Now, this is exactly the type of producer that Roy could have a good natter with over a few glasses of the good stuff. Preferably Frédéric Cossard wines. This is a man with a big personality, dashing directness and true zest for (wine) life. Even better, Fred had little introduction to winemaking (previously a dairy farmer), having not benefitted from a family wine pedigree. Instead, he has been very much bottom-up from the outset as a pioneer of organic farming. Looking for Burgundy of ethereal quality, elegance and beauty? Step right up, step in time!
Founded in 1996, Domaine de Chassorney started out life with a small parcel of rented vines, before growing to expand across several villages in the Côte de Beaune, with notable holdings in the understated Saint-Romain and Auxey-Duresses villages. Two of the less renowned, smaller communes of Burgundy, but when liquid taste this good, that's no bad thing. Interestingly, and somewhat as a testament to his character, the man favours elévage in concrete eggs and earthenware jars over Burgundy's conventional oak barrels. Decades worth of organic farming is also showing its worth on the basis of most recent vintages.
As of the 2022 vintage, Domaine de Chassorney is actually now run by Fred's apprentice Aurélien Verdet, having mentored him over a number of years. Wines are made in his family's cellar in Arcenant (Bourgogne). Considering his family roots are steeped in organic winemaking, the estate is in safe hands. There is however, further good news. Fortunately, for us, Fred now spends all of his time on his exciting negociant project. This involves working with a large number of producers to gather the finest of fruit, spanning wider Burgundy, and even covering as far as Beaujolais. These are also well worth checking out, especially when they offer such good value.
