Beaujolais-Villages Blanc 2024, Domaine Lachat

Pure nature crafted by Dutch winemakers in the Beaujolais. In 2018, Anne Lekkerkerker and her husband Thijs traded Amsterdam for the rolling hills of Régnié to realize their dream at Domaine Lachat. While the region is celebrated for red Gamay, this Beaujolais-Villages Blanc 2024 illustrates how remarkably elegant and refreshing Chardonnay grown on granitic soils can be.

In the glass, it displays a bright, pale gold hue. The nose opens enticingly with fresh floral aromas of white blossoms, crisp citrus, and white orchard fruit like green apple and ripe pear. On the palate, it is direct, crystalline, and unpretentious. Vibrant acidity coupled with a subtle granitic mineral edge gives this wine an honest, accessible, and invigorating profile with a clean, uplifting finish.

Key Highlights

• Terroir: 100% Chardonnay sourced from organically and regeneratively farmed plots at 350 to 400 meters elevation in Régnié-Durette, rooted in granitic soils.
• Sustainable Farming: Regenerative agriculture featuring agroforestry, permanent cover crops, and winter grazing by estate sheep and chickens to boost soil life.
• Winemaking & Ageing: Hand-harvested, followed by spontaneous fermentation using native yeasts under low-intervention cellar practices. Bottled with only a minimal dose of sulfites for stability.
• Tasting Profile: Fresh, floral, direct, and accessible. Notes of white blossom, citrus, green apple, pear, and a crisp, mineral granitic finish.
• Ageing Potential: Best enjoyed young for its vibrant fruit and freshness over the next 1 to 2 years.

Food Pairing

• Aperitif & Outdoor: An outstanding pour for casual gatherings, summer picnics, or sunny patio sips.
• Light Dishes: Pairs beautifully with fresh summer salads featuring mild goat cheese, sea bass ceviche, or fish tartare.
• Seafood & Cheese: Excellent match for steamed or pan-seared white fish and young, soft cheeses.
• Serving Suggestion: Best served chilled between 8°C and 10°C in crisp white wine glasses.

The Terroir for White Beaujolais

While white wine accounts for barely 2% of total Beaujolais production, high-altitude granitic plots in Régnié-Durette produce a distinct style of Chardonnay. The heat-retaining properties of granite combined with cool nocturnal winds at 400 meters grant the grapes a striking balance between fruit ripeness and focused mineral acidity.

About Domaine Lachat

Domaine Lachat is a boutique 3-hectare estate directed by Anne and Thijs Lekkerkerker. Combining hospitality expertise with a commitment to ecological farming, they manage their vineyards under regenerative and organic principles. Guided by low-intervention cellar practices, Anne creates honest, vibrant natural wines defined by clarity and genuine charm.