Chassagne-Montrachet PDO
Chassagne-Montrachet: emblematic wines of the Côte de Beaune
In Chassagne-Montrachet, the two emblematic grape varieties of Burgundy are fully expressed: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The first one gives very great white wines, among the most famous and most appreciated by wine lovers. The second one offers high quality, full-bodied and complex red wines. The vineyard of Chassagne-Montrachet is, it must be said, particularly well situated. In the south of the Côte de Beaune, it is framed by the no less famous villages of Santenay, Saint-Aubin and Puligny-Montrachet. In addition to its Village and Premier Cru wines, this Côte d'Or commune is the source of three famous Grands Crus, which further enhance its reputation.
General presentation of Chassagne-Montrachet
Chassagne-Montrachet is a village in Burgundy, located in the Côte-d'Or, south of Beaune, between Santenay and Meursault. It is one of the emblematic villages of the Route des Grands Crus, since three of them were created on small plots of land located to the north of the commune, towards Puligny-Montrachet: montrachet, bâtard-montrachet and criots-bâtard-montrachet.
The Chassagne-Montrachet vineyards cover approximately 315 hectares, a small part of which extends into Remigny, in the Saône-et-Loire region. Chardonnay is in the majority: it represents nearly 200 hectares, 120 of which are classified as Premier Cru. Pinot Noir occupies nearly 110 hectares, of which nearly 35 are classified Premier Cru.
The Climats classified as Premier Cru are located on the heights of the village. There are 55 of them. Among them are Morgeot, En Remilly, Blanchot-Dessus, Dent de Chien, Clos Saint-Jean, La Boudriotte, Les Embazées, Les Fairendes, Les Grandes Ruchottes...
The part of the vineyard located under the village is dedicated to the Chassagne-Montrachet AOC Village wines, in red and white.
Characteristics of Chassagne-Montrachet
The Chassagne-Montrachet Village and Premier Cru AOCs are first and foremost renowned for their high-quality white wines, which are often ranked among the best whites in the region, alongside the Puligny-Montrachet. Their colour is a golden lamé with green highlights. The nose is very marked by a bouquet of white flowers: acacia, hawthorn, honeysuckle, verbena and lime. As the years go by, notes of honey and ripe pear generally appear. There is also a certain minerality and a touch of butter typical of Chardonnay.
The red wines of Chassagne-Montrachet have a bright, vibrant red colour. Their aromatic palette is made up of red fruits such as Morello cherry, raspberry, redcurrant and wild strawberry, with spicy and sometimes animal notes. These wines are quite tannic, concentrated and complex.
AOC Chassagne-Montrachet wines can be kept for a long time. The whites can be aged for 3 to 12 years; the reds for 5 to 15 years.
How to taste a Chassagne-Montrachet
White wines from the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation are a natural accompaniment to fish and seafood, as well as poultry and white meats. They sublimate veal, salmon, lobster, etc. To be more daring, serve a fish in curry or seared in a wok.
The red wines of Chassagne-Montrachet should be reserved for grilled or roasted red meats. Lamb, pork, but also spicy poultry are perfectly suited. Premier Cru reds are perfect with game birds.
Serve a white Chassagne-Montrachet AOC wine at a temperature of about 12-14°, and a red at about 15-17°.
Laissez-vous tenter... par les autres appellations !
Le vignoble
