Chorey-lès-Beaune

Chorey-lès-Beaune, a discreet appellation waiting to be discovered

While Burgundy's vineyards are brimming with prestigious names and highly sought-after wines, to the point that certain bottles are very difficult to acquire and often come with a hefty price tag, there are still a few more discreet appellations that are well worth a detour. Chorey-lès-Beaune, an appellation located, as its name suggests, on the Côte de Beaune, is one of them. In red, and more rarely in white, it knows how to bring out the best in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

An unusual situation

Although wine growing has a long history in the commune of Chorey-lès-Beaune, as it does throughout the Côte d'Or wine region, it was not until 1970 that it obtained its own AOC classification. The commune has only 134 hectares of vineyards, which were severely affected by phylloxera and then mildew at the beginning of the 20th century. Until 1970, the grapes grown in Chorey-lès-Beaune were therefore sold under the appellation of neighboring villages. However, AOC recognition marked the recognition of a unique terroir with its own personality and atypical location. While the vast majority of vineyards (called climats) in the Côte d'Or are planted on hillsides, most of the vineyards in Chorey-lès-Beaune are located on the plain. This partly explains the absence of climats classified as grand cru or premier cru, the highest levels of appellation. These levels are reserved for climats that combine exceptional terroir, optimal exposure, and the ability to drain rainwater. The wines of Chorey-lès-Beaune benefit from the Bourgogne appellation or the Chorey-lès-Beaune communal appellation. The small size of the area means that these wines do not "flood the market." Less prestige and modest volumes explain the relative discretion of the appellation. But this discretion and the atypical nature of its exposure are becoming assets. The price range remains very reasonable, and the lower exposure to the sun produces balanced wines that allow the Pinot Noir (more than 90% of the wines produced) and Chardonnay to express themselves.

Supple, elegant, and delicious wines

The soils of the Chorey-lès-Beaune appellation are predominantly clay-limestone with marl-limestone alluvium and a sandy subsoil. In terms of red wines, Chorey-lès-Beaune produces Pinot Noir wines that are low in tannins and very fruit-forward. A criticism long levelled at the appellation was that it produced wines that were pleasant but lacked persistence and had a limited aromatic palette. These criticisms are no longer valid. Yield control, a desire to allow the vines to age in order to obtain greater concentration, and the production of single-vineyard cuvées (grapes from a single climat) have all played their part. Now, when you taste a red Chorey-lès-Beaune, you discover a wine with a light color, a subtle nose blending notes of blackcurrant and dried flowers, and a delicate, smooth palate that reveals crisp, juicy fruit. The few plots planted with Chardonnay have a higher concentration of limestone, but the soil remains fairly deep. Chorey-lès-Beaune whites have a light gold color and a nose reminiscent of honeysuckle. On the palate, a very slight minerality awakens the palate and gives the wines length. Notes of yellow fruit and hazelnut, and a fairly pronounced richness make these wines mouthwatering, to be enjoyed as an aperitif or with a meal, such as risotto or tabbouleh. In both colors, these are wines whose roundness and elegance make them very enjoyable when the warm weather arrives.