Are you a Pinot Noir enthusiast? Then you have probably already tasted red wines from the beautiful AOC Pommard, the famous vineyard of the Côte de Beaune. But do you really know this appellation, its history, its terroirs, or even its Premiers Crus? Do you know how to ideally pair its wines in the kitchen?
Here, we offer you an overview of this iconic Burgundy appellation. Enjoy your discovery!
Summary
History of the Pommard Appellation
Viticulture in Burgundy and Pommard dates back to Antiquity, a period during which the Romans introduced vine cultivation during the 1st century BC.
Although the grape varieties present at that time are not formally documented, it is assumed that varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gamay were already being cultivated, probably in primitive forms.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, from the end of the 5th century, the development of Christianity encouraged the expansion of viticulture in Burgundy. Thus, the monks, notably those from the Abbey of Cluny, and later from Cîteaux, played a major role in spreading vine cultivation.
The first mention of Pommard in connection with wine dates back to the 13th century. It was during this period that the first written references related to viticulture in the region appeared. From that moment, Pommard became well established as a winegrowing village in the records.
From the 16th and 17th centuries, the wines of the region began to gain recognition beyond Burgundy, notably in England. It was also during this period that red wines similar to our current crus (in terms of color) began to be produced. Until then, the reds produced were actually clairets, wines halfway between our current rosés and reds.
In 1936, Pommard was officially recognized as an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC). This label marked a decisive turning point in the history of the vineyard, affirming its place among the most prestigious terroirs in France.
Today, Pommard is one of the most renowned appellations in Burgundy and covers about 315 hectares of vines, exclusively planted with Pinot Noir.
Map of the Côte d'Or
Soils and Climate of AOC Pommard
Located a few kilometers southwest of the city of Beaune, the Pommard vineyard features a complex terroir. Indeed, while the soils of the appellation are mainly clay-limestone, many nuances exist.
Certain parts, such as those at the bottom of the slopes, for example, develop on more silty and clayey terroirs, giving the wines produced an accessibility from their youth. Other plots, especially the higher slopes, have more stony and gravelly soils, ensuring excellent drainage and producing more mineral and elegant wines.
Pommard also benefits from a temperate climate with continental tendencies. The cold winters and hot summers, combined with an east and southeast exposure, ensure excellent ripening of the grapes. The cool nights at the end of the season also help preserve acidity and aromas, while balancing the tannic richness characteristic of the appellation's wines.
Map of the terroirs of the Pommard appellation
The Wines of AOC Pommard
In the Côte de Beaune vineyard, mainly renowned for its white wines from Chardonnay, Pommard stands out with its red wines made from Pinot Noir.
Moreover, while the image of powerful and structured red wines still clings to the appellation, Pommard actually has a much broader horizon to offer. Indeed, while this type of wine was still very much in the majority in the vineyard just a few decades ago, recent years have changed the game and winemakers now produce wines more in tune with the diversity of local terroirs.
Thus, while some cuvées still tend towards a beautiful tannic structure and sometimes an animal character, other wines are more delicate and exude a lot of finesse. It is therefore very difficult to define a precise type of wine within the appellation!
Nevertheless, and generally speaking, young Pommard wines often display aromas of red and black fruits (cherry, strawberry, blackcurrant, blackberry, etc.) as well as spicy notes and sometimes woody notes depending on the aging. As they age, local wines also develop aromas of leather, undergrowth, and truffle, as well as notes of coffee and chocolate.
Most Pommard wines can be kept easily for 8 to 10 years while the greatest terroirs (notably some Premiers Crus) can improve for several decades in the cellar.
Pinot Noir: the soul of Pommard wines
The Premiers Crus of the Pommard Appellation
Although it does not have any Grand Cru within its boundaries, Pommard more than makes up for this absence with its 28 classified climates as Premier Cru. These represent more than 35% of the vines (117.75 hectares) and produce some of the most sought-after wines in Burgundy. These terroirs indeed offer red wines of great depth and remarkable complexity.
