View source for Côte Chalonnaise

{{Short description|Subregion of the Burgundy wine region of France}}
[[File:Img1412 Vignes Côte Chalonnaise.jpg|right|290px|thumb|The Côte Chalonnaise region]]
'''Côte Chalonnaise''' is a subregion of the [[Burgundy wine]] region of [[France (wine)|France]]. Côte Chalonnaise lies to the south of the [[Côte d'Or (escarpment)|Côte d'Or]] continuing the same geology southward. It is still in the main area of Burgundy wine production but it includes no [[Cru (wine)#Grand cru|Grand cru]] vineyards. Like the Côte d'Or, it is at the western edge of the broad valley of the river [[Saône]], on the rising ground overlooking the town of [[Chalon-sur-Saône]] which is about six kilometers out into the plain. To the north, across the River [[Dheune]], lies the [[Côte de Beaune]]. To the south is the [[Mâconnais]]. The grapes of the region are predominantly [[Pinot noir]] and [[Chardonnay]] with some [[Aligoté]] and [[Gamay]] also grown in [[vineyard]]s spread over a stretch of 25 kilometers long and 7 kilometers wide of undulating land in which [[vineyard]]s are interspersed with orchards and other forms of farming.<ref name="Sotheby pp 159-160">T. Stevenson ''The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia'' pp. 159-160, Dorling Kindersley 2005 {{ISBN|0-7566-1324-8}}</ref>

The wine-producing communes of the Côte Chalonnaise are, from the north: [[Bouzeron]], the only communal [[AOC (wine)|AOC]] for Aligoté still wine; [[Rully, Saône-et-Loire|Rully]], which has 23 premier cru vineyards and is known for its white wines as well as being a center for ''Crémant'' [[sparkling wine]]s production; [[Mercurey]], which with 30 premier cru vineyards is the largest volume producer of the region, its wines being nearly all red; [[Givry, Saône-et-Loire|Givry]], with 17 premier cru vineyards producing mostly red wines; and [[Montagny-lès-Buxy|Montagny]], which produces only white wines in its 49 premier cru vineyards.<ref name="Oxford p 150">J. Robinson (ed) ''The Oxford Companion to Wine'' Third Edition, p. 150. Oxford University Press 2006 {{ISBN|0-19-860990-6}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Roman amphorae.jpg|left|thumb|Chalon-sur-Saône in the Côte Chalonnaise was an important trading centre for Roman wine shipped up the river Saône in amphorae like these.]]
The Côte Chalonnaise is named after the town of Chalon-sur-Saône, located on the [[Saône]]. Its location made the town an important trading centre of the [[Celts]] in [[Gaul]]. The region was later used by the [[Ancient Romans (wine)|Ancient Romans]] with wine being one of the commodities traded up and down the river. More than 20,000 [[amphora]]e stamped with Roman emblems have been found in graves in this area.<ref name="Wine pp 204-205">A. Domine (ed.) ''Wine'', pp. 204-205, Ullmann Publishing, 2008 {{ISBN|978-3-8331-4611-4}}</ref> In the 18th it was a vital link on the [[Canal du Centre (France)|Canal du Centre]] which linked the wine regions of the south of France to the key markets in the north.<ref name="Oxford p 150"/>

In the 1980s, the region experienced a [[renaissance]] highlighted with a substantial jump in quality wine production. With the price of Burgundy wine steadily escalating, the Côte Chalonnaise developed a reputation for consistent quality for lower cost than some of the more well known villages of Burgundy. This led to a sharp increase in the price of wines from the Côte Chalonnaise which brought an influx of investment and money to the region. By the early 21st century, the prices on the wine market were beginning to experience some [[market correction]].<ref name="Robinson p 170">J. Robinson ''Jancis Robinson's Wine Course'' Third Edition, p. 170. Abbeville Press 2003 {{ISBN|0-7892-0883-0}}</ref>

==Climate and geography==
[[File:Img1413 Vendanges Côte Chalonnaise.jpg|right|thumb|Harvesting Pinot noir grapes in the Côte Chalonnaise]]
South of the village of [[Santenay, Côte-d'Or|Santenay]] in the [[Côte de Beaune]] region is the city of [[Chagny, Saône-et-Loire|Chagny]] which begins the Côte Chalonnaise.<ref name="Dummies pp 103-105">E. McCarthy & M. Ewing-Mulligan ''"French Wine for Dummies"'', pp. 103-105. Wiley Publishing 2001 {{ISBN|0-7645-5354-2}}</ref> The climate and [[vineyard soils]] of the Côte Chalonnaise are very similar to those of the [[Côte d'Or (escarpment)|Côte d'Or]], though the rainfall is slightly less. However, unlike the Côte d'Or, the vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise do not run along the slopes of a single [[escarpment]] but rather are three isolated on patches of [[limestone]].<ref name="Oxford p 150"/> The first patch of vineyards located northwest of Chalon-sur-Saône includes the villages of Bouzeron, Rully and Mercurey which is separated by only a few km from the second patch of vineyards around the village of Givry. Located due west from [[Saint-Rémy, Saône-et-Loire|Saint-Rémy]] and southwest of Chalon-sur-Saône this patch is nearly 5 kilometers from the third patch of vineyards that make up the Montagny region.<ref name="Sotheby pp 159-160"/>

