Côte de Beaune

The Côte de Beaune is the southern half of Burgundy’s famed Côte d’Or wine region in eastern France, renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Here’s a clear, structured overview:

🗺️ Location & Overview

• Region: Southern section of the Côte d’Or, Burgundy, France

• Length: Roughly 20 km (12 miles) long, stretching from Ladoix-Serrigny (north) to Maranges (south)

• Center: The historic wine town of Beaune, considered the capital of Burgundy wines

🍇 Grape Varieties

• White: Chardonnay – dominant in the southern villages

• Red: Pinot Noir – grown throughout but most prominent in northern villages

🌄 Terroir

• Limestone and marl soils with varied exposures and elevations

• Slightly gentler slopes than the Côte de Nuits to the north

• Cooler, breezier microclimate in some parts, giving elegant, balanced wines

🏅 Notable Appellations & Villages

For White Wines (Chardonnay):

• Meursault – rich, nutty, buttery whites with deep texture

• Puligny-Montrachet – refined, mineral, floral whites

• Chassagne-Montrachet – powerful, structured whites

• Corton-Charlemagne (Grand Cru) – one of Burgundy’s greatest whites, from Aloxe-Corton hill

For Red Wines (Pinot Noir):

• Beaune – approachable, fruity, and often value-driven

• Pommard – firm, robust reds with earthy tannins

• Volnay – elegant, perfumed, silky reds

• Corton (Grand Cru) – the only red Grand Cru in Côte de Beaune

🏰 Beaune Town

• Historic heart of Burgundy’s wine trade

• Famous for the Hospices de Beaune, a 15th-century hospital and annual wine auction

🍷 Style Summary

• Whites: Rich yet elegant, showing balance between fruit, minerality, and oak

• Reds: Softer and more approachable than those from Côte de Nuits, though Pommard and Corton can be quite powerful