In Chablis, in the north of Bourgogne, the Chardonnay grape variety expresses its character like nowhere else. For many, it is also one of the purest forms of Chardonnay.

However, it is difficult to put into words the purity and minerality of Chablis wines. Photographers, jewellers, designers, video-makers and musicians have already tried to capture the sensations and emotions experienced when drinking a glass of Chablis through their art.

This year, the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) invited Japanese artists to produce a three-dimensional creation encapsulating how the experience made them feel.

More than 40 artists applied to participate in this challenge and 10 were selected to take part. These works will be presented to the press in Tokyo at the When Pure Chablis meets Art event, on July 25.

A mini masterclass will be held alongside the presentation to introduce the different Chablis appellations, with a free tasting in the midst of the works. Participants will be able to choose the work of art which, in their opinion, best reflects the profile and minerality of Chablis wines.

Adresse: LA COLLEZIONE - 〒107-0062
Tokyo, Minato-ku, Minamiaoyama,
6 chōme−1−3 南青山コレッツィオーネ 3F

Although Bourgogne wine export volumes were down (down 7% in 2022:2021), they remained on an upward trajectory over the five-year average: up 8% in volume for 19 million 75cl bottles exported (2022 compared with the average for 2017-2021).

Bourgogne white wines, more severely affected by the lost harvests in 2021, showed a decline in volume of 13%. Red wines and Crémant de Bourgogne, on the other hand, were back on the rise, up 2% and 6.4% respectively on 2021.

Turnover remained buoyant, confirming an excellent performance when set against the five-year average: up 35% to €290.9 million euros in 2022 compared to the average for 2017-2021. 2022 is the second consecutive year of revenue growth, after the economic downturn of 2020. This is a new record, at almost €300 million euros (up 13.9% on 2021).
The United States alone accounted for 19% of Bourgogne's export sales in 2022.

2023 is off to a slow start in this market, due to the shortage of Bourgogne wines. The gradual arrival of the 2022 vintage should encourage an upturn, however slight.

One hundred years ago, Edouard de Suremain, a winegrower in Mercurey but also chairman of the bar, along with Antoine Rousseau of Saint-Martin-sous-Montaigu (before he became mayor) and their winegrowing friends from the three villages of Bourgneuf-Val d'Or, Mercurey, and Saint-Martin sous Montaigu, went to the Tribunal de Chalon-sur-Saône to denounce the fact that winegrowers from certain neighbouring villages (Rully and Givry) were producing Mercurey on demand, when it suited their businesses.

This was the time when the notion of appellation contrôlée with all its customs and traditions had just been established by the law of 1919. The case was an important first in France, but especially in Bourgogne.

It should be noted that only three Bourgogne appellations were delimited by a court judgment:
- Pouilly-Fuissé, judgment of the Tribunal de Mâcon on December 17, 1922
- Mercurey, immediately after May 30, 1923, Judgment of Chalon-sur-Saône
- Pouilly-Loché, judgment of the Tribunal de Mâcon on December 1, 1931, just before the 80 appellations of Bourgogne of the time were delimited by decree in 1936.

A birthday celebration in three stages:
After the commemoration of the judgment and decree for the Mercurey appellation that took place on May 30, you can join:
- On Saturday, July 8: A big party to celebrate the 100th birthday for all the inhabitants and friends of Mercurey and Saint-Martin-sous-Montaigu
- On Saturday, December 2: The media and important wine connoisseurs will be invited to a conference on the history of the appellation and a horizontal and vertical tasting of Mercurey wines, followed by a Gala dinner.
 

After a successful debut in 2021, the VILL’ART Association is reprising its BAKUS festival for the 2023 vintage on July 15 and 16 at La Karrière.

In the middle of La Karrière - a former quarry converted into an artistic and creative space - the VILL'ART Association is coming together again to put on the BAKUS event for a second time, bringing together 15 new Artist and Winegrower pairings for an original tasting, combining the art of wine with that of painters and visual artists.

Visitors will be able to taste wine from 15 Bourgogne producers (domaines, négoces, caves), while 15 associated artists will enhance the work of the winemakers by creating a personalised, live artistic work.

Also on the programme: family entertainment, wine tasting with commentary, live-painting, a concert, high-quality wine tasting (reservation required) and dinner-show (reservation required)…

Philippe Bardet carried out major renovations in 2019. Today, Maison Jean Loron is a place which focuses on excellence for wine lovers. They will organise many different events.

Because tasting is a search for an emotion, "La Boutique" of Maison Jean Loron has been designed to let you choose your wine but also to share it in a timeless location.

Throughout the year, you can choose from one of four exclusive visits (booked 24 hours in advance) as well as unique enological workshops.
Tours in English are possible:
- Signature visit: Visit & tasting of five wines
- 360° visit: A virtual reality experience + tasting of seven wines
- Epicurean visit: Visit & tasting of five wines + a selection of snacks
- Haute couture visit: Visit & tasting of five wines + tasting on the barrels (sur fût)

WINE WORKSHOPS:
Maison Jean Loron is launching enological workshops!
These are courses that are fun, participative and professional. The enologists of Maison Jean Loron use their skills in tasting and their enological know-how and expertise about the Mâconnais to offer unique workshops that anyone can attend. Every month there’s a specific theme run by a specialist in the subject.

A WINE EXPERIENCE
Immersed in a 300-year-old winery with experts who are passionate about wine and the region. Maison Jean Loron welcomes wine connoisseurs and those with an interest in the subject into its professional tasting room, and also at its bar to facilitate access to knowledge via its enologists and Sophie, the wine tourism manager.

FROM NOVEMBER TO APRIL:
One workshop per month on specific themes: The Terroirs of Mâconnais, an introduction to tasting, a vertical Pouilly-Fuissé, food and wine pairings, a vertical Moulin-A-Vent, etc