Fixin PDO
Fixin, a red wine from Burgundy to discover without delay
With its small hundred hectares, this appellation of the Burgundy vineyard is often misunderstood. All the more so as it is close to the prestigious AOC Gevrey-Chambertin, which alone counts 9 of the 33 Grands Crus of Burgundy. In Fixin, no Grand Cru, but red wines classified as Premier Cru and which, by their great quality, announce the nearby Gevrey-Chambertin. The Fixin AOC also offers (very) rare white wines, some of which are classified as Premier Cru. This appellation of the North of the Côte de Nuits deserves to be (re)discovered.
General presentation of the appellation fixin
Fixin - pronounced "fissin" - is located in the Côte d'Or, south of Dijon. On the Route des Grands Crus, the appellation area is an extension of Marsannay and adjoins Gevrey-Chambertin. The AOC Fixin is thus one of the most northerly appellations of the Côte de Nuits.
The vineyard covers approximately 100 hectares spread over the communes of Fixin and Brochon. Almost all of it is devoted to Pinot Noir, the emblematic grape variety of Burgundy red wines; nearly 20 hectares are classified as Premier Cru. Barely 6 hectares are dedicated to Chardonnay. Less than 1 hectare is classified as Premier Cru. Finally, part of the production in Fixin is marketed under the appellation "côte-de-nuits Village".
The few Climats classified as Premier Cru are located to the west of Fixin, on the top of the hillside. Among them, the Clos de la Perrière is often cited as the figurehead of the vineyard. Other plots are also excellent: Clos Napoléon, Clos du Chapitre, Les Hervelets/Arvelets.
Characteristics of Fixin
The red wines of the Fixin appellation have a brilliant, clear purple colour. Their aromatic palette is typical of pinot noir. It opens with red and black fruits such as blackcurrant, blackberry and cherry. Alongside these fruity notes, a pleasant bouquet of violets and peony blossoms. The animal, musk and pepper notes are recurrent. Cherry pit, quince and liquorice can sometimes enrich this complex nose, as can cooked peach and bramble. Their structure is solid, sometimes hard in the youth of the wines. Often tannic, the Fixin is distinguished by a delicate texture, especially in the Premier Cru.
Behind a golden straw colour, the white Fixin AOC wines reveal a bouquet of rosehip on a mineral background.
The red Fixin AOC wines need to be aged for a few years before being enjoyed. A Fixin red wine can be kept for 5 to 10 years. White wines can be aged for an average of 3 to 6 years.
How to enjoy a Fixin
Served at a temperature of between 15 and 17°C, a red Fixin goes well with fine pieces of red meat as well as spicy white meats, in curry or tandoori for example. This red wine from Burgundy also goes well with paella, tapas, egg rolls and, more traditionally, eggs en meurette, poularde de Bresse with morels and coq au vin. When it comes to cheese, it is with chaource, comté or epoisses that it reveals its full potential.
White Fixin is best served at a temperature of 11-13°. It is perfect with shellfish, crustaceans and fine fish such as monkfish. Poultry in white sauce and blue-veined cheeses, such as Bresse blue cheese, also find their place alongside this rare white Burgundy wine.
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