Côte Chalonnaise Wine

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The Côte Chalonnaise is a wine zone in the Burgundy region in France. It’s located in the Châlon-sur-Saône, which in early Gallic history, was a site where wine that was shipped upstream was offloaded and delivered inland. While vineyards in neighboring Beaune and Mâconnais are more concentrated and close together, the Chalonnaise vineyards are scattered with other agricultural sites amongst its rolling landscape. The vineyards here happen to be strategically placed in the areas with the most limestone-rich soils, which provide the most acid balance and structure in the grapes. The summers in the Chalonnaise are warm and dry, perhaps drier than neighboring areas owing to the slightly more elevated landscape, with cold winters.

The wines from Côte Chalonnaise were once considered Burgundy bargains for their lower prices and consistently good quality when compared to more prestigious appellations. However, prices are now about the same as other regions, catching up to market demand for the Burgundy name in general. Luckily quality is still quite reliable.

The primary varietals grown are Pinot Noir for reds, with some Gamay and their respective variants, and Chardonnay for whites, with some Aligoté. There are no Grand Crus within the Chalonnaise, although there are some Premier Crus. It is divided into five communes:

Bouzeron: a small village that specializes in white wines from Aligoté.

Givry: This area was once considered one of the powerhouses of the Côte Chalonnaise, producing predominately red wines from Pinot Noir, with a very small percentage of Chardonnay. There are about 30 Premier Crus vineyards located within Givry.

Mercurey: along with Givry, considered one of the most prestigious communes in the Chalonnaise. They have a lot in common, with a large focus on Pinot Noir production and minimal Chardonnay, as well as the number of Premier Crus titles.

Montagny: specializes only in white wines from Chardonnay, with nearly a dozen Premier Crus. This is also an excellent source of the sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne.

Rully: produces nearly equal amounts of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This is not considered one of the more prestigious areas in the Chalonnaise, but there is still some excellent wine produced, and a considerable amount of Premier Crus. ~Amanda Schuster

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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Domaine Parigot Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs

Varietals Produced in Côte Chalonnaise View all

Aligoté

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Sémillon

History of the grape: Little is documented about the early years of this grape, which is surprising due to its distin...
Diamond

History of the grape: The varietal dates back to the 1880s when horticulturalist Jacob Moore (hence the synonym “Moor...
Négrette
Chardonnay

British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...
Pinot Noir

“With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Van...

Subregions of Côte Chalonnaise

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Côte Chalonnaise on Snooth

August 2013

A. et P. de Villaine Rully les Saint Jacques 2008

Snoothrank:

Excellent. Read More

Wine review by mark
August 2013

Vincent Girardin Bourgogne Cuvee Saint-Vincent Blanc 2011

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by mark
July 2013

Domaine Ninot Mercurey les Crets 2009

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by jeancroix
May 2013

Domaine Anne & Jean-Francois Delorme Mercurey 2009

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by mark
May 2013

Domaine Thenard Givry Premiere Cru Clos Saint-Pierre 2006

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by mark
May 2013

Maison André Goichot Montagny Chateau de la Guiche 2010

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by martins2002
May 2013

Domaine de la Cadette Bourgogne Blanc 2007

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by mark
May 2013

Maison Albert Bichot Mercurey 2010

Snoothrank:

"Under the purplish red color, the nose is simple and medium. Dry, medium bodied and fruity with refreshing acidity. Smooth tannins and a slender mouthfeel." [From "Pinot Noir" blind tasting at Bin 105, Lincoln NE, 13 October 2012.] Read More

Wine review by Nathan P
March 2013

Jean Chartron Bourgogne Blanc Clos Combe 2010

Snoothrank:

Nice. Smooth. A little uninspired. Will make everyone happy at a party. Read More

Wine review by halamak
February 2013

Domaine Joblot Givry Premier Cru Clos de la Servoisine 2010

Snoothrank:

Cherry and stone nose with black raspberry, nutmeg and cocoa. Vibrant and sappy on the palate with intense fruit. Red berry and cherry. Deeply concentrated. Notes of bacon and smoke with smoked meat, salt and wet stone. Purple flowers on the finish. Nice!91 pts.12/1/12 Read More

Wine review by VegasOenophile