Beaune

Beaune is a Burgundian icon and capital of Bourgogne’s wine trade, taking centre place on the world stage during the annual Hospices De Beaune wine auction. The Hôtel-Dieu, built in a flamboyant style, the huge silent cellars of the négociants houses, and the wine-growing domaines of the district all attract countless visitors. The Beaune vineyards are among the most extensive of the Côte. From here comes the Pinot vermilion of the Dukes of Bourgogne - a red wine, aromatic and full of fire, whose reputation goes back to the late Middle Ages. The whites, less common, make the best use of soils suited to the Chardonnay grape. The Beaune AOC was established in 1936.

In the synclinal of Volnay, the Comblanchien limestone disappears into the depths to be replaced by the overlying Rauracian. The slopes are quite steep and the scree-derived soil is thinnish. On the lower slopes are Argovian marls and deep soils, white, grey or yellow, tinged with red from the iron in the Oxfordian limestone. At the foot of the slope, limestones are mixed with clay. The exposure is east to due south and the altitude ranges from 220 to 300 metres.

The characteristics of the red wines of Beaune differ slightly depending upon the exact location of the vineyard. Wines from the northern end of the commune are more often intense and powerful, and those from the southern end are smoother and fuller. The whites of Beaune have a flowery freshness and may be enjoyed either young and fruity or older and mellower.