Maranges

The Maranges and Maranges Premier Cru appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) is one of the most recent in the Côte de Beaune. Maranges wines obtained the appellation in 1989. It covers the communes of Cheilly-lès-Maranges, Sampigny-lès-Maranges, and Dezize-lès-Maranges in Saône-et-Loire.

The 162 hectares of vineyards are mainly Pinot Noir (157 hectares), more than half of which are Premiers Crus. There are seven Premiers Crus: La Fuissière, Clos des Rois, Clos de la Boutière, Clos des Loyères, Clos Roussots, Clos de la Loyère, and Croix aux Moines.

The Maranges and Maranges Premier Cru appellations produce red wines made from Pinot Noir grapes and, to a lesser extent, white wines made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, two of Burgundy's flagship grape varieties.

Maranges wine: a Burgundy in its own right

The three communes are located in the Cozanne Valley, a tributary of the Saône, south of the Côte de Beaune. The valley shares its origin and geological nature with this wine-growing region. This is why Maranges wines were once classified as "Beaune-Villages CoastCheilly, Sampigny, and Dezize are the only communes in the Côte de Beaune that belong to the Saône-et-Loire department. Here, the terrain is more hilly than in the neighboring Côte-d'Or, and the slopes face south/southeast. The vines are planted at an altitude of between 200 and 400 meters, on well-drained soil composed of calcareous marl and stony scree at the bottom of the hillsides. However, the soil is lighter and more gravelly in Cheilly-lès-Marange, which produces soft wines. In Sampigny and Dezize, where the soils are brown limestone and marl-limestone, the wines are firmer and more structured. The winegrowers have thus highlighted the specific characteristics of this terroir in order to bring their production together under the same AOC, the most recent in the entire Côte de Beaune.

Typical Burgundy grape varieties

The two main grape varieties used to make Maranges wines are emblematic of the Burgundy regionThe Pinot Noir grape variety, which thrives on these hillsides, dominates the vineyard. Although Maranges wines are mainly red, there is also a small production of whites, exclusively Chardonnay. The Maranges appellation covers more than 180 hectares of vineyards. More than half of the grapes harvested are used to produce Maranges 1er Cru. Seven climats, as the vineyard sites in Burgundy are known, share this distinction: Clos de la Boutière, Clos des Loyères, Clos de la Loyère, Clos des Rois, Clos Roussots, Croix des Moines, and La Huissière.

Maranges: powerful, colorful wines

Maranges red wine has a beautiful ruby color, sometimes darker, tending towards purple. The nose reveals aromas of strawberry and raspberry, followed by floral notes of violet. On the palate, it is fresh and full-bodied, revealing spicy pepper flavors. This still wine is best enjoyed at a temperature of 61°F and pairs perfectly with braised meats. Its acidity allows it to be cellared for several years. Maranges 1er Cru wines have a more assertive character. They reveal wild fruits, orange peel, honeysuckle, and prune. They can be kept longer and are wonderful after three to five years of aging. The best vintages can be kept for around fifteen years before being enjoyed. Maranges white wine, ideal as an aperitif or with fish, has a light straw color, sometimes with emerald green highlights. On tasting, it has a floral character and offers a fresh bouquet of hawthorn and acacia. Over the years, it develops aromas of gunflint and honey.