Preconceived ideas are not uncommon when people talk about Beaujolais. Those who automatically think of beaujolais as a ‘petit vin’ they should try Pierre-Marie Chermette’s wines from Domaine du Vissoux.
Pierre-Marie has 30 ha, 10 of which are Beaujolais “cru” (from one of the top villages). He is based in the southern part of the appellation but his vineyards are a bit everywhere. This means that he has several different soil types, which he points out when you talk to him (and he can also show you different types of stones to prove the point).
Terroir is important for Pierre-Marie. His wines definitely taste like Beaujolais but there is nothing of the banana-flavours that you can find in some of the wines. Instead you have fresh fruit with raspberries and a high and refreshing acidity. His Fleurie has a touch of flowers and minerality, the Moulin-à-Vent has more of lingon-berries (airelles), blueberries and cranberry. One of our great favourites in the Beaujolais.
