Chassagne-Montrachet

Chassagne-Montrachet, in the southern part of the Côte De Beaune, shares with Puligny the uncontested title of the prince of the world’s dry white wines: the divine Montrachet (pronounced “Monrachay”). This fine, broad hillside brings out the very highest expression of the two Burgundian grapes, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which grow here side by side such is the complexity of the region’s soils. Extensive marble quarries, which form a kind of cliff face, were the source of the pink and beige flagstones which went into the building of the Trocadero in Paris and, more recently, the Louvre Pyramid. The Chassagne-Montrachet AOC dates from 1937. It includes some plots in the neighbouring village of Remigny which share the same soil types.

Chassagne-Montrachet sits at altitudes between 220 and 325 metres, the succession of rocks from the top down is first Rauracien, then Callovien and finally Argovien. The soil of the various climats (named plots with distinctive qualities) ranges from pebbly limestones, through marls, to sandy soils with a Jurassic basis.

White Chassagne-Montrachet has an opulence and power that make it an ideal partner for delicate white meats and fish; the premiers crus appellations will readily complement crayfish, lobster, or even foie gras. Red Chassagne-Montrachet is powerful and tannic, with an aromatic quality that flatters fine quality red meat dishes, even those with gentle Indian spicing. The premiers crus demand your finest game dishes.