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Bourgogne Cotes d'Auxerre is the title given to the Bourgogne AOC wines produced in seven communes immediately south-east of the town of Auxerre, in the far north of Burgundy.
Auxerre is just a short distance west of Chablis and is quite removed from the core of Burgundy's wine-growing area in Beaune, 80 miles (130km) to the south-east. The communes covered by the appellation are: Augy, Saint-Bris, Auxerre, Vaux, Champs-sur-Yonne, Quenne and Vincelottes. Saint-Bris also has its own specific Saint-Bris appellation for its red wines.
Bourgogne Cotes d'Auxerre wines can either be red, white or rose and are produced from Burgundy's key grape varieties. The reds are made from Pinot Noir, the roses from Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, and the whites from Chardonnay.
The grapes are grown on the limestone-rich soils for which the Chablis area is famous. The vineyards are planted on rolling hills around the seven villages, at varying altitudes of 600 to 1000ft (180–305m). The continental climate here contributes to the fresh, steely style of the white wines in particular.
