La Cote Chalonnaise

Session Outline

To compare La Cote d’Or with La Cote Chalonnaise.

To review the history, geography, and climate of the Chalonnaise.

To taste representative wines of the region’s best pinot noir appellations.

La Cote ChalonnaiseBurgundy’s “lost” Region

Burgundy

Comparing the “Cotes”

Geology

Climate

Topography

Viti/Vini

Cote Chalonnaise fast facts

Named for nearby town Chalon-sur-Saone which has been an important commercial center since ancient Gaul.

Formerly known as the “Region of Mercurey”.

Soils similar to the Cote de Beaune, except in Montagny in the south. Climate is cooler due to less shelter and less favorable expositions. Grapes normally harvested one week later.

The Burgundy Classification System

Grand Cru

Premier Cru

Village

Regional

Cote Chalonnaise

Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise

The top regional appellation for both red(64%) and white(36%) wine.

Approved since the 1990 vintage.

Strictly enforced, and 40% of samples are rejected.

Best of the Côte Chalonnaise

Best reds: Mercurey and Givry

Best whites: Rully and Montagny

Burgundy’s top Aligoté: Bouzeron

Most prominent sparkler: Rully

Bouzeron

Bouzeron

Bouzeron Wine Production

Vines: 116 ac -- Aligote only, no premiers crus.

Wines: 32,111 cs

Bouzeron fast facts

Only village appellation in Burgundy for Aligote.

In 1979, received Bourgogne Aligote de Bouzeron appellation. In 1998, it was elevated to “Bouzeron”. (100% Aligote)

Tasting Bouzeron“medium weight, crisp and piercingly fruity, with a hint

of lemon and mirabelle plum”

Bouzeron, a smart choice

Bouzeron ProducersDomaine A. et P. de Villaine

Maison Bouchard Pere et Fils

Montagny Soils and Wines

Soil is from the Liassic or older Jurassic, not as good as the middle or upper periods.

It is limestone-based, with sand, clay, and quartz mixed in. Limestones are more evident higher on the slopes.

The major co-op, Cave des Vignerons de Buxy, produces 65% of all of the appellation wines. It is a very highly respected co-op and is state-of-the-art.

Montagny

Montagny Wine production

Vines: 768 ac, incl 496 ac 1er Crus

Wines: 203,167 cs, incl 134,222 cs 1er Crus

The Montagny appellation is 100% Chardonnay

Tasting Montagny“slightly less crisp than Rully blanc, but fuller and fatter, with a more honeyed and

broader profile”

Montagny Premier cru

Selected Montagny Producers

Chateau de la Saule

Domaine Stephane Aladame

Cave des Vignerons de Buxy

Now, Let’s Get Serious

Rully

Rully Geology

Soils are a mix of marls, often covered with ferruginous oolite from the Oxfordian period, and some Bathonian era.

As elsewhere, the top of the slopes are whitish and stony, with more reddish and clay soils lower.

Rully

Rully fast facts

Named for Gallo-Roman owner, Rubilium. A legacy of vines passed to the Abbey of Saint-Marcel in the 11th century.

Began sparkling wine production in 1822. Is a source of some of Burgundy’s best cremant.

23 Premiers Crus, 68% white wine.

Rully production

Vines: Whites - 553 ac, incl 146 ac 1er Crus Reds - 329 ac, incl 91 ac 1er Crus

Wines: White - 125,889 cs, incl 37,389 cs 1er Crus Red - 60,333 cs, incl 13,167 cs 1er Crus

There are an estimated 375,000 cs of Cremant de Bourgogne originating in Rully caves.

Tasting RullyBlanc – “lemony crisp, floral, ripe, and

on the lean side”Rouge – “elegant, lighter than

Mercurey, aromas of lilac, violet and raspberry”

Rully Blanc

Rully Rouge Premier Cru

Selected Rully Producers

Domaine de Chevremont (Henri & Paul Jacqueson)

Vincent Dureuil-Janthial

Chateau de Rully

Flight #1

2010 Chateau de Rully Rully “Les Molesme” Premier Cru

2010 Chateau de Rully “Les Molesme”

Rully

Mercurey

Mercurey Fast Facts

Mercurey is the largest appellation in the Cote Chalonnaise. It is a larger producer of wine than any Cote d’Or appellation.

Its wine reputation goes back to AD 557. The name recalls a Roman temple dedicated to Mercury, god of commerce and winged messenger.

Mercurey Vines and Wines

Its best vines are on south and southeast-facing slopes, north of the village.

There are 31 premiers crus climats within two communes, Mercurey and Saint-Martin-sous-Montaigu.

