Morey-Saint-Denis
Morey-Saint-Denis is squaring the Burgundy circle. With Clos de Tart, the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation is home to one of the most famous Grands Crus in Burgundy, if not in all of France. But the appellation has many other famous wines to offer.
The best wines from Morey-Saint-Denis
Morey-Saint-Denis is squaring the Burgundy circle. With Clos de Tart, the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation is home to one of the most famous Grands Crus in Burgundy, if not in all of France. But the appellation has many other famous wines to offer.
It is somewhat ironic that Morey-Saint-Denis is located precisely between two of the most famous appellations of the Côte de Nuits: Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny. Dijon is only 14 kilometres away. So we are right here in the epicentre of the Burgundy wonders of the Côte de Nuits, with its vineyard area of approximately 100 hectares.
Where exactly is the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation?
It is somewhat ironic that Morey-Saint-Denis is located precisely between two of the most famous appellations of the Côte de Nuits: Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny. Dijon is only 14 kilometres away. So we are right here in the epicentre of the Burgundy wonders of the Côte de Nuits. Morey-Saint-Denis has a vineyard area of approximately 100 hectares. Forty-four hectares of this are shared by the 20 Premiers Crus, which include Clos des Ormes, Monts Luisants and Les Ruchots. Another 40 hectares are allocated to the five Grands Crus Clos de Tart, Clos Saint-Denis, Clos de la Roche, Clos des Lambrays and Bonnes Mares.
Clos de Tart in particular is a real Burgundy celebrity, owned exclusively by the Mommessin family since 1932. However, the vineyard was established in 1141 by monks of the Cistercian order. They are also responsible for all the other Clos in Morey-Saint-Denis. But the Clos de Tart was the first – and remains one of the most famous Clos in the world to this day. The appellation in which it is located, however, is far less well known to wine lovers. What a delicious paradox – in the truest sense of the word!
Other Appellations
What grapes are grown in Morey-Saint-Denis?
As is customary in the Côte de Nuits, one grape variety reigns supreme in the vineyards of Morey-Saint-Denise: the red Pinot Noir. An impressive 95 per cent of the vineyard area is planted with this grape. The variety shows its versatility particularly in the crus.
Incidentally, there is a small peculiarity when it comes to white wines. While other appellations grow only Chardonnay for this purpose, Morey-Saint-Denis also has smaller Pinot Blanc plantations. But regardless of whether Chardonnay or Pinot Blanc: white wines are absolute niche products in Morey-Saint-Denis, which hardly ever leave Burgundy and are mainly enjoyed in the region.
Climate and soils in Morey-Saint-Denis
When you look at the climate in Morey-Saint-Denis, you notice something special here too. It is not only continental, but also slightly maritime. A classic transitional climate, in other words. The summers here are hotter than in the neighbouring appellations. And drier. The fact that the Pinot Noir grapes do not scorch in the summer heat is due to one factor alone: the higher altitudes, which rise up to 472 metres above sea level.
The soil is no less interesting. As you would expect in the Côte de Nuits, it is heavily influenced by limestone. However, marl and loam also play an important role, especially on the lower slopes. Above 300 metres, however, you find the typical limestone from the Jurassic period. In addition, the soils have stored a great deal of phosphate, which also affects the taste of the wines. Let's take a closer look at this.
What does a wine from Morey-Saint-Denis taste like?
Pinot Noir absorbs the characteristics of the soil on which it grows. It is a typical terroir grape. If there is a lot of phosphate in the soil, this leads to a very distinctive tannin structure. And it is precisely this grippy yet silky tannin that makes a wine from the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation so recognisable. In general, a Morey-Saint-Denis combines the power of a Gevrey-Chambertin with the elegance of a Chambolle-Musigny.
But that is where the similarities end. Depending on the location (and therefore the soil), the grapes bring very different character accents to the wines. This is particularly evident in the five Grands Crus. A Clos de Tart, for example, is very mineral and has fine leather and truffle notes even in its younger years. The Clos Saint-Denis, on the other hand, has firm tannins and delights with hints of pink pepper. The Clos de la Roche produces powerful wines that combine granite nuances with aromas of blackberries. The Clos des Lambrays, meanwhile, is characterised by a velvety texture and complex cassis notes. And the Grand Cru Bonnes Mares is easily recognisable by its mineral density.
What food goes well with wines from Morey-Saint-Denis?
Ah, there are almost no limits to your culinary imagination here. We wouldn't necessarily recommend delicate fish dishes with red wines, but just about everything else is perfect. A young Morey-Saint-Denis, in which the fruity notes are still very present, goes well with grilled poultry or lamb chops, for example. You can't go wrong with an entrecôte either.
If you would like to enjoy a mature Morey-Saint-Denis with your meal, we recommend a mushroom ragout or pasta with black truffles. The earthy nuances go perfectly with the mature notes of truffle (!), undergrowth and game. The latter is also the reason why game dishes such as saddle of venison go so well with this wine. And if you want to emphasise the umami in the wine, a slowly braised beef bourguignon is ideal.