Volnay
in Burgundy
Who has never heard of this wine village nestled in a hollow in the heart of the famous Côte de Beaune in Burgundy?
A favorable climate
The vineyards of the Côte de Beaune benefit from a predominantly oceanic climate with a semi-continental influence, frequent rains all year round, cold winters and hot summers.
a unique geology
The remarkable climatic conditions of the Côte de Beaune allow the Chardonnay grape to flourish and produce white wines with a unique character that are sought after around the world.
2000 YEARS OF HISTORY
From the 14th century, the monks, the Dukes of Burgundy, ... participated in the creation of unmissable sites such as the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune and the Cîteaux abbey which make it so rich.
Volnay
Volnay a high class red
Volnay is a Controlled Appellation of Origin instituted in 1937, it covers a total area of 221 hectares (including 132 Premier Cru).
Produced exclusively from red wine from the Pinot Noir grape variety, since in 1395 Philippe Le Hardi Duc de Bourgogne banned the production of the Gamay grape and replaced it with Pinot Noir, reputed to be more qualitative and visibly more suited to the climates of Burgundy.
In Burgundy, the different plots determine a regional, communal, premier cru and grand cru appellation depending on their geographical location.
In order to better navigate, its 83 appellations have been divided into 4 levels :
- The grands crus appellations
- The premiers crus appellations
- The communales appellations (villages)
- The regionales appellations (sometimes called "generic" or "sub-regional")
Here is the hierarchy of appellations for Volnay :
- Volnay premier cru
- Volnay premier cru + name of the original climate
- Volnay + name of the original climate
There is no such thing as a Grand Cru Volnay.
Here is the list of the 29 climats (localities) classified as Premier Cru :
- Carelle-sous-la-Chapelle
- Champans
- Chanlin
- Clos de l'Audignac
- Clos de la Barre
- Clos de la Bousse d'Or
- Clos de la Cave des Ducs
- Clos de la Chapelle
- Clos de la Rougeotte
- Clos des Chênes
- Clos des Ducs
- Clos du Château des Ducs
- Clos du Verseuil
- En Chevret
- Frémiets
- Frémiets-Clos de la Rougeotte
- La Gigotte
- Lassolle
- Le Ronceret
- Le Village
- Les Angles
- Les Brouillards
- Les Caillerets
- Les Caillerets-Clos des 60 Ouvrées
- Les Lurets
- Mitans
- Pitures-Dessus
- Robardelle
- Taille Pieds
=> This list does not include the Volnay Santenots premier crus, produced in reds.
They are located in the town of Meursault-Volnay. The whites of Santenots take the appellations Meursault / Meursault Premier Cru and the reds take the appellations Volnay les Santenots Premier Cru (Santenots du Milieu, Santenots Dessous).
Terroir
The Volnay appellation is located between 230 and 280 meters above sea level, facing south-east in the heart of the Côte de Beaune on the slopes of a slope gutted by a small closed valley.
The vines benefit from an oceanic climate with a semi-continental influence. The soil is well drained, made up of thin flat stones, limestone marl and clay-limestone scree.
On the top of the hill, village appellation, a very limestone ground. Then going down the slope, a white limestone from Aargau, very light and chalky in appearance, gives excellent premiers crus. Lower down, the Bathonian limestone is stony, ferruginous, reddish. Piedmont is made up of deeper and more gravelly soils.
=> The 29 hectares of vines located in Meursault, are on a steep slope on a marl-limestone terroir of the Oxfordian (Upper Jurassic) with red clays.
Tasting
The red wines of Volnay are famous for their delicacy, much appreciated by women !
This appellation is immediately recognizable by its light color, from the tender vermeil to the deepest ruby. On the nose, a delicate bouquet of red and black fruits (raspberry, redcurrant, cherry, blackberry, ...), flowery aromas (violet, rose, ...), with age the spices and the cooked prune are revealed. On the palate, incredible finesse, complexity and remarkable elegance, from soft to robust tannins with a beautiful roundness.
Can be drunk in their youth as well as after a few years of aging, between 4 to 8 years generally, a serving temperature between 14 and 16 ° C. Ideal with white meats (poultry, filet mignon, ...), roast duck, grilled meats, cheeses with mild flavors.
After several years of aging for a Volnay Premier Cru, roasted or just braised plumed game is the ideal pairing.
For lovers of grands crus, the Volnay Les Caillerets will be perfect! This appellation has all the desirable qualities of a great wine : airy, finesse, floral and elegant, with silky tannins.
As the 19th century proverb says : "Whoever does not have vines in Les Caillerets does not know what Vollenay is worth".
Small anecdote => Louis XI, Minister Colbert and Burgundian steward Claude Bouchu of Louis XIV, Bossuet or Thomas Jefferson, were great admirers for this red wine from Burgundy.
THE 20 COMMUNAL APPELLATIONS OF CÔTE DE BEAUNE
Volnay
Red wines only, very delicate, classy and fragrant.
Aloxe-Corton
It is the kingdom of pinot noir (red grape), robust and generous wines.
Pernand-Vergelesses
This appellation gives fleshy red wines and graceful whites.
Savigny-les-Beaune
Mostly fruity and structured red wines. White wines are rare.
Chorey-les-Beaune
The only appellation of the Côte de Beaune which extends over land in the plains.
Beaune
These well-drained terroirs allow the wine to be tender with notes of ripe fruit.
Pommard
This appellation is the king of reds, offering firm and robust wines.
Ladoix
Ladoix offers colorful, powerful red wines and white wines with a bouquet.
Monthélie
Monthélie is 90% red, pleasant, fruity wines with good aging potential.
Auxey-Duresses
The vineyard presents round and fatty white wines, fruity and peppery red wines.
Saint-Romain
The communal appellation offers mineral white wines and spicy red wines.
Meursault
Meursault is the largest village on the Côte de Beaune, with fresh and refined wines.
Blagny
A complete red wine of great elegance and a nice roundness in the mouth.
Puligny-Montrachet
The vines produce sunny, ripe and lively white wines. Red wines are extremely rare.
Chassagne-Montrachet
Appreciated since the Middle Ages, mineral whites and excellent reds.
Saint-Aubin
It is the specialist in tense, floral, creamy whites and light reds.
Santenay
Firm, robust red wines and tasty white wines of consistent quality.
Maranges
This vineyard is dedicated almost exclusively to reds.
Côte-de-Beaune-Villages
Only red, in the north supple wines and in the south firmer wines.
Côte-de-Beaune
This appellation offers both colors, whites and reds.
All wine regions
