The Grands Crus of Burgundy

Burgundy and its appellations

The Burgundy vineyard is one of the oldest in France. It is incredible, for centuries, the monks, the Dukes of Burgundy, the owners of the Burgundy estates, the winegrowers, … have managed to leave an imprint in the world of wine !

This is why the notion of terroir is very important in Burgundy, all the work related to the vine by the winegrowers, the nature of the soil, the sunshine, the grape varieties used, the location of the culture and many criteria make it possible to differentiate the appellations. Burgundy has a quarter of the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée), or 83 out of 366 AOC wines in France.

In Burgundy, the different plots determine a regional, communal, premier cru and grand cru appellation according to their geographical location.

Hierarchy of appellations in Burgundy

In order to better navigate, its 83 appellations have been divided into 4 levels:

 

• Grands Cru appellations
• Premiers cru appellations
• Communal appellations (villages)
• Regional names (sometimes called "generic" or "sub-regional")

   

Let's focus on the Grands Crus of Burgundy:

A Grand Cru is produced on certain plot classified Grand Cru (called climate), the fame of these wines is of immense importance! These are plots of only a few hectares, a total of 1 to 2% of the Burgundy vineyard, which makes it rare.

These Grands Crus are spread over Chablis, the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune, for a total of 33 Grands Crus.

Each Grand Cru has its own very strict specifications , each year the quality of the wine offered is checked. Everything must comply with the criteria of the Grand Cru appellation so that it is not downgraded to premier cru.

You can recognize the bottle of a grand cru just by looking at the label. Since the Grand Cru appellation is written prominently, it is an obligation. It can be seen below the name of the appellation in equal characters, in order not to be confused with other appellations.

The Côte de Nuits

This magnificent sub-region of Burgundy produces famous Grands Crus, known throughout the world on an exceptional terroir !

These grands crus are mainly red wine from the Pinot Noir grape variety, with one exception the Grand Cru AOC Musigny blanc, from the Chardonnay grape variety which remains a confidential production.

The Côte de nuits is composed of several villages Gevrey Chambertin, Morey Saint Denis, Chambolle Musigny, Vougeot, Vosne Romanée and Flagey-Echezeaux. Each with grands crus that we will see just below:

Gevrey Chambertin, AOC grand cru

The world-famous Gevrey Chambertin Grands Crus form a compact block exposed to the east between 260 and 280 meters above sea level. Located on both sides of the Route des Grands Crus, these vines rest on hard , limestone rock. For those below the route des Grands Crus, it is different, they are lower in altitude and the limestone is hard.

The village of Gevrey Chambertin with nine grands crus :

• Chambertin

• Chambertin-clos de Bèze

• Charmes-Chambertin

• Mazoyères-Chambertin

• Chambertin Chapel

• Griottes-Chambertin

• Latricières-Chambertin

• Mazis-Chambertin

• Ruchottes-Chambertin

=> If you want to know everything, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, a great figure in the history of France had "fallen under the spell" of these wines, a preference for Chambertin , he drank them at every meal!

Morey Saint Denis, AOC grand cru

The Morey Saint Denis appellation is composed of five grands crus located on limestone and clay-limestone soils, exposed to the Levant, between 220 and 270 meters above sea level. It is surely one of the appellations that has the largest area in grand cru (about 40 hectares) compared to its total area of 140 hectares; exceptional for Burgundy!

An exception for the Musigny Grand Cru, it is the only one in the Côte de Nuits that exists in white (Chardonnay grape variety) and red (Pinot Noir grape variety). During the tasting, we recognize these great wines since they are fine, precious, all in lace.

Vosne Romanée, AOC grand cru

• The Romanée

• The Task

• Richebourg

• The Grande Rue

• Romanée

• La Romanée-Conti

The Grands-Echézeaux and Echézeaux are grands crus since July 31, 1937, created by the monks of Citeaux.

The Grand Cru Echézeaux appellation offers a red wine, of light ruby color, with intense aromas of red fruits (notes of cherries), spices, truffles. Palate, complex, structured with a long length. This grand cru will perfectly accompany red meats in sauce, game and why not cheeses. Great wines intended for ageing 10, 15 years and more for some.

 

The Côte de Beaune

For some, the Grands Crus of the Côte de Beaune are the best white wines in the world, they shine internationally: in total, the vineyard includes ten Grands Crus in white and one Grand Cru in red. The winegrowers highlight their know-how, their exceptional terroir and their passion for wine !

Three villages

Corton is the most important grand cru of Burgundy (in white and red), it is produced in three villages: Aloxe-Corton, Ladoix-Serrigny and Pernand-Vergelesses. Between them, they share the terroir and the grand cru, climates of origin can be added to the name of the Corton appellation but only if it is red:

Municipality of Aloxe-Corton :

• The Pougets
• The Tabs
• The Corton
• The Foxes
• Strikes
• The Clos du Roi
• The Chaumes
• The Perrières
• The Bressandes
• The Paulands
• The Maréchaudes
• The Fiètres
• The Meix Lallemand
• Clos des Meix
• The Combes
• The Vine at the Saint

  Commune of Ladoix-Serrigny :

• Le Rognet and Corton
• Clos des Cortons Faiveley
• The Moutottes
• Careers
• Low Mourottes
• High Mourottes
• The Vergennes
• The Grandes Lolières
• La Toppe au Vert

  Commune of Pernand-Vergelesses :

• Trough of the Net
• In Caradeux
• Vergelesses Island
• The Low Vergelesses
• The Fichots
• The Plants of the Fields and Combottes
• Under Les Clos Berthe

 

The Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne appellation includes that of the Charlemagne appellation, which is no longer claimed today, but has not been abolished. These two appellations are white wines exclusively, Corton Charlemagne has varied profiles. You can also find scents of cinnamon, fresh nuts, pepper, exotic fruits as well asthose of flint and lemon, for the cold slopes. It is a very well balanced wine between mellow and acidity. A grand cru with a very beautiful power and an extraordinary persistence !

Ladoix-Serrigny, AOC grand cru

• Corton (white and red)

• Corton-Charlemagne (white)

 

Aloxe-Corton, AOC grand cru

• Corton (white and red)

• Corton-Charlemagne (white)

• Charlemagne (white)

   

Pernand-Vergelesses, AOC grand cru

• Corton (white and red)

• Corton-Charlemagne (white)

• Charlemagne (white)

   

Puligny-Montrachet, AOC grand cru

12 kilometres south of Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet has four grands crus exclusively in white :

• Montrachet

• Chevalier-Montrachet

• Batard-Monrachet

• Welcome-Batard-Montrachet

Montrachet and its Grands Crus produce world-renowned dry white wines . Once in the mouth the wine is revealed, flavors of fresh butter, brioche, hazelnut, mineral (flint), also honey. A perfect balance, a beautiful creaminess, deep and an infinite length. Not to mention accompanying this grand cru of Puligny-Montrachet with refined dishes such as lobster, lobster or roast veal with a cream sauce.

 

Chassagne-Montrachet, AOC grand cru

The three famous Grands Crus of Chassagne-Montrachet are also only in white :

• Montrachet

• Batard-Montrachet

• Criots-Batard-Montrachet

A gold color with greenish reflections, aromas of flowers like hawthorn, honeyed, toasted, hazelnut notes, a surprising minerality (flint), in the mouth an explosion of flavors, a beautiful opulence and the fat balances perfectly with its softness. Sublime, it makes you want to taste it, doesn't it?