Chardonnay was not always planted in the Corton Charlemagne wine region of France. During the reign of King Charlemagne it is believed Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté were the main white varietals. This intrigued Jim Clendenen to a degree that in 1998, Au Bon Climat created its first Hildegard blend, named after Charlemagne’s wife. A success from the start, we never stopped.
This distinctive blend gets the best of everything including 16 months barrel age in all new François Frères French oak, creating something special. It has a texture, complexity, and distinctiveness that cannot be found in a single white wine varietal.
