Covered with renowned vineyards, dotted with picturesque villages, the Côte-d’Or is the dream of wine lovers from all over the world. From Dijon to Santenay, head for the route des grands crus which crosses the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune for 60 km.
Divided into 5 wine regions – Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais – Burgundy presents a mosaic of exceptional terroirs and vintages. Renowned for its long aging red wines made from Pinot Noir, the Côte de Nuits, which starts from Dijon and runs south of Nuits-Saint-Georges, lists some 24 grands crus (out of the 33 listed in Burgundy). These are grouped together over a distance of barely 10 km around the 5 villages of Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot and Vosne-Romanée.
An area that is nicknamed here the “Champs-Élysées” of Burgundy! The Côte de Beaune, known for its great white wines and reds, first unfolds around the hill of Corton. Further on, after Beaune, Pommard and Volnay, we continue towards the golden triangle of great Chardonnays at Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet.
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It was the Benedictine and Cistercian orders which, in the Middle Ages, drew the foundations of the Burgundy wine-growing model. Here, each “Climat” designates a parcel of vines and the wine bears the name of the climat from which it comes. On the outskirts of pretty picturesque villages, such as Pernand-Vergelesse or Aloxe-Corton, you can admire these legendary vines from the vineyard routes. Imagine… The 1247 Climats, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015, each have specific geological, hydrometric and exposure features.
Before setting off on the route of the Grands Crus, and to fully understand the essence of this terroir viticulture, do not hesitate to stop at the Maison des Climats in Beaune which offers a very educational immersion in this complex portion of the gold Coast. A nine-meter-long model of the Côtes de Nuits and Beaune vineyards is on display to help you understand the area, using augmented reality tools. The promise of illuminated stops in the heart of the cellars and properties abounding in the appellations. A winegrower’s stay to put in his agenda as soon as the sanitary conditions allow it.
Read also :Getaway to Beaune in the Climats of Burgundy
Immerse yourself in history at the Château du Clos de Vougeot
Created by the monks of the abbey of Cîteaux in the 12th century, the majestic Château du Clos de Vougeot bears the name of its climate, one of the 33 Grands Crus (and the oldest). Vines shared by more than 80 owners! Since 1934, the château has been in the hands of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, a brotherhood that promotes Burgundy wines. The visit (free or guided) wanders through the monumental winery equipped with 4 15th century presses in working order.
One will not fail to admire the superb framework and to visit the Small and the Large Cellar within which are organized several chapters during the year, large banquets which bring together 600 guests. Exhibitions, screening of a film commented by Pierre Arditi… You should plan around 1h20 for a visit. And you can also reserve your place at the Table de Léonce (in memory of Léonce Bocquet, an emblematic figure of the castle), a table d’hôte with a single menu, to end or start the visit.
Unguided tours: € 7.50. Meal formula + tasting of 4 wines and guided tour, from € 75 / pers. Clos de Vougeot castle, rue de la Montagne 21460 Vougeot. Phone. : 03 80 62 86 09.
Taste Ludovic Belin’s beers (and wines)
Ludovic Belin, from a line of winegrowers, created his wine estate in 1999. The enthusiast also brews a collection of six organic winegrower beers stamped Burgundian Beer 4B by Belin in his brewery in Pernand-Vergelesses. High-end beers that we appreciate for their finesse and roundness. Ludovic and his partner Laetitia also welcome (oeno) tourists in one of the two guest rooms of their villa on the Beaune mountain or in their “4B” cottage-cottage which will open its doors in April. Nordic atmosphere and cable car in the garden to taste Savoy specialties. A stop that definitely breaks the codes!
Burgundian Beer by Belin, Ludovic Belin 5 rue Les Combottes 21420 Pernand-Vergelesses. Tél. : 06 86 41 34 30, [email protected].
Explore the vineyard with a driver-guide
Treat yourself to a luxury wine tour, in a comfortable vehicle, in the company of an inexhaustible driver-guide on the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, it’s possible. The Bourgogne Gold Tour company takes you on a day trip to discover the treasures of the Burgundy vineyard and the goldsmiths of the viticulture. We appreciate the map reading in the vineyards to fully understand the classification of Burgundy wines, the popularization of information and the attentive support of the team. No tour is the same, the services depend on the level of discovery desired by customers.
Burgundy Gold Tour. From 450 € / person.
Sleep in the heart of the village of Puligny-Montrachet
It is one of the benchmarks of the Côte de Beaune with its XXL range of grands crus and premier crus in the most renowned appellations of Burgundy. The Olivier Leflaive house has completely revised the style and decoration of its 4-star hotel under the leadership of Julie Leflaive, the daughter. 17 chic comfort rooms welcome guests in the 17th century building overlooking the peaceful village square. A bistro, a wine bar and the possibility of making technical tours of the vineyard as well as tastings with commentary by sommeliers are on the program. Little gem: the Signature Olivier suite, in reference to this pioneer of wine tourism and which is decorated with his personal effects (guitars, hats and family photos).
Olivier Leflaive Hotel. Rooms from € 150 per night, 3 wine tasting packages: € 26. Bistronomic stopover (dinner at Bistro d’Olivier, overnight stay and breakfast): from € 248. 10, place du Monument 21190 Puligny-Montrachet. Phone. : 03 80 21 95 27, [email protected]
Search for truffles and taste old vintages at Domaine Rion
Located in the heart of the village of Vosne-Romanée, the authentic cellar of the Rion estate is open to visitors. This is where the wines from the prestigious Côte de Nuits terroirs lie dormant: Vosne-Romanée, Chambolle-Musigny, Nuits-Saint-Georges or Clos Vougeot grand cru. The cellar and vineyard tours are orchestrated by the members of the family (Armelle, Bernard and their three daughters) in person. To be tested, the “Les Trésors de la Côte” formula which includes the discovery of the Vosne-Romanée terroirs and a digging session (search for truffles) in the estate’s truffle area. Without forgetting a tasting of 5 wines including Clos Vougeot grand cru and a 10 year old wine (70 € / pers.)
Domaine Rion, 8 Rte Nationale 21700 Vosne-Romanée. Phone. : 03 80 61 05 31.
Taste Aloxe-Corton wines at Domaine Comte Senard
Do not miss this area nestled in the center of the village of Aloxe-Corton, on the border between the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. Lorraine Senard holds the reins of the 10 hectare property (including 5 hectares of Grands Crus), distributed mainly on the hill of Corton. Different tastings are possible in the cellar (preferably by reservation): the essential package (4 wines including 1 regional, 1 village, 1 premier cru, 1 grand cru) or connoisseur (the discovery of 6 Climats de Corton grand cru).
To taste: Aloxe-Corton “Jules”, named after the founder of the estate, a wine made from 5 plots assembled in whole clusters, with a delicious side and distinguished structure. Or the Corton “Clos de Meix” grand cru in monopoly, a very refined cuvée on red fruits, rich and majestic, and with good aging potential (15-20 years). Possible to have lunch at the table d’hôtes or at the foot of the vineyards and taste old vintages in magnum.
Domaine Comte Senard, 1 Rue des Chaumes 21420 Aloxe-Corton. Phone: 03 80 26 41 65.
More information
To prepare your itinerary on the Grands Crus tourist route: https://www.vins-bourgogne.fr/
House of Climates. Porte Marie de Bourgogne, 6 boulevard Perpreuil 21200 Beaune. Phone. : 03 80 26 21 30.
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