The Cote Chalonnaise is a wine-producing region in the Saone-et-Loire department of Burgundy, eastern France. It is made up of five key communes, separated from one another by only a few miles. From north to south, these are: Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey, Givry and Montagny.
The Chalonnaise, as it is often called, is located between the Cote de Beaune to the north and the Maconnais, just to the south. There is a clear division between these two areas, conveniently marked by the boundary between the Cote d'Or and Saone-et-Loire administrative departments. While Beaune is planted firmly along the limestone escarpment of the central Cote d'Or, the vineyards of the Chalonnaise are more scattered – having been situated to maximise the limestone soils that characterize the local terroir. Temperatures here are not noticeably warmer than elsewhere, but the hilly topography does lead to slightly lower levels of rainfall. The climate is continental, with relatively cold winters and warm, dry summers creating good ripening conditions in local vineyards.
(© BIVB / Gaudillere T.)
As is the case across Burgundy, the presence of limestone in the Chalonnaise is vital. The increased minerality it creates in the wines is highly valued and the best vineyard plots are often those with a high content of limestone in their soils. Soil types go hand in hand with topography, and the south-facing slopes that overlook each of the Cote Chalonnaise communes are the prime contenders for Premier Cru status. This is particularly obvious in Givry, where the most prized vineyards are dotted around south- and south-east-facing slopes surrounding a quarry.
The two key grape varieties grown in the Cote Chalonnaise are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, although Gamay and various other red and white mutations of the Pinot family are planted in smaller quantities.
As in the Maconnais, there are no Grand Cru vineyards within the Chalonnaise, although four of the five communes have a number of sites rated Premier Cru. Oddly (given that it is the closest village to the Cote d'Or), Bouzeron is the only commune with none.
The regional Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise appellation is applicable to all areas of the Chalonnaise and provides entry-level wines to complement the communal titles and their Premier Crus.
