Auxey-Duresses

Nestled in the heart of the Bourgogne hautes Côtes de Beaune, Meursault and Monthélie appellations, Auxey Duresses AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée), a Côte de Beaune Villages appellation, extends over the commune of the same name.

The Auxey-Duresses appellation d'origine contrôlée is a Village appellation in the vineyards of Côte de Beaune, Côte-d'Or. The appellation comprises 9 Climats classified as Premier Cru.

The Auxey-Duresses AOC is located at the threshold of a valley which, from the Côte de Beaune, plunges into the Hautes-Côtes on the road to La Rochepot and Autun. Auxey-Duresses (pronounced Aussey), with its hamlets of Petit-Auxey and Melin, is undoubtedly one of Burgundy's Celtic and Gallo-Roman vine sanctuaries.

This former dependency of Cluny Abbey once divided its activity between grain mills and grape presses. Only the latter remain today to produce this Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, instituted in 1937.

Nearly 135 hectares of clay and limestone soils give birth to nine Premier Cru climats each harvest. A temperate climate and continental influences give the grapes a particular strength, resulting in powerful, fleshy red Auxey Duresses wines, and rather greedy white Auxey Duresses.

Nature clearly delineates the reds and whites. Following on from Volnay and Monthélie, the Bourdon mountain has a very stony marl-limestone bedrock that gives the Duresses their impetus, a climate with east and southeast exposure. 

On the southeastern flank of the Bourdon mountain, which separates the village of Auxey Duresses from the vineyards of Monthélie, the wines grown on this hill are exclusively red. Here, Pinot noir finds the soil and sunshine it needs to flourish, expressing its full character and producing full-bodied wines. On the other side of the village, Mont Mélian overlooks the Meursault vineyards. With its limestone soils, the climate of the Val faces south. Marl prevails over limestone at La Chapelle. The finesse of Mont Mélian's soil heralds Meursault and Puligny, a white wine paradise.

It's on this very fine soil that Auxey Duresses winegrowers come to cultivate the Chardonnay that gives these aromatic white wines.

Even if the emblematic Pommard overshadows the Auxey Duresses vineyard due to its proximity, the appellation nonetheless delivers wines renowned for their character and powerful tannins, especially for the reds. "Les Duresses", "Les Ecussaux", "Les Grands Champs" and "La Chapelle" are all climats classified as Premiers Crus, giving the vineyard a noble reputation.

Auxey Duresses red wines have a subtle ruby color and a bouquet reminiscent of ripe red fruit or black fruit such as blackcurrant, blackberry or blueberry. On the palate, the attack is slightly astringent, quickly giving way to leathery, spicy notes.

Auxey Duresses white wines are pale yellow with golden highlights. The nose reveals scents of cookies, fresh almonds and a rich mineral presence. The palate is greedy, and the finish fades slowly to allow the aromas to take hold.

The velvety smoothness of Auxey Duresses red wines is a perfect match for quality dishes, especially fine, tender meats such as veal, lamb, rabbit or poultry. A Premier Cru Auxey Duresses with poularde or capon is the perfect companion. Because of its qualities, Auxey Duresses red wine prefers a rich, creamy cheese such as Chaource, Brie or Saint Nectaire.

Auxey Duresses white wines are a perfect match for river or marsh products. Enjoy with carnivorous fish such as pike or zander, or with snails or frogs' legs. On the cheese side, it will perfectly balance the strength of Livarot, Epoisses or Bleu des Causses, and even Roquefort.