The landscape of the region is much more agrarian than other parts of Burgundy with [[pasture]]s and [[orchards]] interspersed among vineyards.<ref name="Robinson p 170"/> The soft rolling hills of the area reach altitudes between 750-1,050 feet (230–320 metres). These hills provide some protection from frost and hail damage. The soil is predominately limestone mixed with [[sand]] and [[clay]] and the occasional [[iron]] deposit. Around the city of Mercurey, the soil has a high concentration of iron-enriched [[marl]].<ref name="Sotheby pp 159-160"/> The diversity in slopes and soils creates a myriad of [[microclimate (wine)|microclimate]]s that can greatly influence the varying quality of wine from the Côte Chalonnaise, even among vineyards labeled as premier cru.<ref name="Wine pp 204-205"/>

==Appellations==
[[File:Vignobles cote chalonnaise-fr.svg|left|thumb|400px|Map showing the location and key villages of the Côte Chalonnaise]]
All wine produced in the Côte Chalonnaise qualifies for the ''[[Appellation d'origine contrôlée]]'' (AOC) Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise though it is more often declassified to the generic [[Bourgogne AOC]] because of the higher name recognition of the latter.<ref name="Johnson atlas pp 68-69">H. Johnson & J. Robinson ''The World Atlas of Wine'', pp. 68-69. Mitchell Beazley Publishing 2005 {{ISBN|1-84000-332-4}}</ref> Sparkling wine made from the region is usually labeled as ''Crémant de Bourgogne''.<ref name="Dummies pp 103-105"/> The Côte Chalonnaise has five village-level AOCs. They are, from north to south: Bouzeron, the only communal AOC for Aligoté still wine; Rully, which has 23 premier cru vineyards and is known for its white wines as well as being a center for Crémant sparkling wines production; Mercurey, which with 30 premier cru vineyards is the largest volume producer of the region, its production being nearly all red; Givry, whose 17 premier cru vineyards also produce mostly red wines; and Montagny which produces only white wines and has 49 premier cru vineyards.<ref name="Oxford p 150"/> There is currently no [[List of Burgundy Grand Crus|Grand Cru classed]] vineyards in the Côte Chalonnaise.<ref name="MacNeil pp 206-207">K. MacNeil ''The Wine Bible'', pp. 206-207. Workman Publishing 2001 {{ISBN|1-56305-434-5}}</ref>

===Bouzeron===
{{main|Bouzeron AOC}}
The village of Bouzeron is noted for its production of Aligoté. In 1979 the AOC Bourgogne Aligoté de Bouzeron was created as a single village level appellation above the generic [[Bourgogne Aligoté AOC]]. The move towards designation was spearheaded by the efforts of [[Aubert de Villaine]], co-owner of [[Domaine de la Romanee-Conti]].<ref name="Johnson atlas pp 68-69"/> In 1997 the appellation's name was shortened to simply Bouzeron.<ref name="Oxford pp 101 & 315">J. Robinson (ed) ''The Oxford Companion to Wine'' Third Edition, pp. 101 & 315. Oxford University Press 2006 {{ISBN|0-19-860990-6}}</ref> Both Pinot noir and Chardonnay are also grown in this area but are usually seen labeled as basic ''Bourgogne Rouge'' and ''Bourgogne Blanc''.<ref name="Dummies pp 103-105"/>

There are about 151 acres (61 hectares) planted in the area.<ref name="Wine pp 204-205"/> The Aligoté wines of this region are more similar in style and fruit characteristics to [[Pinot gris]] than to Chardonnay. The wines tend to be light bodied with subtle spice notes that are usually most vibrant up to 5 years after vintage.<ref name="Sotheby pp 159-160"/>

