Côte de Beaune

The Côte de Beaune is a key wine-producing district within the Burgundy wine region in eastern France, named after the town of Beaune, which serves as the heart of winemaking activity in the area. It is one of the two subregions of the larger Côte d'Or, the other being the Côte de Nuits to the north. The Côte de Beaune is particularly renowned for its extraordinary white wines made from Chardonnay, including some of the most famous and expensive examples in the world like those from Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne, and Meursault.

While white wines are the stars, the Côte de Beaune also produces superb red wines primarily from Pinot Noir. These wines typically exhibit great elegance and complexity with a lighter body compared to those from the Côte de Nuits. The region encompasses a range of Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards, which are recognized for their unique terroirs and the distinct, expressive wines they produce.

The terroir here is varied, with a mixture of limestone, clay, and marl soils which, along with the gentle slopes and favorable exposure, contribute to the nuanced differences between wines from different vineyards. Winemakers in the Côte de Beaune often utilize traditional methods, but there has been an increasing shift towards sustainable and organic practices, reflecting a deep respect for the land and a commitment to quality and environmental stewardship.