Written on 23/09/2020
Land of legends
After discovering the Côte-de-Nuits, the journey into Burgundy continues, a little further south...
THE CÔTE DE BEAUNE
This is the second half of the duo that makes up the Côte d'Or, along with the Côte-de-Nuits. Many factors distinguish them, starting with the soil in which the vines grow. We'll spare you complicated geological terms that won't enlighten you any further, but to sum up: the rocks of the Côte de Beaune are more recent than those of its northern twin. Exposure also differs. While Côte de Nuits vineyards tend to face east, Côte de Beaune vineyards face south-east. Finally, the few kilometers separating the two Côtes are enough to give the Côte de Beaune an average of one degree more . There are more white wines here, and these are considered some of the best in the world: Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne... So many wines that you must try at least once in your cellar and on your table!
But let's not forget the exceptional reds produced in these regions: Pommard, Volnay, Santenay... Names that have travelled far and wide thanks to their regular, grandiose vintages.
THE CÔTE CHALONNAISE
A little further south, we find ourselves in the Côte Chalonnaise, between the Dheune and Grosne valleys. Here, islands of vineyards share the landscape with forests and fields. Cycling here is highly recommended, and you'll find that your calves don't even ache! Stopping off at the estates, you'll find ruby reds and refined whites. These thousand-year-old vineyards, made famous by the monks of Cluny and the Dukes of Burgundy, maintain their reputation vintage after vintage thanks to their southeast exposure and ideal climatic conditions (hot summers, dry autumns). Here, you'll find premier crus such as Bouzeron, Givry, Mercurey and Rully.