===Rully===
{{main|Rully wine}}
The village of Rully produces about twice as much white Chardonnay than red Pinot noir wines. As of 2008, there was about 756 acres (306 hectares) planted in this area.<ref name="Wine pp 204-205"/> The soil of the area is [[sand]]y and light, producing [[body (wine)|light bodied]] wines that are best consumed young. The area is a major source of sparkling ''Crémant de Bourgogne'' which benefit from cooler vintages. In warmer years the wines tend to be lively with the whites showing [[apple]] notes.<ref name="Johnson atlas pp 68-69"/> More than one sixth of all the vineyards in Rully have premier cru designations.<ref name="Oxford p 597">J. Robinson (ed) ''The Oxford Companion to Wine'' Third Edition, p. 597. Oxford University Press 2006 {{ISBN|0-19-860990-6}}</ref> The red wines of Rully tend to have more simple fruit notes, while the higher-quality white wines can display crisp leanness with [[lemon]] and [[nut (fruit)|nutty]] notes.<ref name="MacNeil pp 206-207"/> The red wines tend to drink at their peak between 5–12 years after vintage while the whites usually drink well between 3–8 years.<ref name="Sotheby pp 159-160"/>

[[File:Faivelley white Mercurey burgundy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A bottle of Mercurey wine from one of the ''[[négociant]]s'' in the Côte Chalonnaise]]

===Mercurey===
{{main|Mercurey wine}}
The village of Mercurey is the most widely recognised and important<ref name="Robinson p 170"/> wine village of the Côte Chalonnaise, producing more wines than all other village appellations combined. The area is responsible for two out of every three bottles produced in the Côte Chalonnaise. So notable was Mercurey's influence that the entire Côte Chalonnaise was once commonly referred to as ''Région de Mercurey''.<ref name="Johnson atlas pp 68-69"/> Of the 1,600 acres (650 hectares) planted, Pinot noir is the dominated grape variety with over 80% of the region's wine being red.<ref name="BIVB fiche">[http://www.vins-bourgogne.fr/connaitre/...ses-vins/au-coeur-des-appellations/gallery_files/site/321/402/5417/5465.pdf BIVB: Mercurey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309171220/http://www.vins-bourgogne.fr/connaitre/...ses-vins/au-coeur-des-appellations/gallery_files/site/321/402/5417/5465.pdf |date=2012-03-09 }}, accessed on November 18, 2009</ref> More than one fifth of all the vineyards in Mercurey qualify for premier cru designation. The red wines of the region are characterised by their deep colour, compared to neighbouring regions, and [[body (wine)|fuller bodies]]. The red wines of Mercurey were reported the favorite wines of [[Gabrielle d'Estrées]], mistress of  King [[Henry IV of France]].<ref name="Oxford pp 437 & 450">J. Robinson (ed) ''The Oxford Companion to Wine'' Third Edition, pp. 437 & 450. Oxford University Press 2006 {{ISBN|0-19-860990-6}}</ref>

The wines of Mercurey are noted for their [[spicy (wine)|spicy]] [[cherry]] notes but the range in quality can be quite varied. The late 20th century saw an influx in vineyard expansion with some new plantings going on sites less suitable for quality viticulture. This expansion has increased the propensity for lower quality Mercurey which can taste watery with its weaker fruit flavours. The rare white wines made in the area are characterised by their [[minerality]] and apple notes.<ref name="MacNeil pp 206-207"/> Well-made examples typically drink at their peak between 5–12 years after vintage.<ref name="Sotheby pp 159-160"/>

===Givry===
{{main|Givry wine}}
The village of Givry produces many red Pinot noir wines representing more than 90% of the region's production. It is the smallest of all the village appellation but has been the most active and dynamically growing regions in recent years.<ref name="Johnson atlas pp 68-69"/> As of 2008, there was about 541 acres (219 hectares) planted in this area.<ref name="Wine pp 204-205"/> About one sixth of all the vineyards in Givry have premier cru designations. The red wines are noted for their structure and ability to age well.  The white wines of the region are noted for their characteristic [[licorice]] notes in the [[bouquet (wine)|bouquet]] and slight spicy-butteriness. The red wines of Givry were reportedly the favorite wines of King Henry IV.<ref name="Oxford pp 101 & 315"/>

Compared to neighboring Mercurey, the red wines of Givry tend to be lighter and ready to drink at a younger age.<ref name="Johnson atlas pp 68-69"/> They often exhibit rustic and earthy flavors.<ref name="Dummies pp 103-105"/> The wines can also have cherry and redcurrant notes that are usually at their peak between 5–12 years after vintage.<ref name="Sotheby pp 159-160"/>

