Louis Max, of Russian origin, founded his House of Burgundy wines in Nuits-Saint-Georges in 1859.
A person with a very developed sense of commerce who travelled widely, he also acquired over the years, an important experience of winemaking. It is especially with the restructuring of the vineyards, during the first half of the 20th century, that the House commenced a vigorous policy in the selection of grapes of only the highest quality from the various appellations, that it vinified and matured adding to them the guarantee of its signature, its Brand.
The House has always retained a family structure and today, a motivated team, has allowed the brand to develop notoriety throughout France and the five continents. The export team constantly visits the four corners of the globe as an Ambassador For “Bourgogne” of excellence and refinement.
This motivation and passion for great wines, handed down from generation to generation, has made the reputation of the House and amplified sales in four major markets; namely, export sales, airlines, reputed hotels and restaurants as well as direct-customer sales.
To achieve this level, the House of Louis Max has not hesitated to dote it self with all the means for success. Firstly, in addition to its activity as a Negociant-Eleveur, the House owns or operates over 165 Ha: 27ha in Mercurey, 18ha in the Côte de Nuits and 120ha in the Corbières with an organic agriculture certified by the Ecocert Label.
Furthermore, from a technical aspect, the House has invested in a modern vat house and has developed its own technology for hand sorting of the grapes with separate vinification by allotment, according to the vineyard and vintage, as well as the fermentation and maturing of the wines in variable sized aluminium tanks or in oak barrels. It is with these painstaking efforts that each wine is able to develop its individual character and specific typicity.
The Vineyards
An estate of 27 ha “Domaine La Marche” in Mercurey with the appellations of Mercurey Premier Cru Les Vasées, Mercurey Clos du Chapitre, Mercurey Blanc Les Rochelles as well as the famous monopole of Mercurey Clos La Marche.
Long-term contacts with winegrowers, totalling some 45 ha meticulously chosen in the best appellations of Chablis and in the heart of wine-growing Burgundy the Côte-ďOr.
In the Côte de Nuits: Clos-de-Vougeot, Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Chaignots, Gevrey Chambertin and the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits. In the Côtes de Beaune: Puligny-Montrachet Les Champs Gains, Volnay Clos des Chênes, Savigny Les Vergelesses.
The Cellars
Following fermentation, the wines are placed in oak barrels in the cellars dating back to the XⅧ century. The natural exceptional conditions in these cellars allow the wines to mature gradually devoid of any vibrations or changes in temperature. Here again, the House of Louis Max has been able to dote itself with all of the necessary means to allow for the ageing of each individual appellation within some 750 oak barrels, each with a capacity of 228 litres, and where every year 30% are replaced with new barrels.
The Quality
Louis Max places great importance on the distinctive characteristics of each appellation allowing for each wine to express its individual personality.
To achieve this the House carries out; green-harvesting if necessary, limited quantity harvesting, hand sorting of the grapes at the press-house, soft pressing of the grapes along with vinification methods adapted to each parcel of each vineyard.
Throughout the long ageing process, the cellar-master regularly tastes and analyses each wine to verify the evolution of the maturing process before these are finally bottled in Nuits-Saint-Georges.
It is the concern for detail and innovation coupled with the search for perfection that has made the reputation of the House. Today, Louis Max wines are chosen by reputed wine-waiters, restaurateurs, fine wine and delicatessen shops as well as many demanding individuals throughout the world. Furthermore, Louis Max supplies several major airlines and cruise ships.
A few words from our Winemaker…
“The plants belong to nature, just like the vine and the grape grow in harmony with the soils and climatic conditions.
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir as well as Aligoté are the grape varieties best adapted to the soils and the climate in Burgundy.
They give high-class white and red wines. Each grape variety is characterized by flavours either of vegetable origin (fruity or floral), or of “animal” origin:
Pinot Noir: cherry, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, currant, violet, leather, chive…
Chardonnay: pear, peach, fruits exotic, citrus fruits, lime, acacia, elder tree…
According to the years and the climatic conditions, nature varies the intensity of the flavours and the structure of the grape. Therefore year on year the wines will vary in their fruity or floral flavours (concentrated or “diluted”).
The “rule” at Louis Max is to preserve the authenticity of each year’s vintage and thus to respect the decision of nature. By empowering the role of the vine growers and winemakers, we seek a delicate oak integration to support the fresh fruit flavours. At the last stages, we direct our work on the tannins, according to the acidity and the degree of alcohol so as to reach a balance which will make our wines round, flexible and silky.”
Douby PERRIN, Winemaker at Louis Max.
Bourgogne Chardonnay Beaucharme
Bourgogne Chardonnay
The Burgundy region begins a hundred kilometers south from Paris and spreads itself down to Lyon. It stretches on 360 kilometers (225 miles).
Burgundy is a region with various soils, divided in numerous districts: Chablis, Côte ďOr (divided in Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune), Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais.
Chardonnay is the very famous grape which produce the best dry white wines in the World. 32000 Ha are planted in the all Burgundy.
Grape Variety
100% Chardonnay
Ageing: It will keep from three to five years.
Service: Serving Temperature
The ideal serving temperature is between 12 and 14℃.
Food Pairing
As aperitif, or serve with green salad, cold starter of fish.