The Châtillonais vineyardOn the borders of Burgundy and Champagne, there is a vineyard of which part is devoted to sparkling wines. For more than 2000 years the vine has been an essential feature of this land and those who fashion it. It is the reflection of this region, which is so splendid to travel through, reserving so many surprises for its visitors ( http://www.pays-chatillonnais.fr ). The tenacity of these invincible wine growers, with their very Burgundian pride, is seen in the expression of their wines.→ The soil: The complexity of the soil and the sub-soil is found in the architecture of Châtillonnais wines. The Côte (Cuesta), the seat of this ancient vineyard, is composed of Oxfordian clay-limestone which becomes increasingly hard towards the summits. This excellent soil is characterised more precisely by an amalgam of hard limestone elements, called ‘Grèzes’, which produce the subtlety, depth and fullness of the flavours. → Climate: The Châtillonnais vineyard is situated where the oceanic tendency of the Paris basin meets the continental influence, characterised by hard winters and hot summers. For this reason, the vine may suffer spring frosts but benefits from beautiful summers and autumns, which providing excellent conditions for ripening the grapes. The general absence of fog means that the region enjoys plenty of sunshine. The grape varieties: The vines wind over a south-facing slope that is steep in parts, where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reign supreme, but also with some Pinot Blanc, Gamay or Aligoté. → The appellations : • CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE • BOURGOGNE ROUGE / ROSE • BOURGOGNE BLANC Every plot of land, each careful gesture of the wine grower as he tends his vines, then the wine-making process itself - everything is directed at giving this unique terroir its perfect expression, a terroir that produces the Grands Crémants de Bourgogne; the red, white or rosé Burgundies, and the Passetoutgrain Burgundies. Châtillonnais is the vineyard where the Crémant de Bourgogne best expresses its character in its original version. The Crémants de Bourgogne blending Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are full and fruity in the purest tradition of the Blanc de Noirs. The most exacting connoisseurs appreciate their bright golden colour combined with a fine long-lasting effervescence, their bouquet exhaling notes of white flowers - wine that is round, full-bodied in the mouth and generous on the palate. The Crémants de Bourgogne ‘cuvée Blanc de Blancs’ are made exclusively from Chardonnay. They are straw yellow in colour and also have a fine, long-lasting effervescence; they are characterised by an elegant cord of bubbles. Very fragrant aromas of golden fruit (Mirabelle or quetsch plums). In the mouth the attack is frank, aromatic and with long volume, all with great subtlety. The Crémants de Bourgogne Rosés usually develop a beautiful raspberry colour which betrays their Pinot Noir origin. Full in the mouth, they go exceedingly well with the most refined of dishes. Voluptuous and playing on notes of soft red fruit, they express all the art and know-how of the Châtillonnais wine producer. The Burgundy whites have a colour with glints of gold where the Chardonnay grapes can be recognised from the full yellow colour that looks like amber in the sunlight. They are characterised by their smoothness and aromatic structure with a blend of citrus fruits and honey. The garnet-red Burgundy reds have that colour hovering between red and rosé that personalises Burgundy wines. Their aromas of soft red fruit and their freshness make them a pleasure to drink on any occasion. The Burgundy rosés owe their innate dazzling talent to their terroir. This special colour comes in a range varying from fuchsia to old rose. Their harmonious blend of notes of jasmine and wild fruit is pleasantly complemented by their full-bodied bouquet. Ideal for aperitifs among friends and on balmy summer days. (Source on the Chatillonnais: Christophe SUCHAUT Chambre d’Agriculture de la Côte d’Or) |
