Pernand 1er Cru "Île des Vergelesses" La vie est Belle ungeschwefelt, Sans Sulfites Ajoutes AOC 2020

A crisply defined white wine with vibrant acidity and restrained oak. Its 14.0% alcohol by volume lends warmth without letting this dry wine become broad.

Île des Vergelesses is a Premier Cru vineyard in Pernand-Vergelesses, at the foot of the Corton hill, on limestone soil. Chandon de Briailles in Savigny-lès-Beaune, family-owned since 1834, farms 13.7 hectares across twelve vineyards in the communes of Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton. Since 2005, siblings François and Claude de Nicolay have farmed biodynamically, and the estate has held Demeter certification since 2011. Four horses, Diva, Epi, Farandole and Gipsy, pull the plough through the vine rows.

Pure Pinot Blanc. Claude de Nicolay, in charge of the cellar since 1988, vinifies without fining or filtration; the proportion of new oak barely exceeds 15 percent, and the white wines age for up to 28 months in barrel. Since 2017, she has bottled selected cuvées entirely without added sulfites, including this one. Ageing takes place in a 12th-century vaulted cellar built by monks from the Abbey of Cîteaux.

A taut entry, carried by vibrant acidity. Yellow apple and lemon zest meet a fine creaminess, and the finish stays long and salty, fading out on notes of white blossom and bitter almond.

With roasted turbot, sole in butter or chicken with morels. Equally good with young Comté or a white asparagus risotto.

A Pinot Blanc from a Premier Cru vineyard, bottled entirely without added sulfites. The estate holds parcels in Premier and Grand Cru vineyards such as Aloxe-Corton, Corton-Charlemagne and Île des Vergelesses, and employs the equivalent of one worker per hectare.