Mercurey

Mercurey AOC, a century-old name

The Mercurey and Mercurey Premier Cru appellation d'origine contrôlée is one of the most important in the Côte Chalonnaise, near Chalon-sur-Saône, Burgundy. Mercurey wines have benefited from this appellation since 1923. The vineyards extend over the communes of Mercurey and Saint-Martin-sous-Montaigu.

Mercurey vines are planted at an altitude of between 230 and 320 meters, on a terroir composed of limestone marl to the east and Jurassic structure and crystalline bedrock covered with sandstone to the west. The appellation's 630 hectares produce around 27,500 hectolitres of wine annually.

This terroir, which extends over just the two aforementioned communes, is today divided into 32 1er cru climats.

The other appellation is "Mercurey Villages", which in 2018 accounted for most of the area in production, i.e. 480 ha out of a total of 645. In the same year, Mercurey vines produced almost 29,500 hl. Broken down as follows:

- 540 ha of red wines, including 150 1er crus, made from Pinot noir grapes

- 105 ha of white Chardonnay, 15 of which are 1er cru.

To the north and south of AOC Mercurey, there are other highly reputed appellations: Rully, with its predominantly white wines, runs towards Chagny and the Côte de Beaune, while Givry and Buxy, on the bangs of the Côte Chalonnaise, look towards Cluny and the Mâconnais.

The Mercurey and Mercurey Premier Cru appellation produces red wines from Pinot Noir grapes, and to a lesser extent, 100% Chardonnay whites, two of Burgundy's flagship grape varieties. Mercurey reds are full-bodied, fruity and rich, while the whites have a fine minerality, with white flower notes characteristic of Chardonnay. Wine lovers will particularly appreciate the appeal of this appellation thanks to the products offered by Château de Chamirey.

Pinot Noir gives Mercurey wines a ruby hue, evoking a palette of fruits such as cherry, raspberry and strawberry. As they mature, older Pinot Noirs also reveal an acrid aroma of tobacco or even cocoa beans.

Fleshy, red Mercurey wines are the perfect accompaniment to entrecote steak, and more generally to any fine piece of beef. But a dish of mutton in sauce, roast pork or stewed poultry will also do very well.

They can be served with a platter of soft or mature cheeses, starting at 14°C for a young wine, 16°C for an older one.

As for the Mercurey whites, the Chardonnay is spicy, with a flavor of thorny shrubs, hawthorn, acacia... It's mingled with nuts, hazelnuts and almonds, spiced with cinnamon and pepper...

These will subtly enhance grilled fish or fish in sauce, and all types of seafood in general. They also go surprisingly well with more exotic Asian dishes. Cheese lovers will enjoy them with hard cheese specialties, as an aperitif for example. White Mercurey wines should be served between 11 and 13°C.