Chassagne-Montrachet, a history and a geological profile very different from its neighbours on the Côte de Beaune
Chassagne-Montrachet (pronounced: "mon-rachet") is one of the villages of the Côte de Beaune, in the department of Côte-d'Or, classified among the communal appellations of the vineyard.
The Chassagne-Montrachet Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée dates from 1937. Its production extends over 172.7 hectares as well as a small part on its neighboring village: Remigny (6.5 hectares) in Saône-et-Loire. This appellation offers both white wines, made from the Chardonnay grape variety (60% of its production) and red wines, based on Pinot Noir (40% of its production).
=> Particularity for the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation, each winemaker can choose at any time to change the color of the wine, regardless of its climate.
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")
Here is the hierarchy of appellations for Chassagne-Montrachet
- Chassagne-Montrachet
- Chassagne-Montrachet premier cru
- Chassagne-Montrachet premier cru + name of the original climate
- Chassagne-Montrachet + name of the original climate
Red wines from the production area of this appellation can also claim the Côte de Beaune-Village appellation. Here is the list of climates (localities) classified as premier cru:
- Clos Saint-Jean
- Cailleret
- The Chaumées
- The Orchards
- The Chevenottes
- The Macherelles
- In Remilly
- Dog Tooth
- Empty Stock Exchange
- Blanchot-Dessus
- The Maltroie
- The Brussonnes
- Morgeot
- Morgeot Abbey
- Bois de Chassagne
- The Great Mountain
- The Boudriotte
- Earnings Fields
- Tonton Marcel
Soil
The Chardonnay grape varieties for white wines and Pinot Noir for red wines flourish very well in Chassagne-Montrachet because of the complexity of its terroirs.
The village of Chassagne-Montrachet is located on the east-south-east facing hillside, between 200 and 325 meters above sea level.
Depending on the climate, the soil is composed of calcareous and stony soils, marly or more sandy (Jurassic foundations).
The #Bourgogne fight against #gel this morning in the Beaune sector, chassagne montrachet. Photo taken around 6:15 this morning. pic.twitter.com/2Db4NxmiDb
— Vitisphere-La Vigne (@lv_vitisphere) April 14, 2019
Tasting
The white wine of Chassagne-Montrachet comes in a beautiful golden color with greenish reflections. A very pleasant nose, a beautiful aromatic power, notes of flowers (hawthorn, acacia, honeysuckle, verbena, …), aromas of almond, ripe apple, honey and buttery notes. On the palate, it is delicious, elegant, beautiful roundness, voluminous; we also find the fat of Chardonnay with a remarkable persistence in the finish.
Chassagne-Montrachet blanc goes very well with fish, especially salmon, exceptional white meats such as poultry, veal in sauce. And for surprising pairings, the Curry-flavored Asian cuisine will be perfect!
For the first growths, noble dishes such as lobster or lobster. The food and wine pairing will be exceptional, a beautiful tasting awaits you.
It is advisable to serve the wine between 12 and 14 ° C, the Chassagne-Montrachet blanc can be forgotten in the cellar between 3 to 12 years without problem.
The Chassagne-Montrachet red appellation reveals a pretty bright red color with purplish reflections. On the nose a very beautiful bouquet, with aromas of red and black fruits (strawberry, raspberry, currant, cherry, cherry kernel, plum, blackcurrant …), animal and spicy notes appear several years after bottling. In the mouth, tannins are present, it is a complex wine with a beautiful structure, body and power.
In order to sublimate this wine, here are some ideas for dishes: roast lamb, grilled pork, Bresse poultry with cream, scallops, cheeses such as morbier, goat or comté.
It is advisable to serve the wine between 14 and 16 ° C, a aging potential of 5 to 15 years is possible.
Want to own a bottle of Chassagne-Montrachet? Come and discover our selection of wines from this prestigious Burgundy appellation on Chassagne Montrachet.
Attention: the prices of Chassagne Montrachet wines are relatively high, due to the reputation of the wine and its quality
=> Be careful, however, not to confuse the "grand cru" Montrachet appellation and the communal appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet.
