Marchand-Tawse
Burgundy, France
A bottle of Marchand-Tawse wine provides a window into the life and work of a defining figure in modern Burgundy winemaking. Originally from Quebec, Pascal Marchand settled in Burgundy in the 1980s. Upon completing his studies, Marchand became only the second non-Frenchman to ever be appointed as the head of a Burgundian estate when he was hired as the winemaker for Comte Armand’s eponymous Pommard domaine. Marchand took Clos des Epeneaux from relative obscurity to international prominence by implementing organic farming and modern winemaking techniques, all while retaining the wines’ inherently rugged character. Marchand became an overnight sensation and veteran tasters will tell you without hesitation that the wines were a revelation at the time.
Marchand’s second act was no less impressive, when he was approached by the Boisset family to launch the Domaine de la Vougeraie. Pascal took over in 1999 and transitioned everything to organic, then to biodynamic viticulture. Much like at Comte Armand, his wines were a clear reflection of their various terroirs and Marchand’s belief that good grapes come from healthy vineyards.
In 2011, Marchand’s partnership with fellow French Canadian, Moray Tawse of the Tawse Winery in Niagara, one of Canada’s most recognized wineries, produced Maison Marchand-Tawse. Initially focused entirely on négociant releases, the purchase of the venerable Domaine Maume in Gevrey-Chambertin in 2012, allowed for Marchand-Tawse to steadily grow and now offer an impressive range of wines.
Marchand-Tawse own and farm parcels in approximately twenty appellations, ranging from Bourgogne to Grand Cru, providing approximately 30% of their fruit supply. All fruit is hand-picked from biodynamically farmed vineyards, and different wines incorporate varying amounts of whole clusters into their final product. Wines are aged in both stainless-steel tanks and barrels. Combining expertise, passion and longstanding relationships with local growers, Marchand-Tawse create exceptional wines that showcase the unique terroir of Burgundy.
