Vosne-Romanée
Vosne-Romanée is home of Great Burgundy icons. It is Grands Crus such as Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Richebourg and Échezeaux that fill wine lovers around the world with awe and wonder – and whose prestige places them in the wine Olympus. What they all have in common is that they are located in the Vosne-Romanée appellation.
The best wines from Vosne-Romanée
Vosne-Romanée is home of Great Burgundy icons. It is Grands Crus such as Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Richebourg and Échezeaux from Domaine de la Romanee Conti that fill wine lovers around the world with awe and wonder – and whose prestige places them in the wine Olympus. What they all have in common is that they are located in the Vosne-Romanée appellation.
Although the reputation of Vosne-Romanée is undoubtedly based on the Grands Crus, we would also like to highlight the Premiers Crus, of which there are 16, spread over 57 hectares. They form the backbone of the appellation, as they have a similar character to the grands crus, but do not cost a small to medium fortune. Here, too, differences in terroir and character can already be clearly discerned in the wines. And then there are the Vosne-Romanée Villages. Officially, these are basic wines, but as they also reflect the terroir of the appellation, you can look forward to a unique taste experience.
Where exactly is the Vosne-Romanée appellation?
It is no exaggeration to say that the Vosne-Romanée appellation is the crown jewel of Burgundy wines. The reputation of the Côte de Nuits appellation is simply unrivalled. It is hard to believe that the vineyard area stretching between the neighbouring appellations of Nuits-Saint-Georges and Vougeot covers just 156 hectares! The reason why the wines are not only known but also highly sought-after all over the world is undoubtedly due to the eight Grands Crus that are at home here. All of them are legends, mind you. And together they cover just 27 hectares.
While the two Grands Crus Romanée-Conti and La Tâche are monopole vineyards of the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, the Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair is solely owned by La Romanée. And the Domaine Lamarche also has no other owner to share La Grande Rue with. Richebourg, Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Échezeaux and Grands Échezeaux are cultivated by several wineries. The latter two Grands Crus are not only located in the Vosne-Romanée appellation, but also partly in Flagey-Échezeaux.
Other Appellations
Which grapes are grown in Vosne-Romanée?
It is well known that the Côte de Nuits is the red wine epicentre of Burgundy. Nevertheless, in addition to Pinot Noir, small plantings of white grapes can still be found in almost all appellations, especially Chardonnay. Vosne-Romanée is the exception to this rule. The 156 hectares of vineyards are planted exclusively with Pinot Noir. Chardonnay and other white grape varieties are not permitted. Phew, that is indeed quite unusual. But when you take a closer look at the climate and soil, it quickly becomes clear why Pinot Noir is the big star in Vosne-Romanée.
Climate and soil in Vosne-Romanée
The climate comes before the soil, because although it may not be quite as important for the wine style of Vosne-Romanée, it forms the basis for viticulture as a whole. The climate here is temperate continental with warm summers and cold winters and average rainfall. The vineyards face east or south, ensuring optimal sunlight. This is very important for Pinot Noir, as it allows the grapes to ripen evenly and completely. It also protects the sensitive vines from late frosts to a certain extent.
However, it is the soils that give Pinot Noir its distinctive style. The terroir in Vosne-Romanée is characterised by a unique mixture of limestone, marl and clay. The best plots are located on the middle slopes, where the soil is particularly stony and calcareous, with a depth of ten centimetres to one metre. These soils offer excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture for the vines. This is exactly where Pinot Noir feels at home and reaches true greatness. The minerality of the soil is also reflected later in the complexity and elegance of the wines. Which brings us seamlessly to the next point.
What does a wine from Vosne-Romanée taste like?
In general, wines from Vosne-Romanée are considered the epitome of Burgundian elegance and depth. They combine power, finesse and aromatic complexity. However, this varies greatly from cru to cru, as Pinot Noir is a true terroir grape that seems to absorb the character of a site. This is precisely why it is so difficult to categorise them all in terms of enjoyment. But of course, there are certain similarities.
Compared to other appellations in the Côte de Nuits, such as Gevrey-Chambertin or Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée wines are characterised by a special balance between structure, silky tannins and an almost ethereal fruitiness. A typical Vosne-Romanée presents itself in the glass with a bright, garnet to ruby red colour. The nose reveals a complex bouquet dominated by ripe red and black fruits, accompanied by delicate spice notes and a subtle minerality. On the palate, the wines are concentrated but never overloaded, with a perfect balance between fruit, acidity and tannins.
With age, the wines develop additional aromas of game, leather, truffle and undergrowth, which make the taste experience even more complex. The great strength of Vosne-Romanée wines is their ability to combine power and finesse, intensity and elegance. The crus in particular are extremely age-worthy and can mature wonderfully. They are made to last for a small eternity.
What food goes well with wines from Vosne-Romanée?
We are never at a loss for culinary accompaniments to great wines. But between us: if you ever have the opportunity to taste a Romanée-Conti, La Tâche or Échezeaux, please enjoy these legendary wines on their own. The same applies to the other Grands Crus and most of the Premiers Crus. These wines are so characterful, complex, unique and, above all, rare – they deserve your undivided attention. After all, it's not every day you get to drink wines like these. It's worth making a conscious effort to create memorable experiences.
Nevertheless, there are of course suitable dishes. Sweetbreads, for example. Or duck breast or pigeon. Yes, even saddle of venison can be a real treat with wines from Vosne-Romanée. Especially if you serve it with a fine sauce based on porcini mushrooms or truffles. If you would like to enjoy a mature Vosne-Romanée with your meal, why not try some sautéed chanterelle mushrooms? A poem for the palate! Treat yourself to unique moments with wines from Vosne-Romanée and discover these legendary wines at Best of Wines!
