Domaine Chanson

Domaine Chanson, founded in 1750, remained within the extended family until it was purchased by Champagne Bollinger in 1999.
 
From the early years vines were planted and wine produced from vineyards around Beaune and at the same time Chanson established a negociant business where it purchased wines from other producers to sell under their own label. In 1775, Chanson bought wines from Clos de Vougeot wines as negociant. 

As its reputation and business grew, it attracted wealthy clients. Under a glass-top table in the Reception Room, we viewed an enormous accounting ledger that was opened on a certain page. Here, in fine script, the famous writer, historian and philosopher M. de Voltaire made two purchases of wine in 1776 and 1777 costing 849 francs. Voltaire died in 1778.

 
Today, the domaine remains located within the walls of the medieval town of Beaune. The walls and ramparts are connected by a series of bastions or fortresses, built during early 1500s, that were used to defend the town against attack.

 
By the 1780s, Chanson was able to use the Bastion de l’Oratoire for storage of wines. Following the French Revolution in 1789, Chanson was able to purchase the bastion in 1794 and it remains today an important centre for storage and maturation of fine wines and marc de Bourgogne. We toured through the cellars protected by walls up to 8-metres thick.

 
In recent years, Chanson has started to move away from the Negociant model and focus on its own 45 hectares of vineyards. 
Across, Bourgogne, recent vintages have been affected by frost, hail and semi-drought conditions resulting in variable yields and limited supply of wine. 

 
At our tasting, Vincent Wallays, export director poured the following wines:
Chardonnay
Vire Clesse 2021  
Bastion Beaune Premier Cru 2020 
Corton Vergennes Grand Cru 2020
 
Pinot Noir 
Savigny- Dominode Premier Cru 2020
Clos des Fevre, Monopole, Beaune Premier Cru 2020
Cote de Beaune Teurons Premier Cru 2020

View Domain Chanson website here.

Many thanks to Domaine Chanson & Negociants NZ for the introduction.
Celia Hay 1/2/23