Corton-Charlemagne
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Accessory grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- Slopes of the 'Montagne de Corton', an isolated hill between two valleys, spanning 3 communes in the Côte-d'Or, at elevations between 240 and 350 m
- A tectonically formed escarpment (Côte de Beaune) separating the limestone plateaux of the Hautes Côtes (400–500 m) from the Bresse plain (250 m)
- Jurassic geological sequence: limestones of the 'Dalle nacrée' at the base of the slope, overlain by silica-rich marls ('chailles') at mid-slope
- Cool oceanic climate (750 mm/year, average 10.5 °C) with thermal shelter and a rainfall deficit provided by the Morvan massif and the Burgundian plateaux
Human factors
- The lieu-dit 'En Charlemagne' is linked to a gift of vineyards made by Emperor Charlemagne in 775 to the collegiate church of Saulieu.
Product characteristics
- Golden colour, nose of ripe fruit, spices and dried fruit; a supple yet firm palate with mineral notes. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Wines that can be austere in youth, with excellent ageing potential, developing favourably over many years.
Terroir / wine link
- Chardonnay, the 'native Burgundian variety', expresses its 'finesse and aromatic richness' under the 'cool climate' of the hillside.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.