AOC Santenay wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

A.O.C./A.O.P.

vineyards in Santenay stretch from east to west, running alongside the Dheune river, fifteen or so kilometres from Beaune. The soils are formed of hard limestone interspersed with marl. One of the oddities here is the way in which the vines are pruned: Guyot pruning is most commonly used in Burgundy, but in Santenay it is supplanted by Royat cordon pruning because of the depth and richness of the soils; this slows down the ageing process of the vines.

Grape varieties: Vins rouges : pinot noir. Vins blancs secs : Chardonnay

The wines of this appellation

although they are only moderately concentrated, they can be firm when young, maturing towards greater depth… They display aromas of almond, strawberry, chestnut and prunes for the mature wines. They pair with grilled ribsteak, coq au vin, beef bourguignon…The whites, which are few and far between, are dry, robust and vigorous with an extremely well-developed fragrance. Climate sites classed as first growths: La Comme, Les Gravières, Clos de Tavannes, Les Gravières-Clos de Tavannes, Beauregard, Clos Faubard, Clos des Mouches, Beaurepaire, Passetemps, La Maladière, Grand Clos Rousseau, Clos Rousseau.