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The Cote d'Or, Burgundy - An Introduction and Overview

January 30, 2023
Wine Regions

The Côte d’Or

The Côte d’Or is a wine-producing region located in the eastern part of Burgundy, France. It is divided into two main regions: the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. 

The Côte de Nuits is known for producing some of the finest red wines in the world, while the Côte de Beaune is known for producing some of the finest white wines in the world.

The Côte de Nuits is located in the northern part of the Côte d’Or and stretches from Marsannay to Dijon. It is home to several famous villages, including Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Flagey-Echézeaux, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges. These villages are known for producing wines that are rich, full-bodied, and complex. The most famous grape variety grown in the Côte de Nuits is Pinot Noir, which is used to produce some of the most sought-after red wines in the world. Some of the most famous producers in the Côte de Nuits include Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leroy, and Domaine Georges Roumier, amongst others.

Gevrey-Chambertin is one of the most famous villages in the Côte de Nuits. The wines produced here are known for their rich, dark colour, intense fruit flavours and robust tannins. Gevrey-Chambertin wines are considered to be some of the most complex and powerful wines in the region, and are often aged for several years before being released for sale. Some of the most famous producers in Gevrey-Chambertin include Domaine Armand Rousseau and Domaine Drouhin-Laroze.

Morey-Saint-Denis is another important village in the Côte de Nuits. The wines produced here are known for their rich, full-bodied character and intense fruit flavours. They are made mainly from the Pinot Noir grape and are known for their sometimes rustic tannins and electric acidity. Morey-Saint-Denis wines are considered to be some of the most full-bodied wines in the region. Some of the most famous producers in Morey-Saint-Denis include Domaine Dujac and Domaine des Lambrays.

Chambolle-Musigny is a village located just north of Gevrey-Chambertin. The wines produced here are known for their delicate, floral character and elegant fruit flavours. They are made mainly from the Pinot Noir grape and are known for their light-bodied character and more approachable tannins. The wines of Chambolle-Musigny are considered to be some of the most delicate and elegant wines of the region. Some of the most famous producers in Chambolle-Musigny include Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé and Domaine Ghislaine Barthod.

The Côte de Beaune is located in the southern part of the Côte d’Or and stretches from Ladoix-Serrigny to Santenay. It is home to several famous villages, including Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, and Saint Aubin. These villages are known for producing wines that are elegant, refined and complex. The most famous grape variety grown
in the Côte de Beaune is Chardonnay, which is used to produce some of the most sought-after white wines in the world. Some of the most famous producers in the Côte de Beaune include Domaine Leflaive, Domaine des Comtes Lafon, and Domaine Ramonet.

Aloxe-Corton is one of the most famous villages in the Côte de Beaune. The wines produced here are known for their rich, full-bodied character and intense fruit flavours. They are made mainly from the Pinot Noir grape and are known for their robust tannins and good acidity. Aloxe-Corton wines are considered to be powerful and full-bodied. Some of the most famous producers in Aloxe-Corton include Bonneau du Martray and Domaine Leroy.

Beaune is the capital of the Côte de Beaune and is known for producing wines that are elegant and refined. The wines produced here are made mainly from the Pinot Noir grape and are known for their delicate, floral character and elegant fruit flavours. Some of the most famous producers in Beaune include Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils and Domaine Joseph Drouhin which are two large negociant houses who own significant amounts of land. Beaune is famous for having a multitude of different premier cru vineyards, some of which are a contentious topic as critics and growers do not believe they are worthy of this status
Pommard is a village located just south of Beaune. The wines produced here are known for their rich, full-bodied character and intense fruit flavours alongside powerful and sometimes coarse tannins . They are made mainly from the Pinot Noir grape. Some of the most famous producers in Pommard include Domaine Comte Armand and Domaine de la Vougeraie.

Volnay is a village located just south of Pommard. The wines produced here are known for their delicate, floral character and elegant fruit flavours. They are made mainly from the Pinot Noir grape and are known for their light-bodied character and soft tannins. Volnay wines are considered to be some of the most delicate and elegant wines in the region. Some of the most famous producers in Volnay include Domaine Marquis d’Angerville, Domaine Michel Lafarge and Domaine des Comtes Lafon.

Meursault is a village located just south of Puligny-Montrachet. The wines produced here are known for their rich, full-bodied character and intense fruit flavours. They are made mainly from the Chardonnay grap. Meursault wines are considered to be some of the most powerful and full-bodied wines in the region. Some of the most famous producers in Meursault include Domaine Roulot, Domaine Antoine Jobard, Domaine Coche-Dury and Domaine des Comtes Lafon.

Puligny-Montrachet is a village located just south of Meursault. The wines produced here are known for their delicate, floral character and elegant fruit flavours. They are made mainly from the Chardonnay grape and are known for their light-bodied character and softer phenolic grip. Puligny-Montrachet wines are considered to be some of the most delicate and elegant wines in the region. Some of the most famous producers in Puligny-Montrachet include Domaine Leflaive and Domaine Jean-Claude Bachelet.
Chassagne-Montrachet is a village located just south of Puligny-Montrachet. The wines produced here are known for their rich, full-bodied character and intense fruit flavors. They are made mainly from the Chardonnay grape and are known for their robust tannins and good acidity. Chassagne-Montrachet wines are considered to be some of the most powerful and full-bodied wines in the region alongside Meursault. Some of the most famous producers in Chassagne-Montrachet include Domaine Ramonet and Domaine Jean-Noel Gagnard.

In conclusion, the Côte d’Or of Burgundy is home to some of the most sought-after and renowned wines in the world. The Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune are both known for producing wines that are unique in their own way, with the Côte de Nuits being known for its powerful, full-bodied red wines which are still endlessly elegant and refined, and the Côte de Beaune being known for its delicate, elegant white wines which still carry significant underlying power. Each village has its own unique characteristics and all having their own distinct styles and flavours. The most famous producers in each village are also known for their exceptional wines and their contribution to the reputation of the wines of Burgundy.