AOC Vosne-romanée

History of the Vosne-Romanée Vineyard

Burgundy is famous worldwide for its incomparable grand crus and mythical vintages that fetch a fortune. Among these sought-after appellations, AOC Vosne-Romanée is certainly one of the most emblematic, notably thanks to its most renowned grand cru: Romanée-Conti. However, if you wish to taste this precious nectar, it's best to have a well-filled wallet, as this cuvée holds the record for the world's most expensive wine! But don't worry, if you want to discover the Vosne-Romanée vineyard, you can acquire a bottle from the appellation at a more reasonable price. Seize the opportunity now, as the demand for Burgundy wine is skyrocketing, and bottles are becoming increasingly rare. Discover through this guide everything you need to know about the history, terroir, and grape varieties of wines from the AOC Vosne-Romanée appellation. Follow all our tips for making the best food and wine pairings with Vosne-Romanée red wine.

What is the History of the Vosne-Romanée Vineyard?

In Burgundy, vine cultivation dates back to the Gallo-Roman era, nearly two millennia ago. While the edict of 92 by the Roman Emperor Domitian prohibited planting and partially uprooted vines in Burgundy to avoid competition with Italian production, Probus revoked this edict in 280, allowing the vineyards of the Côte d'Or to thrive again. However, it was truly during the Middle Ages, thanks to the work of the clergy, that the Vosne-Romanée vineyard developed and the first crus began to appear. This is notably the case with the famous Romanée-Conti, created as early as 1232 by the monks of the Cîteaux Abbey. It was shortly thereafter, in 1395, that Philippe the Bold, Duke of Burgundy at the time, decided to improve the quality of Burgundy wines by prohibiting the cultivation of Gamay in favor of Pinot Noir. Benefiting later from controlled designation of origin (AOC) status since 1936, the AOC Vosne-Romanée is renowned worldwide for the quality of its red wines and prestigious grand crus.

Climate and Terroir of the AOC Vosne-Romanée Appellation

Climate: The AOC Vosne-Romanée appellation is located in the Côte de Nuits region in Burgundy. The vineyard has an oceanic climate with slight continental influences and possesses a large number of microclimates.

Soils: In terms of soils, the terroir of the AOC Vosne-Romanée is mainly composed of limestone and clayey marl.

Crus: Among the best climates of the appellation, 8 are classified as Grand Cru:

• La Romanée-Conti
• Le Richebourg
• La Romanée
• La Tâche
• Le Romanée-Saint-Vivant
• La Grande Rue
• Les Grands-Échezeaux
• L'Échezeaux

The appellation also includes 14 Premier Crus:

• Au-dessus des Malconsorts
• Aux Brûlées
• Aux Malconsorts
• Aux Raignots
• Clos des Réas
• Cros Parantoux
• En Orveaux
• La Croix Rameau
• Les Beaux Monts
• Les Chaumes
• Les Gaudichots
• Les Petits Monts
• Les Rouges
• Les Suchots

Main Grape Varieties of the AOC Vosne-Romanée Appellation

The AOC Vosne-Romanée appellation produces only red wine from a single grape variety: Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir is the red grape variety inseparable from Burgundy. It is characterized by its unmatched finesse and its ability to produce exceptional red wines on certain types of terroir (also called climates) like those of the AOC Vosne-Romanée. It develops aromas of red fruits (cherry, Morello cherry, strawberry, raspberry), flowers (rose, peony), and spices, which evolve after a few years of aging in the cellar into notes of undergrowth. Pinot Noir has the ability to express itself very differently depending on the soil, climate, exposure, and domain cultivating it.

What is the Style of Vosne-Romanée Wines?

Appearance: The wine presents a fiery red color with vibrant garnet and ruby ​​reflections.

Nose: A Vosne-Romanée red wine offers aromas of ripe red and black fruits (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, blackcurrant) and spices in its youth. After a few years of aging, the aromas evolve towards notes of jam, cherry brandy, fur, leather, and undergrowth.

Palate: Although slightly austere in its youth, a Vosne-Romanée red wine reveals all its finesse, the velvety texture of its tannins, and its length on the palate after a few years in the cellar.

Serving Temperature: 15°-16°C.

Aging Potential: 5 to 15 years (or more for a good vintage in Premier Cru or Grand Cru).

Best Food and Wine Pairings with Vosne-Romanée

With its powerful tannic structure and great aromatic complexity, it is recommended to accompany a bottle from a domain in the Vosne-Romanée AOC with red meat or game. Here are some ideas for dishes to pair with a red wine from a domain in Vosne-Romanée:

• Coq au Vin
• Eggs in Meurette
• Rack of Lamb
• Beef Flank Steak with Shallot and Red Wine Sauce
• Pigeon Breast
• Cheeses (brie, Saint-Nectaire, Coulommiers)