Côte Chalonnaise

Between the Côte de Beaune to the north and the hills of the Mâconnais to the south, the Côte Chalonnaise is some 25km long by 7km wide. Here, in the heart of a landscape spiked with hills, the plots of vines have been planted on the best southeast-facing slopes. For a thousand years, the vines have plunged their roots into soil similar to those of the nearby Côte de Beaune. Enjoying hot summers and dry weather in the autumn, the grapes have no problem ripening here.

In the Côte Chalonnaise winemakers grow several different grape varieties, although Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate. Exceptionally, the hamlet of Bouzeron gives pride of place to the Aligoté grape, as home to the only village appellation that is entirely produced from this ancient variety.

Côte Chalonnaise Appellation Villages, some of which have climats classified as Premiers Crus:

• Bouzeron, Givry, Mercurey, Montagny, Rully

Côte Chalonnaise Appellations Régionales specific to wine-producing region:

• Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise, Bourgogne Côte du Couchois

As in the rest of the Bourgogne winegrowing region, the Côte Chalonnaise also offers a range of different appellations Régionales: Bourgogne white and red, Bourgogne Aligoté, Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains and Coteaux Bourguignons.