Côte de Beaune

Southern part of the Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France
the geology and history of the area

The Côte de Beaune area is the southern part of the Côte d'Or, the limestone ridge that is home to the great names of Burgundy wine. The Côte de Beaune starts between Nuits Saint Georges and Beaune, and extends southwards for about 25 km to the river Dheune. The trend of producing red wines continues from the Côte de Nuits to the north, down through Beaune, although the wines become lighter and more perfumed. Farther south lies the great names of white Burgundy such as Meursault and Chassagne Montrachet. The far south of the district sees a return to red wines in Santenay that continues across the Dheune into the Côte Chalonnaise. This mix of Pinot noir and Chardonnay grapes reflects geology in the southern Côte d'Or that is more variable than in the north.

In the northwest corner of the Côte de Beaune, Pernand Vergelesses produces about 30,000 cases, 75% red. The commune contains 34.3ha of the Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne (see Aloxe Corton below), and five Premier Crus (57ha), of which Ile de Vergelesses is the most notable. There are 228.3 ha of vineyards in total.

Down on the plain, Ladoix is the most northernly of the villages of the Côte de Beaune on the N74 Route des Grand Crus. It has 160.1ha of vineyards, including another piece of Corton Charlemagne. There are also 100ha of Premier Cru vineyards out of the total of 235ha in Puligny.

Les Maranges was created in 1989 as a merger of three appellations west of Santenay: Cheilly lès Maranges, Dezizes lès Maranges, and Sampigny lès Maranges. Being in Saône et Loire some people consider these villages to be not part of the Côte d'Or proper, although the geology is similar and the wines are decent. 100ha of the 240ha is Premier Cru.