An 1130 Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2025
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted poultry, creamy seafood pasta, and soft bloomy-rind cheeses.
✨ Technical Specifications
Gerard Bertrand's 'An 1130' Chardonnay is a liquid tribute to the rich monastic winemaking heritage of the Languedoc. The name commemorates the year 1130, when Cistercian monks first established vineyards around the historic Abbey of Fontfroide, pioneering the identification of the region's finest terroirs. Sourced from selected vineyards in cooler microclimates of the Languedoc, this 100% Chardonnay benefits from warm Mediterranean days balanced by cooling nightly breezes, preserving its natural acidity. The wine is partially fermented and aged in French oak barrels, imparting a delicate complexity that weaves ripe citrus, white peach, and golden apple aromas with subtle notes of toasted brioche, vanilla, and wild honey. It represents a harmonious bridge between medieval tradition and modern Southern French winemaking excellence.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1992 by former French international rugby player Gérard Bertrand following the legacy of his father Georges at Domaine de Villemajou, the estate has emerged as an undisputed pioneer of fine wine in the Languedoc. Headquartered at the coastal Château l'Hospitalet within the limestone massif of La Clape, Bertrand orchestrates over 900 hectares of vineyard land across premium terroirs spanning Corbières, Minervois-La-Livinière, Terrasses du Larzac, and Limoux. The enterprise represents the world’s largest producer of Demeter-certified biodynamic wines, guided by regenerative viticulture, lunar cycles, and chemical-free soil stewardship. Cellar craftsmanship combines precise temperature control, indigenous ferments, and tailored French oak maturation to articulate South of France typicity. Benchmark releases range from iconic single-vineyard crus such as Clos d'Ora, Clos du Temple, and Cigalus to vibrant, terroir-driven white and red bottlings, alongside celebrated Mediterranean cuvées like Côte des Roses.