Whites(15 %) show less fruit than Rully or Montagny, but have good weight.

Mercurey

Mercurey Wine Production

Vines: Reds - 1321 ac, incl 329 ac 1er Crus

Whites - 274 ac, incl 74 ac 1er Crus

Wines: Red - 263,000 cs, incl 14,993 cs 1er Crus White - 46,111 cs, incl 9,111 cs 1er Crus

Note: 85% of production is red wine.

Tasting Mercurey Rouge“deeply colored, structured, and richly fruited with aging potential rather than early

charm”

Mercurey Rouge, “Ram Tough”

Selected Mercurey Producers

Joseph Faiveley

Michel Juillot

Francois Raquillet

Bruno Lorenzon

Givry

Givry Fast Facts

A favorite of King Henry IV, perhaps because his mistress, Gabrielle d’Estrees was from Givry.

Geologically, a transition zone from Beaune strata to the Liassic and Triassic period.

Givry is a bustling small town, larger than Rully or Mercurey.

It has 26 Premiers Crus.

Givry Vines and Wines

The vines begin north of town and continue southward, bending west in the commune of Jambles.

Most of the premiers crus rest on the SE-facing slopes above the suburb of Poncey, southwest of Givry.

White wines (19%) are similar to Montagny with medium body and a slight nuttiness.

Givry

Givry Wine Production

Vines: Reds - 553 ac, incl 240 ac 1er Crus

Whites - 112 ac, incl 24 ac 1er Crus

Wines: Red - 119,444 cs, incl 51,889 1er Crus White - 27,278 cs, incl 5,778 cs 1er Crus

Note: 81% of production is red wine

Fermenters ata modern Givry

Winery

Cellier Des Pierres Rouges,

Givry

Tasting Givry“can be the most stylish and

charming reds of the cote. Usually supple with red cherry aromas and

flavors”

Givry Rouge

Selected Givry Producers

Michel Sarrazin

Francois Lumpp

Jean-Marc & Vincent Joblot

Flight #2

2011 Domaine Michel Juillot Mercurey “Clos des Barraults Premier Cru

2011 Domaine Joblot Givry “Clos de la Servoisine” Premier Cru

Mercurey

Givry

2011 Givry “Clos de la Servoisine” Domaine Joblot

2011 Mercurey “Clos des Barraults” Domaine Michel Juillot

Laurent & Michel Juillot

Flight #3

2009 Domaine Bruno Lorenzon Mercurey “Les Champs Martin” Premier Cru

2009 Domaine Francois Lumpp Givry “ A Vigne Rouge” Premier Cru

Mercurey

Givry

2009 Domaine Bruno Lorenzon Mercurey “Les Champs Martin”

2009 Givry “A Vigne Rouge” Domaine Francois Lumpp

2009 Givry “A Vigne Rouge” Domaine Francois Lumpp

Bourgogne Master-LevelStudy & Certificate Program

22 on-demand online lecturesThe core curriculum (the 17 seminars listed below) is taught by lead-instructor:

Lecture #1: The History, Geography, and Winegrowing Districts of BurgundyLecture #2: “Terroir”, the Soul of BurgundyLecture #3: Growing the Vines Lecture #4: Making the WinesLecture #5: The Wine Law and Its ApplicationLecture #6: Chablis, Home of the World’s most exhilarating Chardonnay WineLecture #7: Gevrey-Chambertin, made famous by Napoleon himselfLecture #8: Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, and VougeotLecture #9: Romanee-Conti anyone??Lecture #10: The Mountain of Corton, gateway to the Cote de BeauneLecture #11: Beaune and Its SiblingsLecture #12: Ahhh! Pommard and VolnayLecture #13: Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, the Royal CourtLecture #14: Chassagne-Montrachet andValue Villages in the Cote de BeauneLecture #15: Côte Chalonnaise, the forgotten area of BurgundyLecture #16: The Mâconnais, origin of Burgundy’s most consumed white winesLecture #17: The Commercialization of Burgundy

22 on-demand online lecturesPlus… guest instructor recorded webinars, including:

Lecture #18: Tasting the “terroirs” of La Cote d’Or with The Burghound(Allen Meadows)

Lecture #19: A Review of Recent Burgundy Vintages with Becky Wasserman

Lecture #20: Burgundy at the Table with Eric Hemer, MS, MW

Lecture #21: Red Burgundy vs the World of Pinot Noir with Jay Youmans, MW

Webinar #22: White Burgundy vs the World of Chardonnaywith Karen McNeil

Time for a break