Burgundy wine region: Côte de Beaune Meursault is probably the most known appellation for white wines in Burgundy. It lies about eight kilometers south of Beaune and is the third largest commune in the Côte-d'Or département. Nearly all of the appellation's wines are white. Only 11 of the 394 hectares are red. AOC regulations allow for both Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc to be used, but most white wines are made with 100% Chardonnay.
Meursault Premier Crus Meursault has 29 premier crus but no grand crus. The AOC's vineyards are divided in two parts, split by the attractive, white-stoned village of Meursault that lies in between. Bordering Volnay and Monthélie to the northeast are the premier crus Les Santenots and Les Cras. Les Santenots, while within the Meursault borders, can be released as Volnay Santenots if made with Pinot Noir or as Premier Cru Santenots if made with Chardonnay.
Southwest from the town of Meursault, a large area of village vines and premier crus stretch all the way to the border of Puligny-Montrachet. It is here that you find some of Meursault's most recognizable premier crus:
Les Genevrières Les Perrières Les Charmes Les Goutte d'Or Les Bouchères Le Porusot Blangy, a hamlet straddling the Meursault/Puligny border, has regulations similar to those of Volnay-Santenots. Wines made with Pinot Noir are released as Blagny, but those with Chardonnay hit the market as Meursault-Blagny.
Meursault Geography & Production The top sites in Meursault are at 260-270 meters altitude — usually with eastern and southern exposures. These soils are Jurassic marls and marl-based limestone, although there are also some patches of magnesian-limestone to be found. Ancient Callovien limestone and Argovien marl often dissect the premier crus.
Permitted yields are: 40 hectoliters per hectare for red wine. 45 hectoliter per hectare for white wine. The grapes must reach a maturity of at least:
10.5% alcohol for village-level red wine. 11.0 per cent for village-level white wine and premier cru red wine. 11.5 per cent for premier cru white wine.
Meursault Wine Tasting Notes Meursault is sexy, creamy Chardonnay that has a rich texture, bright acidity and attractive underlying minerality. Tasters may find floral notes that include mayflower, elderflower, bracken fern, lime, verbena, as well as honey, butter and citrus fruit. With age the fruit becomes exotic, and underlying aromas of toasted almonds and hazelnuts surface.
Meursault Food Match The wine's unctuous texture and bright acidity allow it to match many foods without overpowering them. Fish, veal or poultry are common matches, while lobster, crab and king prawns are also suitable partners.