Clos des Mouches takes its name from the medieval French word for bees. The south-east facing slope gets plenty of sun, encouraging flowering plants and, historically, plenty of bees. It’s one of Beaune’s best known Premier Cru sites, and a serious place for Chardonnay.

Marc Cugney farms biodynamically and harvests by hand. The wine is fermented and aged in oak, but with a light touch, allowing the site to show rather than the barrel. The result is a white Burgundy that balances generosity with precision.

Aromatically it’s restrained and fine, with citrus and fresh orchard fruit to start. On the palate it’s both mineral and rounded, with good depth and a long, measured finish. With time in bottle it becomes more complex, picking up subtle savoury and tertiary notes alongside the fruit.

Food Pairing

This is a wine that suits richer dishes. It works well with grilled lobster or langoustines, foie gras, or strong, washed-rind cheeses such as Époisses, where its weight and length stand up to the intensity of the food without overwhelming it.