Chorey-lès-Beaune

Chorey-lès-Beaune, a lesser-known appellation worth discovering

While the Burgundy wine region is brimming with prestigious names and highly sought-after wines—to the point where certain bottles are very hard to come by and often command a high price—there are still a few more low-key appellations that are well worth exploring. 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 brings out the best in Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.

An unusual situation

Although viticulture in the commune of Chorey-lès-Beaune, like throughout the vineyards stretching across the Côte d'Or, has a long history, it did not receive its own AOC classification until 1970. The commune has only 134 hectares of vineyards, which were severely affected by phylloxera and then downy mildew in the early 20th century. Until 1970, the grapes grown in Chorey-lès-Beaune were therefore sold under the appellations of neighboring villages. AOC recognition, however, marked the acknowledgment of a distinct terroir, with its own personality, and an atypical location. Indeed, while the vast majority of vineyard plots (called “climats”) in the Côte d’Or are planted on hillsides, in Chorey-lès-Beaune, most of the vineyards are found on the plain. This partly explains the absence of climats classified as Grand Cru or Premier Cru, the highest levels of the 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, for their part, are designated, depending on the specific climat, as either the Bourgogne appellation or the Chorey-lès-Beaune communal appellation. The limited area means these wines do not “flood the market.” Less prestige, modest volumes—this explains the appellation’s relative obscurity. But this obscurity and the atypical nature of its exposure are becoming assets. The price range remains very reasonable, and the limited sun exposure yields balanced wines that allow both Pinot Noir (over 90% of the wines produced) and Chardonnay to express themselves fully.

Wines that are smooth, elegant, and full-bodied

The soils of the Chorey-lès-Beaune appellation are predominantly clay-limestone, with marl-limestone alluvial deposits and a sandy subsoil. As for red wines, Chorey-lès-Beaune produces Pinot Noirs that are low in tannins and very fruit-forward. A long-standing criticism of the appellation was that it produced wines that were certainly pleasant but lacked persistence and had a limited aromatic profile. These criticisms are no longer valid. Yield control, the commitment to allowing the vines to age to achieve greater concentration, and the production of single-vineyard cuvées (grapes from a single climat) have done their work. Now, when tasting a red Chorey-lès-Beaune, one discovers 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, though the soils remain fairly deep. The color of Chorey-lès-Beaune whites is pale gold; the nose evokes honeysuckle, and on the palate, a very light minerality awakens the palate and gives the wines length. Notes of yellow fruit and hazelnut, along with a fairly pronounced richness, make these wines mouthwatering, perfect for enjoying as an aperitif or with a meal, such as risotto or tabbouleh. In both red and white, these wines’ roundness and elegance make them particularly enjoyable as the warmer weather arrives.