Côte Chalonnaise Wine

Add a photo
for this region?

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)

Add description View descriptions »

View More
Popular wines made in Côte Chalonnaise under $20

Find local availability for these wines:Submit

Domaine Parigot Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs

Varietals Produced in Côte Chalonnaise View all

Aligoté

In North America, Aligoté’s cold-weather tolerance has provided it with homes in Washington State, British Columbia a...
Sémillon

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

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

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

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

Subregions of Côte Chalonnaise

People getting updates on Côte Chalonnaise Wines

Page 5 of 24
Côte Chalonnaise on Snooth

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
February 2013

J.M. Boillot Montagny Premiere Cru 2011

Snoothrank:

An excellent French chard. Read More

Wine review by RUS
February 2013

Nicolas Potel Macon Villages 2010

Snoothrank:

Youll immediately notice that the Mâcon-Villages Blanc lacks the manifest fruitiness of American Chardonnays, and whites in general. Potel has crafted a simple nose featuring notes of fresh honey and roasted almonds. It crosses the palate containing traces of limestone and chalk from the minerality of Burgundys soil, which brings a freshness tha... Read More

Wine review by terroir360
January 2013

Simon Bize Bourgogne Blanc les Champlains 2004

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Barberolo
January 2013

Morey Pierre Bourgogne Blanc 2001

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Barberolo
December 2012

Faiveley Mercurey 2009

Snoothrank:

The Faiveley Mercurey is dark and inviting with rich strawberry jam and floral notes. The mouthfeel is smooth, balanced and full of cherry, strawberry and raspberry flavours. Very good Mercurey with excellent depth and a medium to long finish. Lacks the elegance and finesse of the better Cru but excellent all the same; PN fans stock up. 89 po... Read More

Wine review by zufrieden
December 2012

Chatel Buis Pinot Noir 2010

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Prbottleshop
December 2012

Chatel Buis Chardonnay 2010

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Prbottleshop

prev 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 ... 24 next

View larger map

Best Wine Deals

$15.99

20% off

Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2013
$19.99

20% off

Brooks Winery Riesling Ara 2010

See More Deals