AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

History of AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

Located in the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, the AOC Chassagne-Montrachet is one of the region's most prestigious appellations. Chassagne-Montrachet wines come from a long-standing winemaking tradition, marked by close attention to terroir and vinification techniques in both red and white wines. The "1er Cru" designation highlights high-quality plots, officially recognized since the AOC classification in 1937.

Climate and Terroir of AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

• Climate: The appellation has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, which promotes slow grape maturation. The Chassagne-Montrachet vineyard enjoys excellent sun exposure on east- and southeast-facing slopes.
• Soils: Chassagne-Montrachet’s terroir is distinguished by limestone and marl soils, rich in minerals. This soil is particularly well-suited for Burgundy’s noble grape varieties, giving the wines great aromatic complexity. The "1er Cru" classified plots are situated in the best micro-climates of the appellation and produce wines of remarkable finesse.

The Grapes of AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru wines are produced from two grape varieties: Pinot Noir for red wines and Chardonnay for white wines. These emblematic Burgundy varieties express themselves fully in this unique terroir.

Style of AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Wines

Red wine: Ruby-red with garnet reflections. The aromatic profile includes red fruits (cherry, strawberry) with subtle notes of undergrowth (humus) and spices, evolving into leather and truffle with age. On the palate, AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru red wines are fine and structured, with velvety tannins and a long finish.

White wine: Pale yellow with golden reflections. The nose reveals aromas of white-fleshed fruits (pear, apple), citrus, fresh butter, and floral notes (hawthorn), evolving into hints of honey and dried fruits. These white wines are rich and full on the palate, with a mineral tension and a long, racy finish.

Best Food and Wine Pairings with AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

Here are some of the best dishes to pair with a bottle of red or white Burgundy wine from a domaine or château in AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru:

• White wine: lobster or crayfish with butter, scallops, seared foie gras.
• Red wine: partridge stew, pheasant with hunter’s sauce, beef filet.