Santenay

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The Côte de Beaune forms a rectilinear relief of tectonic origin extending over approximately 25 kilometres in a general northeast/southwest direction.
• This relief separates the limestone plateaux of the Hautes Côtes, to the west, at altitudes of between 400 and 500 metres, from the Bresse plain, a Tertiary rift basin lying at around 250 metres to the east.
• The regional climate has a moderate and regular rainfall pattern of approximately 750 millimetres per year, with no pronounced summer drought, and a mean annual temperature of 10.5°C.
• At Santenay, the Côte curves westward and continues along the left bank of the Dheune valley, a river draining the granitic hinterland, with slopes that are predominantly south-facing.
• The geological substrate consists of alternating limestones and marls (argillaceous limestones) of the Middle and Upper Jurassic, disrupted by intense faulting that creates a complex topography.
• The delimited parcels are situated on the hillside at altitudes of between 210 and 450 metres, south-facing and well sheltered.

• The Santenay appellation d'origine contrôlée was officially recognised in 1937, after the vineyard had gained momentum and forged its own identity from the 1930s onwards.
• In 1860, the Viticulture Committee of the arrondissement of Beaune classified the Santenay climats, ranking, out of 250 hectares of fine wines, 40 hectares as first class and 115 hectares as second class.
• The vines are trained at planting densities of more than 9,000 vines per hectare, with a varietal composition based on Chardonnay and Pinot noir.
• In 1829, nearly 500 hectares of the commune were planted with fine grape varieties of the Pinot family, making Santenay one of the most significant vineyards on the Côte.

• The red wines display a firm yet velvety tannic structure, with an aromatic expression often dominated by an elegant fruitiness reminiscent of strawberry or cherry.
• Wines bearing the 'premier cru' designation offer floral notes often reminiscent of violet, and, in older wines, notes of cherry brandy, forest floor, or dried tobacco.
• The white wines are dry and full-bodied, with fine acidity and highly developed aromas frequently expressing notes of hazelnut or fern.

• The limestone substrate ensures effective drainage and optimal regulation of soil water conditions throughout the Santenay vineyard.
• The relief of the Côte, the geological diversity, and the variety of soils encourage, in the wines, a palette of nuances that has led producers to differentiate the wines made from the individual climats of the Santenay viticultural area.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Dénominations géographiques complémentaires

• Santenay ou Santenay Côte de Beaune AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru Beauregard AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru Beaurepaire AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru Clos de Tavannes AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru Clos des Mouches AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru Clos Faubard AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru Clos Rousseau AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru Grand Clos Rousseau AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru La Comme AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru La Maladière AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru Les Gravières AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru Les Gravières-Clos de Tavannes AOC (PDO)
• Santenay premier cru Passetemps AOC (PDO)

All appellations in France

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF)
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — BIVB