Côte Chalonnaise

The Cote Chalonnaise is a wine region with about 2400 hectares of land in the department of Saône -et -Loire in the Burgundy region of France. The Côte Chalonnaise lies to the west of the town of Chalon- sur -Saône. It closes at Chagny south to the Côte de Beaune, and extends over 35 km in length according to Montagny- lès- Buxy where the Maconnais begins. The vineyard is divided into 44 municipalities, of which Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey, Givry and Montagny have their own appellations. In addition to the above-mentioned communities, the places Chagny, Fontaines, Jambles, Poncey, Saint-Desert and Saint- Valerin be mentioned. In addition, the sub-regional appellation " Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise " with 485 hectares of vineyards, was introduced in 1990. Sparkling wine is sold in respectable quantities under the appellation of Crémant de Bourgogne, which is mainly produced in Rully, where the most important sparkling wine manufacturers have their headquarters. Even many winemakers in the Côte- d'Or its sparkling wines can be produced here.

Soil and climate

The geology of the Côte Chalonnaise from two different areas. In the north the strata dip to the east of the Saône plain, south of the fracture zone of Saint- Désert they tend to west to the mountain range of the Morvan. The subsoil consists of formations of the Jurassic and Triassic periods, punctuated by limestone, sandstone and marl. The relief is characterized by low hills due to numerous faults. In the northern part outweigh the eastern slopes, in the south western orientations.

The climate is predominantly continental, a Mediterranean influence, however, is to feel stronger the further one moves to the south. The high and 900 m Morvan protects the vineyards before humid westerly winds.

Grape varieties and wines

Approximately 75% of the Côte Chalonnaise production attributable to red wine. In Rebsatz outweighs the Pinot Noir. In addition, Pinot and Gamay Liébault are grown. Particularly good conditions is the Pinot Noir on the brown limestone soils to Givry and Mercurey. White wine is vinified primarily from Chardonnay. In the marl soils of Rully and Montagny in the south to the north he thrives particularly well. The higher altitude, steep slopes of Bouzeron, however, offer the Aligoté grape ideal conditions. Furthermore, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Melon de Bourgogne are grown.

Appellations and locations

Some of the wines produced in the Côte Chalonnaise is marketed under the regional appellation Bourgogne. Red wine, in which the Gamay grape was used is only approved for the appellation Bourgogne Passe Tout Grains.

Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise

With the goal of greater regional differentiation of the appellation " Bourgogne " almost 500 ha of Côte Chalonnaise better locations were selected whose wines entitled to the description " Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise " since 1990. The requirements for Rebsatz and ripeness of the grapes are the same as for the regional appellation. For red wine Pinot Noir, Pinot and Pinot Liébault Beurot ( dark variety of the Pinot Gris ) are approved, white wine may only be made ​​from Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc or Pinot Gris. The base yield is 60 hl / ha for white wine and 55 hl / ha for red wine. The natural alcoholic strength shall be 10 ° for red and 10.5 ° for white wine.

Communal appellations

With Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey, Givry and Montagny the Côte Chalonnaise has five communal appellations. For white wine is the appellation Montagny, Mercurey and Givry while in the red wine outweigh clear. The maximum yield is lower here, the minimum must weight higher than the regional appellation. A special feature is Bouzeron whose wine may be made ​​exclusively from the Aligoté grape.

Premier Crus

Unlike the Cote d'Or there on the Côte Chalonnaise no Grand Crus. However, the best locations in the communal appellations (except Bouzeron ) may result in the designation Premier Cru. The demanded natural alcohol content is even higher than in the local appellation. Required 11 ° for red and 11.5 for whites.

Among the most important Premiers Crus: Champs Cloux, Les Cloux ( Rully ), Clos Saint- Jacques ( Chagny ), Clos du Roy, Clos l' Eveque, Champs Martin, Clos Voyens, Clos des Grands Voyens ( Mercurey ) Servoisine, Cellier aux Moines ( Givry ), Le Vieux Château, Montcuchot and Les Coères ( Montagny ).

History

The region around the town of Chalon, later Chalon -sur -Saône, was in Roman times a wine region and wine trading center. Excavations have been found in the Saône thousands of amphorae. The King Henry IV (1533-1610) to have been a great friend of the wines of Givry. The port of Chalon -sur -Saône played an important role in the wine trade.

The term " Côte Chalonnaise " has become the norm for the wines of this part of Burgundy until the beginning of the 20th century. Until the introduction of the appellation " Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise " in 1990, the majority of production was accounted for by the regional appellation " Bourgogne ".

Find out more

• The House of Wine, La Maison des Vins de la Côte Chalonnaise, can be found at the address Promenade Sainte -Marie, F - 71100 Chalon -sur -Saône.
• The Wine Brotherhood Brotherhood of Vignerons de la Chanteflûte organizes twice a year a tasting of wines from around Mercurey, the Chanteflûtage. This award-winning wines are allowed to wear numbered and chanteflûté bearing the phrase labels.
• A Wine Fair, the Foire des vins held annually in mid-August in Chagny and lasts for several days.