Terroir: Saint-Sernin-du-Plain, a village with slightly less than 600 inhabitants. The vines are centered around the village of Couches, at the top of the Côte Chalonnaise. In Saint-Sernin-du-Plain you’ll find very different soil types, says Caroline Bellavoine. You have different soil types suitable for different grape varieties. Schist for the aligoté, granite for the gamay and clay-limestone for the pinot noir and the chardonnay.
Aging: 24 months in 2 year-old oak barrels from Chassin.
Caroline Bellavoine Carpe Diem, Vin de France 2021
Born and raised in Paris, Caroline Bellavoine’s love for wine led her to change her career, study winemaking, and move to Burgundy. Despite the challenges of finding vineyards to purchase in this renowned region, she persisted. In 2003, she settled in Saint-Sernin-du-Plain, a charming village with less than 600 inhabitants in the Côte Chalonnaise of Central Burgundy.
Caroline's dedication to her craft is palpable. She embraces the challenges of being an outsider who did not come from a winemaking family and has created a thriving domaine from scratch. Her unconventional approach sets her apart, and we've chosen her Carpe Diem as our bottle of the month because we’ve never had anything like it!
The terroir of Saint-Sernin-du-Plain plays a vital role in shaping Caroline's wines. Surrounded by different soil types suitable for various grape varieties—schist for Aligoté, granite for Gamay, and clay-limestone for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay—Caroline meticulously tends to her six and a half hectares of vineyards. The Carpe Diem is a blend of Aligoté, Pinot Noir, and Gamay—a rarity in Burgundy due to the region's stringent rules– and is declassified to “Vin de France”, a category for all the quirky ‘others’ who aren’t following the laws of the region. For example, in Burgundy, the only time Pinot Noir and Gamay are allowed to be vinified as white wines is to be used as the base wines in a sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne. To blend Aligoté, the forgotten white grape of Burgundy, with Gamay and Pinot Noir as a still white wine is simply unheard of, and therefore cannot be called “Burgundy”. This is the new wave, and we’re here for it!
So, why does this blend work, and what does it taste like? The schist soil for Aligoté imparts depth, while the granite for Gamay adds a touch of minerality. The clay-limestone soil for Pinot Noir contributes to the wine's complexity. Caroline's vineyards face the late afternoon sun, allowing for even ripening and the development of nuanced flavors. In her winemaking process, Caroline employs traditional techniques. She uses whole clusters, gentle pressing, and indigenous yeast fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine then matures in oak barrels for 24 months, enhancing its depth and character. Caroline's meticulous methods yield a wine that reflects the unique terroir and her independent spirit.
Expect a Chardonnay-adjacent experience in the glass, with a round body, textural palate, and lively acidity. There are aromatic white flowers, notes of yellow apples, tart tropical fruits, elderflower, and almond skin. Enjoy this on its own or with pasta carbonara, summer squash risotto, grilled corn, or a lovely slice of Brie.
In every bottle, Caroline Bellavoine’s Carpe Diem encapsulates her passion, creativity, and a healthy respect for Burgundian traditions while creating new traditions of her own. It's a rare gem, defying conventions and inviting us to savor the day. — Cara Patricia
