Are you a fan of Pinot Noir? Then you have probably already tasted red wines from the beautiful AOC Pommard, a famous vineyard in the Côte de Beaune. But do you really know this appellation, its history, its terroirs, or 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.Happy 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.-C.
Although the grape varieties present at that time are not formally documented, it is assumed that varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay or even Gamay were already cultivated, probably in primitive forms.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, from the end of the 5th century, the development of Christianity favored 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 the spread of vine cultivation.
The first mention of Pommard in connection with wine dates back to the 13th century.It is indeed during this time that the first written references related to viticulture in the region appear. From this moment, Pommard becomes well established as a wine-growing village in the archives.
From the 16th and 17th centuries, the wines of the region begin to gain recognition beyond Burgundy, notably in England. It is also during this period that red wines similar to our current vintages (in terms of color) start to be produced. Until now, the reds produced were indeed clairets, wines halfway between our current rosés and reds.
In 1936, Pommard is officially recognized as an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC).This label marks 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 approximately 315 hectares of vines, exclusively planted with Pinot Noir.
Map of the Côte d'Or
Soils and climate of the Pommard AOC
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.
Some areas, such as those at the bottom of slopes, evolve on more loamy and clayey soils, giving the wines produced an accessibility from their youth. Other plots, particularly 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 a continental tendency. The cold winters and hot summers, combined with an east and southeast exposure, ensure excellent grape maturation. The cool nights at the end of the season also help preserve acidity and aromas, while balancing the tannic richness characteristic of the wines of the appellation.
Map of the terroirs of the Pommard appellation
The wines of the Pommard AOC
In the Côte de Beaune vineyard, primarily renowned for its white wines made from Chardonnay, Pommard plays the originality card with its red wines made from Pinot Noir.
Moreover, while the image of powerful and structured red wines still clings to the appellation, Pommard has a much broader horizon to offer. Indeed, while this type of wine was still very predominant in the vineyard 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 always tend towards a beautiful tannic structure and sometimes an animal side, other wines express themselves with more lightness and exude a lot of finesse. It is therefore very difficult to define a specific type of wine within the appellation!
Nevertheless, and generally speaking, young Pommard wines often emit aromas of red and black fruits (cherry, strawberry, blackcurrant, blackberry, etc.) as well as spicy notes and sometimes woody notes depending on the aging process. 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 easily kept 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 compensates for this absence with its 28 climates classified as Premier Cru. These represent over 35% of the vineyards (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 Premier Crus of Pommard easily rival those of other neighboring villages, such as Volnay or Beaune, and are distinguished by their ability to age and improve over time. Among these climates, some are particularly famous, here are some of them.
-Les Rugiens is undoubtedly the most renowned Premier Cru of Pommard. This terroir is located on a slope well exposed to the south, allowing excellent ripening of the grapes. Its wines are generally considered the most powerful and complex of the appellation and have a certain tannic structure.
-Les Épenots is also a very renowned terroir located in the commune of Pommard.Also well-exposed and renowned for its ability to produce high-quality wines, this Premier Cru has a reputation for consistency and complexity. - Les Pèzerolles is also a highly appreciated 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 smooth and elegant, while being powerful enough to earn 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 possess a silky texture as well as aromas of ripe red fruits, violet, and sometimes spicy 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 still possess a lovely freshness and offer a certain length on the palate.
We could also talk about the Premier 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 have understood, the red wines of Pommard are varied and can therefore be paired with a lovely diversity of dishes. Here are some suggestions to ensure a successful tasting and to fully savor these exceptional nectars.
With a powerful and full-bodied Pommard, red meats (grilled rib of beef, rack of lamb) and game meats (roast venison, pigeons in sauce) will be ideal.These dishes indeed pair perfectly with powerful wines with an intense structure. One can also easily imagine a partridge, wild duck, or even a beef bourguignon and other slow-cooked dishes.
With a Pommard more focused on finesse, a roasted chicken or capon will be divine pairings. The tenderness of these poultry will indeed combine beautifully with the characteristic elegance of this type of wine. With this type of bottle, some cheeses can also be a success. Think, for example, of a flavorful 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 indeed perfectly reveal the aromatic richness of your wine. Also, do not hesitate to decant your bottle if it is young !
Pair your Pommard with a venison roast: a very successful combination!
The best wines of the AOC Pommard
The AOC Pommard is home to many renowned estates. We could, for example, mention the Ballot Minot et fils estate, the Philippe Pacalet house, the Comte Armand estate, or the Chantal Lescure estate.
Nevertheless, we would like to highlight here the Domaine Decelle & Fils, which stands out particularly for its village cuvée and is one of our true 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's departure in 2020, the operation was renamed Decelle & Fils. Located near Nuits-Saint-Georges, the house now cultivates 7 hectares organically, spread across various appellations of the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits.With around twenty cuvées produced on varied terroirs, we particularly appreciated 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 mythical vineyard of the Côte de Beaune has been explored to allow you to appreciate the full richness of the delicious red wines of the appellation.
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