Mâcon, important commercial centre on the River Saône and capital of the Mâconnais dynamic district of burgundy which produces considerable quantities of white wine and some red. Unlike in the Côte d’Or to the north (see map under france), vineyards on the rolling limestone hills of the Mâconnais are interspersed with land dedicated to livestock and arable farming. Côte d’Or producers as renowned as Leflaive and Lafon are investing in this southerly region.
The climate and ambience of the region differ from the Côte d’Or however: southern tiles are used for roofs, cicadas can be heard in summer, and the vineyards benefit from more sun, less rain, and little risk of frost. beaujolais is to the immediate south of the Mâconnais.
