Corton-Charlemagne

The appellation takes its name from its history. Produced on a vineyard between the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Blanc owes its name to two emperors: Curtis of Otto, who was the first to give his name to the terroir, and then Charlemagne. In 775, Charlemagne donated these vineyards to the collegiate church of Saint-Andoche in Saulieu, which cultivated them until the French Revolution. The Carolingian emperor was nicknamed “the emperor with the flowery beard” because of the red wine stains he got while drinking. Legend has it that, to avoid getting stained anymore, he ordered Chardonnay to be planted in order to produce white wine. 

Facing southeast/southwest—which is uncommon in the Côte—the hillside of Corton-Charlemagne offers a perfect geological profile: the Oxfordian Jurassic strata here between Ladoix and Meursault are younger than in the rest of the Côte. Midway up the hillside, the gently sloping soil is reddish and stony, brown limestone, rich in marl with a high potassium content. The Chardonnay, used exclusively for the Corton-Charlemagne wine Grand Cru occupies the upper part of the hillside. The vineyard of Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru covers an area of nearly 52 hectares and produces approximately 2,160 hectoliters of white wine annually.

The elegance and finesse of Corton-Charlemagne

The Corton-Charlemagne is a dry, still white wine. It is a wine meant for aging that reveals its richness after about ten years. However, it can age in the cellar for 25 to 30 years. It has distinctive characteristics. First, in terms of its color, it displays a pale gold hue with green highlights. As it ages, it evolves toward amber. Next, on the nose, this great wine captivates with its various fruity and floral aromas, including notes of baked apple, linden blossom, fern, and cinnamon. Finally, its round, lingering finish is exceptional. The wine from the Corton-Charlemagne estate expresses a harmonious, delicate, and elegant profile. 

Rarely does the character of a grape variety form such a close connection with the character of its terroir, particularly thanks to the work of high-quality wineries such as Domaine Faiveley, Domaine Joseph Drouhin, Domaine Leroy, Maison Bouchard Père et Fils, and Maison Louis Jadot. 

Burgundy remains one of France's leading wine-producing regions, home to several AOC wines. Among the "Grands Crus" appellations, north of Beaune lies the vineyard of Corton-Charlemagne. Several classified climate zones produce the Charlemagne wine including Le Charlemagne, En Charlemagne, Les Pougets, Le Corton, and Les Languettes. These demarcated plots are spread out around three villages: Aloxe-Corton, Ladoix-Serrigny, and Pernand-Vergelesses. It is customary not to mention the name of the climat on the labels of Corton-Charlemagne bottles.

The ideal terroir for Bourgogne Charlemagne

Facing south, this grape variety enjoys perfect exposure on the hillside of the Montagne de Corton. The vineyard occupies the upper part of the mountain at an altitude ranging from 280 to 330 meters, ensuring adequate sunlight. It spans 52 hectares on steep slopes (20 to 23 percent). The Chardonnay is planted in limestone soils rich in marl and clay. These geological and climatic conditions contribute to the exceptional character of the Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

Charlemagne White Wine and Food Pairings

On tasting, this Burgundy wine surprises with its balance and the intensity of its flavors. Thepurchase of a Corton Charlemagne is ideal for sophisticated, refined meals. This full-bodied, characterful wine pairs perfectly with fine dishes such as foie gras, langoustines, lobster, crayfish, and crab, as well as poultry. Corton-Charlemagne White Price : Discover our selection of Charlemagne grand crus and buy your bottles of wine at the best price.