From: Burgundy, France
Varietal: Chardonnay
"The first thing I do when receiving out-of-town visitors to our home in Burgundy is take them to Saint Romain. The views looking down on the Côte de Beaune are striking, as is the sight of the local terroir with its steep, winding vineyards and extremely rocky soils. The higher elevation and higher limestone content give this blanc a lively, bright initial punch, floral aromatics, and a round, opulent finish. The estate’s history runs deep in Saint Romain, which is the native village of the Taupenot side of the family, with these old vines being part of the family holdings for generations."
—Chris Santini
Taste: It begins with an alluring nose filled with floral aromatics of white blossoms, mingling with hints of green apple, ripe pear, and lemon zest. Subtle undertones of wet stone and crushed seashells reflect the wine's limestone-rich terroir, while a touch of brioche and vanilla indicate judicious use of oak. On the palate, this wine delivers a lively, bright initial punch, showcasing its elevated origins. The crisp acidity is beautifully balanced by a rich, opulent texture, revealing flavors of orchard fruits, citrus, and a hint of honey. A mineral-driven backbone provides depth and complexity, leading to a lengthy, refreshing finish with nuances of toasted almonds and white pepper.
Pairing: The 2019 Domaine Taupenot Merme Saint-Romain Blanc is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Its bright acidity and rich texture make it an ideal companion for seafood, poultry, and creamy pasta dishes. Consider pairing it with grilled shrimp or scallops, herb-roasted chicken, or fettuccine alfredo. It also complements earthy mushrooms, nutty cheeses, and vegetable dishes with rich, buttery textures.
In keeping with its Burgundian roots, this Saint-Romain Blanc pairs delightfully with traditional regional dishes. Try it with Coq au Vin Blanc, a creamy mustard chicken dish (see Melissa Clark’s recipe below), or even a sumptuous seafood gratin featuring local fish and shellfish.
Vegetarian options that would complement this wine include earthy, umami-rich dishes that showcase the wine's minerality and acidity. Pair it with a wild mushroom risotto, truffled vegetable gratin, savory vegetable tart, a buttery potato and leek gratin, or a goat cheese and beet salad with toasted walnuts and a citrus vinaigrette.
Skillet Mustard Chicken With Spinach and Carrots
By Melissa Clark
About. Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of Burgundy, Domaine Taupenot Merme is a winery deeply rooted in history and tradition. Romain Taupenot, the ninth-generation winemaker, and his sister Virginie have maintained the family's commitment to producing elegant, terroir-driven wines. Their 2019 Domaine Taupenot Merme Saint-Romain Blanc is an exceptional example of the winery's dedication to quality, reflecting the unique terroir of Saint-Romain.
The Saint-Romain Blanc comes from a blend of grapes sourced from four lieux-dits: Combe Bazin, En Gollot, La Perière, and Le Marsain. These vineyards are characterized by their high elevation and limestone-rich soils, which impart a lively, bright character to the wine. The wine showcases floral aromatics, followed by a round, opulent finish.
Romain and Virginie Taupenot have continued their family's legacy of prioritizing work in the vineyard, adopting organic farming practices since 2001. Their goal is to produce wines that truly express the character of each climat, resulting in wines that are pure, graceful, and faithful to their appellation of origin. Romain humorously refers to himself as a "lazy winemaker," focusing on the vineyards to minimize the need for intervention in the cellar.
The winemaking process for the 2019 Domaine Taupenot Merme Saint-Romain Blanc follows traditional Burgundian methods. Hand-harvested grapes are de-stemmed and undergo a 10-day cold soak before fermentation with wild yeast, a technique pioneered by the late, great Henri Jayer. Gentle cellar operations, such as pigeages and remontages, are performed to express the nuances of each site. Commercial yeasts, bacteria, enzymes, and other additives are strictly avoided, while new oak is used judiciously.
The resulting wine displays the house style of richness with freshness. The Taupenots rely on the innate quality of the sites they farm to deliver balanced, complete wines with elegant tannins. With an impressive array of climats under their care, Romain and Virginie are ideal ambassadors for the diverse, esteemed terroirs of Burgundy.
The 2019 Domaine Taupenot Merme Saint-Romain Blanc is a testament to the winery's deep Burgundian roots and commitment to quality. The combination of centuries-old viticultural expertise and a focus on terroir-driven wines has created a wine that is both captivating and expressive. As a shining example of the best that the Côte de Beaune has to offer, the 2019 Domaine Taupenot Merme Saint-Romain Blanc is a wine not to be missed.