Site map Add Mon Millesime to my favourites Add Mon Millesime to my favourites | Version française Version française
Mon Millésime, Old wine specialistEnjoy your journey through a century of vintages�
Mon Millésime, Old wine specialist


CHARLEMAGNE


Naming Grand Cru of Côte de Beaune, in Côte-d'Or. The area of production of wines of the naming CORTON-CHARLEMAGNE contains that of the naming CHARLEMAGNE which, at present, is not any more claimed. Municipalities of production:
CORTON-CHARLEMAGNE: Aloxe-Corton, Ladoix-Serrigny and Pernand-Vergelesses.
CHARLEMAGNE: Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses. Certain plots of land, as they are planted in pinot noir or in Chardonnay, can benefit, in the choice of the producer, either the naming CORTON (red wines), or the naming CORTON-CHARLEMAGNE (white wines).

 

On the label, the naming GRAND CRU has to appear necessarily at once below the name of each of these naming. Pale gold in its youth and was decorated with green reflections, Corton-Charlemagne sets with the age of the more yellow and amber nuances. Of an infinite delicacy, its bouquet expresses, on buttered (drunk) tones, the apple in the oven, the citrus fruits, the pineapple, the lime tree, the fern, the juniper, the cinnamon and the flint. The honeyed notes are frequent. The leather and the truffle make escort for the former vintage wines (until 25 - 30 years). The glass and the palace are filled with a powerful breath. Of a virulent wealth, the Chardonnay amazes here by its concentration, its distinction and its balance. Rarely the grace of the vine establishes a link so narrow with the character of its country.
In the limit between Côte de Nuit and Côte de Beaune, tilting this way, between 280 and 330 meters in height, Corton-Charlemagne is mostly exposed to the southwest (rare in the Coast). High and rounded off on its three wine sides, the Mountain of Corton gathers here the villages of Aloxe-Corton (climate Charlemagne), by Pernand-Vergelesses (climate In Charlemagne) and of Ladoix-Serrigny (some climates in whole or in part: Pouget, Corton, Languettes).

 

This vineyard is offered by emperor Charlemagne in 775 to the collegiate church Saint-Andoche of Saulieu. It will stay one thousand years in these heritages! Celebrating today still the emperor in the flowing white beard, Corton-Charlemagne gathers climates Charlemagne and In Charlemagne as well as some climates nearby and federated under this banner (the AOC(PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN) Grand Cru dates July 31st, 1937). Contrary to Corton, the name of the climate does not appear on the label.

 

On stiff slopes (20 in 23 %) and on the highest part of the Mountain of Corton which offers a perfect geologic cup (younger Jurassic grounds between Ladoix-Serrigny and Meursault, 145 million years), marly grounds the color of which varies (yellowish, ochre, brown), rich in clay. Calcareous benches alternate with marls under a film of rendzines. Corton (red for the main part) is produced at the middle-hillside on appreciably different grounds.
White wines exclusively, Chardonnay grape variety.
Surface in production: 51,68 ha
Return to appellations list