Chermette

History of Domaines Chermette

The Chermette family has been rooted in Saint-Vérand for several generations. Pierre-Marie's great-grandfather built the vaulted cellar with large oak foudres that is today the centerpiece of the estate, bearing witness to an ancient winemaking tradition. Pierre-Marie Chermette was born and grew up among the vines of Saint-Vérand, in the land of the Pierres Dorées, on the southern border of the Beaujolais vineyard. He took over the family estate and gradually developed the activity, first on the initial 10 hectares of Saint-Vérand, then by acquiring 20 hectares of Beaujolais crus: Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent, then Brouilly in 2008 and Saint-Amour.

One of Pierre-Marie's most significant decisions was the creation in 1986 of the Origine Vieilles Vignes cuvée, at the instigation of his friend Jean Brouilly, a former Michelin-starred chef from Tarare, who wanted to "revive the Beaujolais of old." This cuvée, renamed "Origine" in 2018 by Jean-Étienne, has become the flagship of the estate. In 2018, the Domaine du Vissoux was officially renamed Domaines Chermette. In 2023, Jean-Étienne took over the management, introducing Morgon as a new appellation and preparing plantings of Pinot noir, Viognier and Syrah, in a spirit of innovation respectful of tradition.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaines Chermette

The domaine de base is located in Saint-Vérand, on an exceptional and rare terroir: plagio-granites, an extremely rare rock on a global scale, found in Saint-Vérand, at the Côte de Py in Morgon, and in Norway. According to specialist Nicolas Besset, these plagio-granites give the soil of Saint-Vérand a unique structure and minerality. Unlike the predominantly clay-limestone terrain of southern Beaujolais, this granitic soil gives more structure to the wines. The vines of Saint-Vérand, aged between 35 and 100 years, are south-west facing across 8 contiguous hectares. The density is 9,000 vines per hectare, trained in Royat cordon and Guyot.

The 20 hectares of crus are spread across Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent (acquired progressively since the 2000s), Brouilly (since 2008) and Saint-Amour. For the Crémant de Bourgogne, the Chardonnay vines are planted on the clay-limestone soils of southern Beaujolais. The entire estate is certified Terra Vitis and HVE 3 (Haute Valeur Environnementale level 3), attesting to a reasoned and environmentally responsible approach to viticulture. Harvesting is done by hand across the entire vineyard.

Vinification at Domaines Chermette

Pierre-Marie Chermette, and today Jean-Étienne, vinify "in the purest Beaujolais tradition", with the aim of producing "the most natural wine possible." Vinification is carried out using traditional Beaujolais semi-carbonic maceration, with whole bunches and daily pump-overs in concrete tanks, a 6-day maceration for the standard cuvées. The Origine cuvée is aged in the large oak foudres of the historic vaulted cellar, fined with egg whites and lightly filtered, in the purest tradition. The cru cuvées benefit from ageing adapted to their style. Indigenous yeasts are used, with no chaptalization and a minimum of sulfites. Jean-Étienne Chermette has opted for a style leaning more toward freshness and fruit for his own cuvées, releasing crus from earlier vintages after longer ageing.

The cuvées of Domaines Chermette

Beaujolais Origine Vieilles Vignes: The estate's flagship cuvée and "symbol wine," created in 1986 at the instigation of Jean Brouilly to "revive the Beaujolais of old," renamed Origine in 2018. Sourced from 8 hectares of old Gamay vines aged 35 to 100 years on the rare plagio-granites of Saint-Vérand, south-west facing. Semi-carbonic maceration for 6 days in concrete tanks, indigenous yeasts, aged in the historic large oak foudres, fined with egg whites, lightly filtered, no chaptalization. Vivid and intense fruitiness very close to the grape, concentration and freshness on the palate, a characterful Beaujolais that can improve over winter and be enjoyed through summer. 15,000 bottles. "A different vision of Beaujolais."

Beaujolais Nouveau Origine Vieilles Vignes: Primeur version of the Origine cuvée, sourced from the same old vines of 60 to 90 years on dark granites of Saint-Vérand. Semi-carbonic maceration for 6 days, indigenous yeasts, minimum sulfites. "A high-end wine with character that will win back those disappointed by primeur wines." Aromas of ripe fruits, a full palate, persistent finish. A "vinous" and complex Beaujolais Nouveau, drinkable through the summer following release. 25,000 bottles.

Beaujolais Blanc: White cuvée made from Chardonnay grown on the clay-limestone soils of southern Beaujolais, well suited to the expression of this grape variety. Fresh and aromatic white wine, with notes of white-fleshed fruits and flowers, a lively and light palate. An original addition to the range in an estate that is predominantly red.

Beaujolais Rosé: Rosé cuvée made from Gamay vinified by direct pressing or short maceration. Pale pink color, nose of red fruits and flowers, a light and thirst-quenching palate. The festive and accessible rosé cuvée of the estate.

Fleurie: Red cuvée from Fleurie, one of the most floral and seductive crus of Beaujolais, sourced from the estate's 20 hectares of crus. Red wine of elegance and freshness characteristic of Fleurie: aromas of violet, raspberry and red fruits, a supple and silky palate. Aged in large oak foudres. A classic Fleurie, true to the appellation.

Moulin-à-Vent: Red cuvée from the most structured and powerful cru of Beaujolais, sourced from plots acquired progressively since the 2000s. Gamay on granite and manganese from Moulin-à-Vent, aged in foudres. A red wine denser and more structured than the Fleurie, with aromas of black fruits, spices and a distinctive minerality. Ageing potential of 5 to 8 years.

Brouilly: Red cuvée from Brouilly, a cru acquired in 2008, on the granitic terroirs of the southernmost cru of Beaujolais. Expressive and fruity red wine, with aromas of black cherry and red fruits characteristic of Brouilly, a supple and fresh palate.

Saint-Amour: Red cuvée from the northernmost cru of Beaujolais, on the border of Burgundy. Elegant and fragrant red wine, with aromas of kirsch, spices and wild flowers typical of Saint-Amour. A lively and refined palate, delicate style.

Morgon: New cuvée introduced by Jean-Étienne Chermette following the 2023 takeover. Morgon, one of the most complex and mineral crus of Beaujolais, on the celebrated schist and granite soils of the Côte de Py. A deep and mineral red wine, characteristic of great Morgons with their notes of black fruits, violet and their famed ability to age and evolve over several years.

Crémant de Bourgogne: Sparkling cuvée crafted using the traditional method from Chardonnay grown on the clay-limestone soils of southern Beaujolais. Fine and persistent bubbles, nose of apple, white flowers and light brioche, a fresh and balanced palate. A finely crafted artisanal Crémant, to be served as an aperitif or with delicate desserts.