fermented in stainless steel vats at controlled temperatures to preserve delicate white floral notes, crisp acidity, and bright fruit purity.

The wine undergoes maturation in traditional Burgundy oak barriques (with around 20% to 30% new oak) for 10 to 12 months. Partial malolactic fermentation and periodic lees stirring (bâtonnage) enhance mouthfeel without overpowering the natural minerality. The barrel-aged and tank-aged components are blended together prior to bottling, creating a balanced final wine that combines freshness with structure and length.