The Premiers Crus of Pommard thus easily rival those of other neighboring villages, such as Volnay or Beaune, and stand out for their ability to age and improve over time. Among these climates, some are particularly famous; here are a few.
-Les Rugiens is undoubtedly the most renowned Premier Cru of Pommard. This terroir is located on a well-exposed south-facing slope, allowing excellent ripening of the grapes. Its wines are generally considered the most powerful and complex of the appellation and have a definite tannic structure.
-Les Épenots is also a very renowned terroir located in the commune of Pommard. Also well exposed and known for its ability to produce high-quality wines, this Premier Cru has a reputation for consistency and complexity.
-Les Pèzerolles is also a highly regarded Premier Cru. It is located on gentle slopes and also benefits from excellent exposure. The wines from Les Pèzerolles are known for their richness, complexity and elegance. They are supple and elegant, while being powerful enough to deserve their place among the Premiers Crus of Pommard.
-Les Arvelets is a Premier Cru less known than Les Rugiens or Les Épenots, but it also produces wines of high quality. The Pinot Noirs here are elegant and have a silky texture as well as ripe red fruit aromas, violet, and sometimes spicy notes and mineral notes. This terroir produces harmonious wines that can develop over time while remaining accessible in their youth.
-Les Chaponnières is a little-known Premier Cru offering fine, elegant, and well-structured wines. The wines from this Premier Cru climate are often lighter and more supple but nevertheless have a beautiful freshness and offer a certain length on the palate.
We could also mention the Premiers Crus "Les Combes Dessus", "Les Fremiers", "Les Perrières" or even "Les Boucherottes", but we would need several pages if we were to detail each of them!
What to eat with a wine from the Pommard appellation?
As you will have understood, the red wines of Pommard are varied and can therefore be paired with a wide variety of dishes. Here are some suggestions to ensure a successful tasting and fully enjoy these exceptional nectars.
With a powerful and robust Pommard, red meats (grilled rib of beef, rack of lamb) and game (roast venison, pigeon in sauce) will be ideal. These dishes are indeed a perfect match for powerful wines with intense structure. You can also easily imagine partridge, wild duck, or even beef bourguignon and other slow-cooked dishes.
With a Pommard more focused on finesse, roast chicken or capon will be divine pairings. The tenderness of these poultry will combine beautifully with the characteristic elegance of this type of wine. With this type of bottle, certain cheeses can also be a success. For example, think of a tasty Saint-Nectaire, Époisses, or even a delicious aged Comté! Tempting, isn't it?
Finally, to enjoy a Pommard at its best, we recommend serving it between 14°C and 16°C. This temperature will perfectly reveal the aromatic richness of your wine. Also, do not hesitate to decant your bottle if it is still young !
Pair your Pommard with roast venison: a very successful combination!
The best wines of AOC Pommard
The AOC Pommard is home to many renowned estates. For example, we could mention Domaine Ballot Minot et Fils, Maison Philippe Pacalet, Domaine du Comte Armand, or Domaine Chantal Lescure.
However, we would like to shine a spotlight on Domaine Decelle & Fils, which stands out particularly for its village cuvée and is one of our real favorites !
Founded in 2009 by Olivier Decelle and Pierre-Jean Villa (a renowned winemaker from the northern Rhône Valley), the estate was initially known as Decelle-Villa. After Pierre-Jean Villa left in 2020, the business was renamed Decelle & Fils. Located near Nuits-Saint-Georges, the estate now cultivates 7 hectares organically, spread over various appellations of the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. With around twenty cuvées produced on varied terroirs, we particularly enjoyed their Pommard, juicy, spicy, and full of mastery !
There you have it, you now know almost everything about the Pommard appellation! From its fascinating history to its wines of exceptional quality, every aspect of this legendary Côte de Beaune vineyard has been explored to help you appreciate all the richness of the delicious red wines of the appellation.
If you would like to further deepen your knowledge or find the perfect wine to taste, feel free to browse our website La Cave Éclairée ! See you soon !
