Why is Puligny-Montrachet so renowned ? Why are its wines so appreciated ? What should you pair them with for an unforgettable experience? Discover all the answers to these questions in our article.
Happy reading !
Summary
History and Origins of the AOC Puligny-Montrachet
The development of viticulture in Burgundy truly began in the 1st century BC with the Roman conquest of Gaul.The Romans indeed quickly identified the viticultural potential of the region thanks to its limestone soils and suitable climate.
The Roman soldiers therefore brought with them viticulture techniques and grape varieties from Italy, while adapting their expertise to local specifics. The establishment of vineyards was gradual and initially aimed at meeting local needs.
Then, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the Cistercian and Benedictine monks gradually took over the Burgundian vineyards. During the Middle Ages, the abbeys indeed had a great influence on the development of the vine, and their monks contributed to the identification of the best terroirs.
In 1094, the Abbey of Cluny also mentions the village of Puligny in its archives, and from 1184, it is confirmed that the Cistercian monks of Maizières already owned vineyards there. The wine of Montrachet is mentioned for the first time in 1252 under the name " Mont Rachaz ".
Between the 15th and 17th centuries, the region of Puligny-Montrachet continued to gain prestige. The Montrachet estate was already recognized for the exceptional quality of its white wines, and demand was growing. In the 16th century, the Dukes of Burgundy and other nobles also owned numerous vineyards in the region, contributing to the fame of Puligny and Montrachet.
In 1879, the communes of Puligny and Chassagne officially added "Montrachet" to their name, thus highlighting the growing importance of this hill and its vineyards on the wine scene.
However, this period is also marked by the phylloxera crisis. This insect, similar to an aphid and attacking the roots of the vine, destroyed a large part of the European vineyard. Although the vines of Puligny-Montrachet did not escape its ravages, the vineyard was gradually rebuilt over the following decades thanks to the strength and passion of the local winemakers.
Finally, Puligny-Montrachet obtained its official recognition as an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in 1937, thus clearly delineating the different vineyard plots in the commune.
Today, the AOC Puligny-Montrachet is an absolute international reference and produces some of the greatest white wines in the world. The vineyard here covers 205 hectares exclusively dedicated to Chardonnay.
The appellation also includes 17 Premier Cru climats, which cover 96 hectares, or 47% of the vineyard. The most well-known among them are probably Les Pucelles, Les Perrières, Les Folatières, and Les Demoiselles.
Finally, the highlight of the show, the commune of Puligny-Montrachet also boasts 5 illustrious Grands Crus: Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet, Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet, and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet, covering a little over 31 hectares. Map of the famous Côte de Beaune with Puligny-Montrachet to the southeast Climate and soils of Puligny-Montrachet The vineyard of Puligny-Montrachet extends to the south of the Côte de Beaune, between 230m and 320m in altitude, and is oriented southeast, giving it an ideal exposure. Here, the soils are limestone and clay-limestone.Puligny-Montrachet is also characterized by a continental climate with moderate influences. Rainfall is frequent throughout the year, with a peak in autumn and a dip in summer. Winters are cold, sometimes snowy, while summers can be hot and occasionally accompanied by severe thunderstorms.
This type of climate, combined with the soil typology and topography, makes Puligny-Montrachet one of the most prestigious appellations in the world. Thanks to all these factors, the maturation of Chardonnay here is slow and gives rise to wines of great elegance, rich in minerality.
Map of the Puligny-Montrachet Vineyard
The Wines of Puligny-Montrachet
As you may have understood, the wines of the Puligny-Montrachet appellation are exclusively white wines. There are also a few rare Pinot Noir vines in the commune, but the wines from these cannot bear the Puligny-Montrachet appellation and are generally sold under the Côte de Beaune-Villages appellation. Therefore, we will focus here solely on the white wines !
Made from the Chardonnay grape variety, these wines first catch the eye with their golden hue with slightly green reflections.
Their aromatic palette is rich and very noble, distinguished, among other things, by notes of citrus, green apple, peach, or even white flowers. A pervasive minerality is also present during tasting. Most of the wines here are aged in oak barrels. This aging method naturally contributes to the complexity of the wines by imparting notes of vanilla, hazelnut, or even almond.
The acidity is generally well-present and structuring in Puligny-Montrachet wines, while the alcohol level is medium.
In general, a wine with the village AOC "Puligny-Montrachet" can be stored for between 5 and 10 years, depending on the vintage and its intrinsic quality.Nevertheless, the Premiers Crus as well as the Grands Crus of the commune display a superb aging potential, starting at 10 years and can extend to several decades.
The Chardonnay: exclusive grape variety of the wines of the AOC Puligny-Montrachet
What to eat with a white wine from Puligny-Montrachet ?
The mineral white wines of Puligny-Montrachet, whether they come from the village appellation, the Premiers Crus, or the Grands Crus, are very versatile wines for gastronomic pairings.Here are some suggestions to make your mouth water !
With a Puligny "village"
Opt here for grilled fish (cod, sea bream, sea bass) with a lovely lemon butter sauce... a delight !
Seafood are also excellent companions, as well as fresh goat cheese.
With a Puligny Premier Cru
Having a bit more substance, try scallops with cream or a fattier fish, like salmon.
A Bresse poultry or a mushroom risotto will also be great successes.
Finally, if you are a cheese fan, try pairing with a young Comté or a Beaufort !
Scallops with cream and Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru: a delight!
With a Grand Cru from Puligny-Montrachet
Being rare wines with immense aromatic richness, the Grand Crus from the commune of Puligny-Montrachet should be paired with carefully prepared dishes to enhance the moment.
Thus, a Thermidor lobster, with its sweet and tender flesh, will resonate superbly with the dried fruit notes of your Grand Cru.
A pan-seared foie gras, with a white wine reduction will also be a spectacular pairing.
Finally, a white truffle risotto or well-aged cheeses like an aged parmesan or Swiss gruyere will also be a hit.
Is your mouth watering ? Ours too ! But be careful, ensure that the serving temperature of these wines is adequate, that is, between 11-13°C to maintain their balance.
The best wines of the AOC Puligny-Montrachet
Among the most emblematic properties of the AOC Puligny-Montrachet, the Alain Chavy estate stands out for the finesse and elegance of its wines.
The vineyard's cuvées indeed perfectly reflect the typicity of the clay-limestone terroirs of the appellation and boast admirable aromatic complexity.
Tasting a Puligny-Montrachet by Alain Chavy is to savor a wine of rare elegance, capable of enhancing refined dishes, and leaving an unforgettable impression in tasting.We highly recommend their entire range !
You now know more about the AOC Puligny-Montrachet, one of the most prestigious vineyards in Burgundy. If you are looking for the best wines from this region, feel free to explore our selection on
