Chassagne-Montrachet

Grapes and style

Chassagne-Montrachet is one of the few Burgundian villages where both chardonnay and pinot noir play a major role. The white wines are richer and fuller than those of the neighbouring village of Puligny, with notes of hazelnut, ripe fruit and a light buttery touch. They have a firm structure and a powerful finish.

The red wines are spicy and sturdy, with red and dark fruit and a somewhat more rustic tannin than the wines of Volnay. They are less common than the whites, but certainly deserve attention.

Vineyard and soil

The village lies against the southern edge of the Côte de Beaune, just below Puligny-Montrachet. Part of the Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet vineyards falls within the commune boundary, as does the smaller Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet. There is also an extensive number of Premiers Crus.

In general, chalky soil with plenty of stones gives white wine, while heavier clay soil suits pinot noir better. Examples of names you will come across on labels are Les Ruchottes, Les Caillerets and Morgeot. Morgeot is large and diverse; white and red are found side by side there.

Classification and rules

Chassagne-Montrachet has Grands Crus, Premiers Crus and village wines in a single village. The Grands Crus have their own appellations: Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet. Wines from Premiers Crus may put the name of the vineyard on the label, alongside the words Premier Cru.

It makes a difference whether you buy a white or a red from a particular vineyard: the name does not always tell you which colour it is. If in doubt, read the label or the product description. See also Montrachet.

Ageing and serving

White Chassagne-Montrachet from a good producer can be kept for a long time and becomes deeper and more complex with the years. Be restrained about opening it too young: the oak or the youthful acidity will still dominate. Red examples often mature faster than the whites.

Do not serve white too cold, at around 11 to 13 °C, and give it some time in the glass. It pairs well with lobster, scallops, poultry in cream sauce and hard cheeses. The red wine pairs well with poultry, veal and mushrooms.

Producers in our range

These producers feature in our Chassagne-Montrachet range: JC Ramonet, Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey, Paul Pillot, Fontaine-Gagnard, Bernard Moreau, Fernand & Laurent Pillot, Henri Clerc and Prieur-Brunet.

Vineyards on the label

Names on the labels in our range include Les Ruchottes, Morgeot, La Boudriotte, Les Caillerets, Les Vergers, Clos Saint-Jean, Les Baudines, Les Chenevottes, La Grande Montagne and La Romanée, in both red and white.

More from the Côte de Beaune

You will find more wines from the Côte de Beaune under Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, Santenay, Hautes Côtes de Beaune, Montrachet and Pommard.