APPELLATION D’ORIGINE CONTRÔLÉE SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Appellation Village of the Côte de Beaune region (Côte-d’Or). This appellation includes 19 Premiers Crus Climats. Producing commune: Meursault. On the label, the appellation MEURSAULT and MEURSAULT PREMIER CRU may be followed by the name of their Climat of origin.
TASTING NOTES
There are observable but minor differences between the wines of the different Climats (named plots). In most cases, Meursault is greeny-gold in colour or canary yellow, leaning towards bronze as it ages. Limpid and brilliant, it sometimes exhibits silvery highlights. Its bouquet has strong aromas of ripe grapes. The young wine is redolent of toasted almonds and hazelnuts in a floral (mayflower, elder, bracken, lime, verbena) and mineral (flint) setting. Butter, honey, and citrus fruits are also present. On the palate it is rich and fat with a cheerful and appealing taste of hazelnut. Unctuousness and freshness are in silky balance. Long and structured, it needs time to mature - this is a great white wine for laying down.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Its aromatic power and exceptional balance between fat and acidity make it an aristocrat among burgundies. Unsurprisingly, it has a natural affinity with noble and fine-textured fish or meat, which it can match without overpowering. It performs a similar feat with joints of veal or poultry in white sauce, which are rendered sublime by the wine’s unctuous texture and long, distinguished acidity. Still better are grilled lobster, crawfish, or king prawns in sauce - dishes whose aromatic intensity and crisp texture match the lively and supple balance of the wine. Even blue cheeses and foie gras take to it immediately. Serving temperature: 12 to 14°C.
LOCATION
The hard Comblanchian limestone which disappears deep underground around Nuits-Saint-Georges reappears here where, as one moves southward, red wines give way to whites. Nowhere in the Côte de Beaune does the Chardonnay grape do better than it does here. Along the village streets are a succession of little houses belonging to the vineyard workers, mixed with more imposing dwellings. The stone-work on the 53 metre-high church tower looks like it could be the work of fairies. The excellent soils were planted with vines by the monks of Cîteaux as early as 1098. A small amount of red wine is produced here, though white definitely dominates. Meursault’s appellation of origin status dates from 1937.
SOILS
The best soils are found at heights of 260 metres with exposures along an arc between East and South. They consist of Jurassic marls and marly limestones. There are some patches of magnesian limestone. The ancient callovien limestone and argovien marls shave the crus.
COLOUR(S) AND GRAPE VARIETY(IES)
Nearly all whites - Chardonnay. Red wines - Pinot Noir.
PRODUCTION
Area under production*: 1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m2 = 24 ouvrées. Whites: 382.32 ha (including 104.69 ha Premier Cru). Reds: 13.52 ha (including 2.81 ha Premier Cru). Average annual yield**: 1 hectolitre (hl) = 100 litres = 133 bottles. Whites: 19,398 hl (including 4,943 hl Premier Cru). Reds: 475 hl (including 60 hl Premier Cru). PRODUCTION *In 2011 **5 years average, 2007-2011
PREMIERS CRUS CLIMATS
Les Cras, Les Caillerets, Les Santenots Blancs, Les Plures, Les Santenots du Milieu, Charmes, La Jeunellotte or Blagny, La Pièce sous le Bois or Blagny, Sous le Dos d’Ane or Blagny, Sous Blagny or Blagny, Perrières, Clos des Perrières, Genevrières, Le Porusot, Les Bouchères, Les Gouttes d’Or, Les Ravelles or Blagny, Porusot, Blagny. Red wines grown in the following lieux-dits: Les Santenots Blancs, Les Plures, Les Santenots du Milieu, Les Santenots du Dessous, Les Vignes Blanches form collectively the Climat of Santenots and may claim the appellation VOLNAY-SANTENOTS.
Ref.: www.bourgogne-wines.com
