Burgundy, the land of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, is one of the world’s greatest wine regions. The diversity of the soil types is unlike any other region’s soil and gives the wines their well-known complexity. In Burgundy, the wines are classified according to location and not vineyard. The four classifications are Grand Cru, Premier Cru, Village Wines and Regional Wines.
The Burgundy classification
In the same year Bordeaux introduced the world famous Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, Lavalle published his ‘Plan Topographique of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or’. The map not only listed every vineyard from Santeny to Dijon but also their classification: Tête de Cuvée, Première, Deuxième or Troisième Cuvée.
In 1861 Lavalle's classification was formalized by the Beaune Committee of Agriculture and consisted of three classes. The map was also the basis for the appellation contrôlée system, which was introduced in 1936.
Five unique regions
Burgundy has five wine growing regions. From north to south you have Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais. Chablis is known for its white wines, while you will find mainly red wines in Côte de Nuits. The vineyards in Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise produce both white and red wines while Mâconnais produces mainly white wines.
One much-beloved commune in France is Aloxe-Corton, which lies in Côte de Beaune. The appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) may be used for both white and red wines, with main grape Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. The price of an Aloxe-Corton wine depends on the reputation of the producer and the vintage.
The terroir of Aloxe-Corton
Aloxe-Corton is located north in Côte de Beaune, France. It is the perfect wine-growing location with its reddish brown soil full of flint and limestone. It’s also rich in potassium and phosphoric acid. The wines from the northern end are tender and fruity, while those from the southern end are firmer and more complex. They say the red wines of Corton combine the muscularity of the Côte de Nuits with the elegance of the Côte de Beaune. And it’s true! They are elegant and rich in tannins, which make them perfect for ageing.
Aloxe-Corton in France is 100 hectares large and counts 22 different plots. One of those plots is a piece of land given by Charlemagne to the Abbey of Saulieu in 775. According to the legend, his wife didn’t like his beard being stained by red wine and demanded to plant white grapes instead. True or not, Corton-Charlemagne produces one of the best white wines in Burgundy.
The wines of Aloxe-Corton
Aloxe-Corton is the home of the world-famous Grand Cru wines: Corton the king of the red grand crus and Corton-Charlemagne the queen of the white grand crus. The red Grand Cru wines of the Côte de Beaune region must have an alcohol level between 10.5% and 13.5%. The alcohol level of the white Grand Cru wines lies between 11% and 14%.
The region also counts 8 Premier Cru wines, all of them red wines: Les Valozières, Les Paulands, Les Maréchaudes, Les Chaillots, Les Fournières, Clos du Chapître, Les Guérets and Les Vercots. The red Premier Cru wines of the Côte de Beaune region must have an alcohol level between 11% and 14%. The alcohol level of the white Premier Cru wines lies between 11.5% and 14.5%.
The price of an Aloxe-Corton wine is much higher than your average table wine but you will immediately taste why. They are the perfect gem to add to your wine cellar.
A fine selection of Aloxe-Corton châteaux
Barton & Guestier
What does an Irishman do when he is in France? In the 18th century, he founded a winemaking company. Thomas Barton founded Barton & Guestier in 1725 and today almost three centuries later they produce AOC wines in Bordeaux, Loire, Beaujolais, Rhône, Provence and of course Burgundy. Discover the wines of Domaine Barton & Guestier in our online shop.
Camille Giroud
When Camille Giroud in 1865 marries Miss Deschamps he also takes over a small family-owned wine trade firm of her family. For decades he only buys finished wines to age in his wine cellar. But after World War II many growers start producing and selling their wines without the assistance of merchants. At the beginning of the nineties, great-grand-children Bernard and François decide to break away from family tradition and start purchasing plots of vines. Today the company is no longer in the hands of the family Giraud. However, the wines of this Aloxe-Corton château are wanted world-wide because of their exquisite taste. Discover the wines of Domaine Camille Giroud in our online shop.
Capitain-Gagnerot
The Domaine Gagnerot was established in 1802 by Jean-Baptiste Gagnerot. When in 1864 his son-in-law François Capitain joins the company they change the name to Domaine Capitain-Gagnerot. They produce fresh wines that express the rich terroir and have a certain elegance. Discover the wines of Domaine Capitain-Gagnerot in our online shop.
Jaboulet-Vercherre
This well-established château in Aloxe-Corton has over 150 years of experience. The roots of the company originate in 1834 in the Rhône Valley when Antoine Jaboulet founded the Jaboulet wine company. His two sons inherited the company but decided to divide the company as brother Henry wanted to focus on Burgundy wines. He added the last name of his wife ‘Vercherre’ to the company’s name, which is still known as Jaboulet-Vercherre. Discover the wines of Domaine Jaboulet-Vercherre in our online shop.
Joël Remy
Domaine Joël Remy was founded in 1853 and is now run by the fifth generation. They produce both white and red wines with respect for traditional practices. Discover the wines of Domaine Joël Remy in our online shop.
Maillard
Daniel Maillard established Domaine Maillard in 1952 but his family had been cultivating vines since 1766. Today his sons follow in his footsteps. The wines of Domaine Maillard are juicy and fruity and have a mineral complexity. Discover the wines of Domaine Maillard in our online shop.
Other Aloxe-Corton châteaux in our collection are Audiffred, Barriere, Charles Mauger, Château de la Chaume, Follin-Arbelet, Marvel MB, Masson, Nudant and Quinson.
The taste of Aloxe-Corton wine at home
Do you want to upgrade your wine collection with the finest wines from Burgundy? Belgium Wine Watchers only sells the best wines from Aloxe-Corton at a fair price, like this Aloxe Corton 2012 from Les Valozieres. Discover our selection of Aloxe-Corton wines in our online shop.