===Montagny===
[[File:Chardonnay Moldova.JPG|left|thumb|250px|The Montagny region is devoted almost exclusively to white Chardonnay wine production.]]
{{main|Montagny wine}}
The region of Montagny &mdash; centered on the communes of [[Buxy]], [[Jully-lès-Buxy]], [[Montagny-lès-Buxy]] and [[Saint-Vallerin]] &mdash; is completely devoted to white Chardonnay production. Historically any vineyard in the region could qualify for premier cru designation, provided the [[alcohol content]] of the wine produced from the vineyard was at least 11.5% before [[chaptalization]]. In recent years the vineyards of Montagny have been classified in accordance with the same standards as the rest of the Côte Chalonnaise, but the area still boasts the highest concentration of premier cru vineyards with more than 490 acres (199 hectares) out of 736 acres (298 hectares) qualifying.<ref name="Oxford pp 437 & 450"/>

The whites of Montagny are noted for their [[acidity (wine)|acidity]] and body.<ref name="Oxford pp 437 & 450"/> They range in style from the lean, lively acidity characteristic of white Rully to the heavier oakiness of wines from [[Côte de Beaune]].<ref name="Johnson atlas pp 68-69"/>  These wines can normally drink at their peak between 3–10 years after vintage.<ref name="Sotheby pp 159-160"/> The area also makes some sparkling ''Crémant de Bourgogne''.<ref name="Robinson p 170"/>

==Viticulture and winemaking==
The [[viticulture]] and [[winemaking]] practices of the Côte Chalonnaise are very similar to those of the Côte d'Or. However, [[yields (wine)|yields]] are generally higher here with up to 10.5 gallons per 120 square yards (40 litres per 100 square metres) permitted. The exception is the region of Mercurey which maintains its yield restrictions to the same levels as the Côte d'Or.<ref name="Wine pp 204-205"/> Grapes are normally [[harvest (wine)|harvest]]ed from late September to early October. Both red and whites are [[fermented (wine)|fermented]] in [[oak barrels (wine)|oak barrels]] with premium producers more likely to use new oak. The wines are usually aged for 6 to 10 months, being bottled in the late summer before the next [[vintage]] harvest.<ref name="Oxford p 150"/> Depending on the quality of the vintage and winemaking practices, some Côte Chalonnaise can be prone to [[oxidation]].<ref name="Wine pp 204-205"/>

==Grapes and wines==
[[File:Pinot noir DSC 9092.jpg|right|thumb|Some basic ''Bourgogne Rouge'' comes from Pinot noir grapes grown in the Côte Chalonnaise.]]
The principal grapes of the Côte Chalonnaise are the same major grapes found throughout Burgundy &mdash; [[Pinot noir]] and [[Chardonnay]]. Additionally there is significant plantings of [[Aligoté]] around the town of Bouzeron. Other minor grapes of the region include [[Gamay]], [[Melon de Bourgogne]], [[Pinot blanc]] and [[Pinot gris]] (known locally as Pinot Beurot).<ref name="Sotheby pp 159-160"/> The Gamay that is grown here is often blended with lower quality Pinot noir to make [[Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains]].<ref name="Wine pp 204-205"/> In addition to still wine production, a sizable amount of [[sparkling wine]] is also produced.<ref name="Oxford p 150"/> The wines of the Côte Chalonnaise are often very fruit-forward in their youth.<ref name="Oxford p 150"/> The white wines of the region are characterized by their toasty, smokey notes due to fermentation in oak barrels.<ref name="Dummies pp 103-105"/>

Wine expert [[Jancis Robinson]] describes them as "country cousins" in contrast to the more well known wines of the Côte d'Or but praises the wines for their usefulness as early drinking wines that usually do not require much aging.<ref name="Robinson p 170"/> Rather than compare them to the Côte d'Or, wine expert [[Tom Stevenson]] recommends thinking of the wines of the Côte Chalonnaise as more of a better quality [[Mâconnais]] than a lower quality Côte de Beaune.<ref name="Sotheby pp 159-160"/> [[Master of Wine]] [[Mary Ewing-Mulligan]] praises the wines of the Côte Chalonnaise for their relative affordability in contrast to the wines of the Côte d'Or. She describes the red wines as being on par with some of the lower village appellations of the Côte d'Or, having less complex [[aromas (wine)|aromas]] and [[earthy (wine)|earthier]] flavors. The lower cost of the wines leads to their regular appearance on restaurant wine lists.<ref name="Dummies pp 103-105"/>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.thewinedoctor.com/regionalguides/burgundyparttwo.shtml Côte Chalonnaise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311212440/http://thewinedoctor.com/regionalguides/burgundyparttwo.shtml |date=2013-03-11 }} in the [[wine]] geography of [[Burgundy (region)|Burgundy]].

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