Saint-Aubin
Terroir
Natural factors
- A dry valley enclosed within the Hautes Côtes (400–500 m), forming a south-facing cirque around the hamlet of Gamay.
- Slopes masked by spreads of scree, clays, and silts derived from the weathering of the bedrock; plots between 300 m and 430 m, predominantly on the left bank.
- A cooler mesoclimate than the Côte de Beaune: sheltered position within the Hautes Côtes, rainfall ~750 mm/year, mean annual temperature 10.5 °C.
Human factors
- AOC recognised in 1937; before 1936, the wines were sold under the names 'Volnay', 'Pommard', or 'Beaune'.
- Planting density >9,000 vines/ha; ageing ≥9 months; chardonnay B dominant near the valley mouth and around Gamay.
Product characteristics
- Reds: deep colour, solid tannic structure, present fruitiness; 1ers crus develop notes of chocolate and spice with age.
Terroir / wine link
- The coolness of the valley yields white wines of aromatic elegance and pronounced acidity, preserved throughout ripening.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.