White: Domaine Talmard Chardonnay 2008

Gerald and Philibert Talmard operate a vineyard that has been passed on from father to son since the 17th century. The first mention of winegrowing in the Maconnais region is by 4th century Roman poet Ausonius, but it was the Cistercian monks who, in the 11th and 12th centuries, established the Maconnais as a wine region. True recognition came a little later when, in 1660, a grower, Claude Brosse, traveled to Versailles with two casks of his wine. Arriving just as Mass was being said, he immediately kneeled but, being a head taller than the rest of the congregation, caught the attention of the king who thought he had remained sitting. The subsequent meeting and tasting by the monarch of the wine led to regular shipments to the court.

Domaine Talmard is a white dry wine, 100% Chardonnay. It has a brillant yellow pale color. It is lightly spiced and lemony. It is a well-balanced wine, floral, with a long finish in the mouth.