Gevrey-Chambertin
Gevrey-Chambertin, also known as Pinot Noir de Luxe. Even Napoleon Bonaparte counted the red wines from Gevrey-Chambertin among his favourites. No wonder.... The appellation is still considered the ultimate when it comes to Pinot Noir.
The best wines from Gevrey-Chambertin
Gevrey-Chambertin, also known as Pinot Noir de Luxe. Even Napoleon Bonaparte counted the red wines from Gevrey-Chambertin among his favourites. No wonder, with famous wine domaines like Armand Rousseau, Laurent Ponsot and Dugat-Py .... The appellation is still considered the ultimate when it comes to Pinot Noir.
Gevrey-Chambertin is loacted in the northern part of the Côte de Nuits. Around 15 kilometres from Dijon, the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation borders Fixin to the north and Morey-Saint-Denis to the south.
The Gauls planted the first vines here in the 1st century. However, viticulture did not really take off until the Middle Ages.
Where exactly is the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation?
Welcome to the northern part of the Côte de Nuits! Around 15 kilometres from Dijon, the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation borders Fixin to the north and Morey-Saint-Denis to the south. The Gauls planted the first vines here in the 1st century. However, viticulture did not really take off until the Middle Ages. At that time, Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Cluny planted the first vineyards, creating the vineyard structure that we still know today.
But something truly special happened in the mid-19th century. In 1847, King Louis-Philippe I allowed the municipality of Gevrey-en-Montagne to add the name of its most famous vineyard, Chambertin, to its name. This is how Gevrey-Chambertin came into being – a novelty in Burgundy and a model for other famous municipalities such as Chassagne-Montrachet and Chambolle-Musigny.
As an appellation, Gevrey-Chambertin is home to 26 Premiers Crus and nine Grands Crus, which together make up about half of the 500 hectares of vineyards. The 26 Premier Cru vineyards form the backbone of the appellation. Unlike the Grands Crus, which are exclusively east-facing, there are also plots with a slight south-eastern slope, which produce earlier-ripening, more accessible wines.
Other Appellations
Which grapes are grown in Gevrey-Chambertin?
Gevrey-Chambertin is primarily associated with one grape variety: Pinot Noir. And there is a reason for this. It is the only grape permitted for classified crus. Here and there, you may find a few rows of Chardonnay vines, but not in the Premiers and certainly not in the Grands Crus. This grape was ruthlessly ignored in the 1936 classification.
That's why winemakers use their Chardonnay grapes exclusively for a generic Bourgogne Blanc – and even these wines account for only one per cent of total production. The rest is Pinot Noir. Why is this grape variety so dominant in Gevrey-Chambertin? The reason lies in the soil!
Climate and soils in Gevrey-Chambertin
No one could sum up the effect of the soil on the wines better than journalist and politician Jean-François Bazin: ‘A Gevrey-Chambertin carries the fire of the Côte de Nuits within it, tamed by the elegance of the limestone.’ It is precisely this limestone that dominates throughout the appellation. However, there are subtle differences with a very significant effect. The slopes are dominated by oolitic limestone from the Jurassic period, interspersed with iron-rich marl and fossil deposits. In the Grands Crus, on the other hand, you will find deep, well-drained limestone soils with a high stone content. And in the Premiers Crus, clayey substrates often characterise the wine style, which is particularly juicy and fruity.
And yes, the soils here really do determine the style – the continental climate merely supports it. However, there are two other factors that are important for winegrowing in Gevrey-Chambertin. Firstly, there are the cool night winds from the Morvan mountains, which are a real blessing for the vines, especially after hot summer days. Secondly, the Combe Lavaux side valley protects the crus from harsh westerly winds.
What does a wine from Gevrey-Chambertin taste like?
Depending on the soil and location, wines from Gevrey-Chambertin can have very different characteristics. Fortunately, however, there are a few common characteristics that can be found in almost all of the wines. Not only red berry notes are prominent here, but black berry notes as well. In addition to cherry and strawberry, blackberry and blackcurrant can also be found. Spicy hints and mineral accents are also typical of a Gevrey-Chambertin.
On the palate, the wines are powerful yet elegant, with velvety tannins, fresh acidity and a long finish. However, the mouthfeel can vary from silky to meaty and is therefore very individual. With additional bottle ageing (some wines can age for a small eternity), the wines become increasingly complex and deeper. Hints of game, undergrowth and mushrooms also come to the fore.
What food goes well with wines from Gevrey-Chambertin?
Honestly? If you are lucky enough to try a mature Grand Cru from Gevrey-Chambertin, please enjoy it on its own. Such wines are a great experience for all the senses – food would only distract from them. However, this does not change the fact that younger wines go particularly well with dishes that have a lot of umami. A 24-month-old Comté, for example, is a real treat with these wines, as is saddle of venison with cranberry jus. Wines from the Premiers Crus are particularly impressive here. With a Grand Cru, on the other hand, we would serve a beef bourguignon that has been braised for at least seven hours.