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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Popular wines made in Côte Chalonnaise under $20

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Varietals Produced in Côte Chalonnaise View all

Diamond

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

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

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

May 2012

Domaine Bachelet-Monnot Bourgogne Blanc 2009

Snoothrank:

Such a delicious bottle. Medium-bodied, with balanced acidity along with notes of stone fruit and lemon curd. Grapes sourced just outside Puligny-Montrachet. Read More

Wine review by Mary Margaret McCamic
March 2012

Vaucher Pere et Fils Bourgogne Blanc 2009

Snoothrank:

Drinks as juice, no taste of alcohol. Read More

Wine review by alanb1108
February 2012

Vignoble Dampt Bourgogne Blanc Tonnerre 'Le Clos de Chateau' 2009

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by RomanGavi
February 2012

Rully Mogliots Pierre Janny 2005

Snoothrank:

awesom Read More

Wine review by alanb1108
February 2012

Domaine du Meix Foulot Mercurey Premier Cru 2006

Snoothrank:

Definitely needs decanting to make the flavors come alive. Very bright and alive with a dark earthiness and springy lilac. Reminded me of the buds of spring, which was great on a chilly winter night with saucy fish dishes. Probably even better in a couple of years. Read More

Wine review by Amanda Schuster
January 2012

Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc les Setilles 2008

Snoothrank:

This is very floral on the nose, with tropical tones over lean lemon custard and tangelo fruit. Bright and well focused with good depth of flavor on a light frame. This is streamlined and sleek with gentle suggestions of pollen, fennel and maybe even a touch of rhubarb accenting the core of citrus fruit. Very fresh and vibrant in the mouth in a ... Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz
January 2012

Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne les Setilles 2009

Snoothrank:

Tight on the nose with tree bark and tar notes over faint lime and peach, with a gentle violet pastille top note. This is fairly rich for this bottling with acid that seems a touch soft, though its probably only in relation to the richness. Lots of apple and peach fruit here along with mineral and gentle oak notes. The finish was a bit steely an... Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz
January 2012

Faiveley Montagny 2009

Snoothrank:

Nutty oak, apple fruit and a touch of mango come together on the nose with some sharp mineral hints that add nice focus. Very poised up front, a wave of sweetness from the nutty oak adds volume in the mouth. This has a light caramel/toffee edge to it that many people will find mysteriously appealing. The core of fruit, apple and quince is rich a... Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz
January 2012

Berrys' White Burgundy Jean-Luc Terrier & Château Collovray Bottle NV

Snoothrank:

An ever-so-delicate touch of butter cuts through citrus fruit. The whole is delicate and elegant with the complexity of some minerality and earthiness Read More

Wine review by Lindy Hemsley
January 2012

Faiveley Montagny 2009

Snoothrank:

Bright, tart, flowery, a little biscuity. In this instance, the flavors match well together and settle pretty well on the palate. Probably great with a winter fish stew. Read More

Wine review by Amanda Schuster

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