Beaune

The Beaune and Beaune Premier Cru Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) is a municipal appellation in the Côte de Beaune, in the Côte-d’Or department, which was established in 1936. The names of Beaune and Beaune Premier Cru wines may be followed by the name of their climat of origin. In fact, there are 42 climats classified as Beaune Premier Cru, including: Clos des Mouches, Clos des Ursules, Clos du Roi, Les Toussaints, Les Grèves, etc.

As the very embodiment of Burgundy and the capital of its wine, Beaune attracts attention from around the world during the auction of wines from its Hospices. Beaune also boasts one of the largest vineyards on the Côte, covering a total area of more than 400 hectares, approximately two-thirds of which are classified as Beaune Premier Cru, representing an annual production of more than 12,000 hectoliters. The Beaune vineyards are planted on limestone soils at the summit of the Côte, on Argovian marl as the slopes descend, and on limestone mixed with clay at the base of the hillside. The Beaune Premier Cru vineyards face from due east to due south.

Made from Pinot Noir, Beaune and Beaune Premier Cru red wines have been renowned since the early Middle Ages for their youthful character, full of fire and bouquet. The white wines, which are relatively rare, highlight terroirs well-suited to the Chardonnay grape variety. Magnificent Beaune wines are thus available as Premier Crus, notably from Maison Bouchard Père et Fils, Domaine Dominique Laurent, Domaine de la Vougeraie, Domaine Chanson Père et Fils, and the unmissable Maison Joseph Drouhin.