Frederic Berne
2024
Beaujolais Lantignié Gamay Noir Organic, Frédéric Berne
View details →£17.20
The SommPills Cellar
Frederic Berne
1 wine on the Frederic Berne shelf, chosen one at a time.
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Frederic Berne
1 wines on the shelf
Frédéric Berne is a Beaujolais producer whose portfolio encompasses five appellations—spanning Lantignié, Morgon, Régnié, Chiroubles, and Beaujolais-Villages—cultivated across just under eight hectares under certified organic management. Raised on a farm in the region, he founded his domaine in 2013 after working throughout southern Burgundy, driven by a conviction that wine should express its soil and surroundings with precision. His granite-based vineyards produce wines of genuine elegance and purity—the kind of Gamay that rewards serious drinking, not casual sipping.
About Frederic Berne
Frédéric's vineyards are planted on granite bedrock laced with quartz, geology that directly shapes his wines' character. He hand-harvests all grapes and uses minimal intervention throughout production: indigenous yeasts only, no commercial additions. Maceration duration varies from 5 to 15 days according to the ripeness level of the fruit and individual parcel characteristics. Where other producers rely on technique to compensate for poor site selection, Frédéric lets his terroir do the talking.
His Lantignié bottlings exemplify this approach. The 'Granit Rose' blends parcels from pink granite soils, fermented 100% whole-bunch in stainless steel, producing exuberant red fruit with fine tannins. The 'Pierre Bleue' uses clay soils instead, creating a more fragrant wine with bramble and black cherry compote character. Both wines cost far less than equivalently scored Burgundy reds. Frédéric has also begun producing Lantignié Gamay Noir, unoaked and whole-bunch fermented, as his case for Lantignié becoming the 11th official Beaujolais Cru.
His Régnié 'La Pierre' comes from a 1.5-hectare parcel at 300 metres elevation on granite and quartz soils, aged 12 months in used oak. The result combines bright fruit with the power and concentration that this site is known for, scored 91 by James Suckling.
Frederic Berne Wines in Our Collection
Start with the 2023 Beaujolais Lantignié 'Pierre Bleue' (93 pts, James Suckling and The Wine Front): this is the wine that proves Beaujolais can age and improve. Clay soils give it savory depth and structure that lingers. If you want immediate drinkability and a lighter touch, the 2025 Beaujolais Lantignié 'Granit Rose' (91 pts, James Suckling) is a crisp, dry expression of whole-bunch fermentation on pink granite—excellent with charcuterie or on its own. The 2021 Morgon 'Corcelette' (91 pts, James Suckling) is the serious wine: concentrated, perfumed, with the grip and ageing potential that sets it apart from entry-level Beaujolais. All three are Gamay, all reflect their specific soil type, and all offer the kind of precision you expect from an estate producer who controls every stage of production.
Food Pairing
Pair the lighter Lantignié wines with roasted chicken, duck breast, or mushroom risotto. The Morgon 'Corcelette' handles richer fare: beef stew, pâté, aged Comté cheese. Frédéric's whole-bunch fermentation style creates wines with enough tannin structure and acidity to cut through fat without heaviness. All work beautifully slightly chilled on warm evenings, and all will evolve over three to seven years in bottle.
Is Frédéric Berne's wine organic?
Yes. All nearly eight hectares are certified organic. Frédéric uses indigenous yeasts only during fermentation and follows minimal intervention throughout production.
What makes the granite soils important?
Granite bedrock laced with quartz lends elegance, purity and fine tannins to the final wines. Different granite types—pink or blue—create distinct flavour profiles in Lantignié bottlings.
Which Frederic Berne wine should I choose?
Start with Lantignié 'Pierre Bleue' (93 pts) for depth; Granit Rose for immediate pleasure; Morgon 'Corcelette' (91 pts) for serious ageing potential and concentration.
Who makes Frédéric Berne wines?
Frédéric Berne founded his domaine in 2013 after working throughout southern Burgundy. Raised on a farm in the region, he now runs just under eight hectares of certified organic vineyards across five Beaujolais appellations: Lantignié, Morgon, Régnié, Chiroubles, and Beaujolais-Villages.
What style of wine does Frédéric Berne make?
Berne makes Gamay wines from granite-based soils using minimal intervention: indigenous yeasts only, hand-harvested fruit, and whole-bunch fermentation. His Lantignié 'Pierre Bleue' (93 pts) is savory and classic; his 'Granit Rose' (91 pts) is crisp and dry; his Morgon is light and perfumed.
How much does Frédéric Berne wine cost?
Frédéric Berne wines range between £17.20 and £22.35. His entry-level organic Gamay Noir starts at £17.20, while his flagship Lantignié and Morgon bottlings sit between £20.75 and £22.35.
Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.