Welcome to Burgundy, a wine-growing region where every drop of wine tells us a story! Located in the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise, Mercurey is part of the magnificent wine heritage of the region and is well known to lovers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
So, whether you are passionate or simply curious, follow us in this article to explore the secrets of this mythical appellation. Grape varieties, terroirs, climate, food and wine pairings, and Premier Crus , you will know everything about Mercurey after this reading!
Summary
The history of the AOC Mercurey
Viticulture in Mercurey finds its roots in Antiquity, starting from the 1st century AD, a period when the Romans introduced the vine in Gaul.The name of the appellation would indeed refer to Mercury, the Roman god of commerce and travelers. According to legend, a temple dedicated to Mercury might have even existed on the territory of the current commune!
While the Romans played a key role in structuring the vineyards and mastering winemaking techniques, it was nevertheless during the Middle Ages that Mercurey truly took off viticulturally thanks to the Benedictine and Cistercianmonks. These monks indeed played a central role in land management and the improvement of viticultural practices in Burgundy. During this period, Mercurey wines also began to gain recognition in the region and were traded within a limited commercial framework.
Then, from the 17th to the 18th century , the wines of Mercurey gained in notoriety, notably due to their proximity to important markets like Chalon-sur-Saône and Dijon. The region became more structured, and the winemakers refined their expertise.
The end of the 19th century was, however, darker for the appellation as well as for European viticulture. The phylloxera crisis (an aphid attacking the roots of the vine) indeed severely affected the vineyards of Mercurey starting from the 1870s. The reconstruction of the vineyards was long and required considerable efforts. Nevertheless, thanks to the perseverance of the winemakers and the solution of American rootstocks, the vineyard of Mercurey was partially reconstructed by the beginning of the 20th century.
The modern history of Mercurey, on the other hand, began in 1936, the year its Appellation d'Origine Contrôléewas established. Today, Mercurey covers approximately 650 hectares. The vineyard also includes 32 climates classified as Premier Cru, representing 25% of the AOC's area and reflecting the magnificent richness of the local terroirs.
Map of the Côte Chalonnaise, in the southern part of the Burgundy vineyard
Climate and soils of the Mercurey appellation
Located a few kilometers northwest of Chalon-sur-Saône, the commune of Mercurey is crossed by the river "Le Giroux" and forms two slopes (north and south) as well as several small valleys.This geographical configuration creates a great diversity of soils.
Thus, although the whole can be roughly summarized as " clay-limestone terroir ", if one wishes to be more precise, several geological formations stand out.
- Middle Jurassic limestones: Mercurey rests on a limestone subsoil dating mainly from the Middle Jurassic (about 170 million years ago). This type of soil offers excellent drainage and promotes the growth of the vine as well as the concentration of its grapes.
- Clay-limestone marls: these soils are rich in clay and limestone, differential for the Pinot Noir grape variety as they retain water well while allowing good aeration. They are often associated with deep and structured red wines.
- Limestone scree: located at the bottom of the slopes, these soils are composed of rock debris from the upper slopes and usually produce generous and well-balanced wines.
Mercurey also benefits from a semi-continental climate with hot summers and cold winters.Protected from the west winds, the vineyard also benefits from a generous amount of sunshine for Burgundy, which promotes good grape maturation.
Welcome to Mercurey, at the heart of the Great Wines of Burgundy!
The wines of the AOC Mercurey
The AOC Mercurey primarily produces red wines (over 80%), based on the single grape variety Pinot Noir. The rest of the plantations here are dedicated to Chardonnay and the production of white wines. Here are a few more details on what awaits you in tasting if you take a closer interest in the wines of this brilliant appellation.
The red Mercurey wines
The red wines of Mercurey are reputed to combine finesse and indulgence . Indeed, the location of the appellation in the south of Burgundy provides Pinot Noir profiles with less acidity than those of the wines from the Côte de Nuits and a more straightforward and expressive fruit.
When tasting a red Mercurey, you will be struck by its intense ruby color as well as its deep and fleshy aromas of red fruits (crushed strawberry, raspberry, cherry). Aging in oak barrels is common and brings delicious spicy notes (vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, clove, etc.). Good Mercurey wines offer body and length.
The tannins are often fine but more pronounced than those of the more "northern" wines of Burgundy. With age, aromas of undergrowth, tobacco, and cocoa may appear.
The Mercurey red " village " wines are generally best enjoyed in their relative youth and express a lot of indulgence for immediate pleasure. Nevertheless, the Mercurey Premiers Crus should be awaited to refine their tannins and reach their peak.In this case, a storage of 10, 15, or even 20 years can certainly be considered!
The white Mercurey wines
The white wines of Mercurey are made from the Chardonnaygrape variety. In very rare cases, Pinot Gris (or Pinot Beurot) may also be used.
While the whites are not the majority within the appellation, they are certainly worth a visit ! Their golden color, sometimes with green reflections, instantly charms. On the nose and palate, these wines reveal delicious white fruit aromas (peach, pear), citrus, white flowers, hazelnuts, almonds, and sometimes a hint of spice if aged in barrels.Depending on the terroir, a certain minerality also appears, bringing a magnificent balance to the whole, between freshness and indulgence.
Most white Mercurey wines are enjoyed in their early years. Nevertheless, for climates classified as "Premier Cru," aging for 10 to 15 years is quite possible.
The Premier Crus of the Mercurey appellation
Although the Mercurey commune does not have any Grands Crus, 32 Premier Crus reveal here all the excellence of the appellation. Here are some of these elite terroirs.
- Clos des Barraults : located slightly at altitude (250 to 300m) on limestone soils, this climate produces red and white wines with a beautiful tension and an elegant structure.
- Les Naugues : Situated on limestone-rich soils with a beautiful exposure, the reds from Les Naugues are renowned for their depth and generally age well. The whites are rarer but remarkable, oscillating between minerality and indulgence.
- Clos L’Évêque : one of the oldest climates of Mercurey, located near the village. It is recognized for its structured, powerful, and generous reds.
- Clos du Roy : close to the village, this climate is very well situated on an east-facing hillside. The reds are deep and complex, with a solid tannic structure and excellent aging potential. The whites are infrequent, lively, and well-balanced.
- Le Clos des Montaigus : located on well-exposed southeast-facing slopes, at a height. The reds are structured and elegant, with a nice freshness. The whites are rare and offer minerality and tension.
- Les Champs Martin : located east of Mercurey, on well-drained clay-limestone soil, this climate is renowned for its harmonious and accessible wines.The reds are balanced, with notes of crunchy red fruits and a beautiful mineral framework. The whites are rich and round.
- Les Saumonts : located in the center of the appellation, this terroir has an east/southeast exposure and rests on clay-limestone soils offering very good drainage. The red wines produced here are round, fruity, and indulgent, with a beautiful acidic framework that brings freshness.
- Les Velley : Located on the hillside, with excellent southern exposure.The reds are rather fine and elegant, with floral aromas and small red fruits, while the whites are marked by a beautiful minerality and freshness
Of course, we could have mentioned many other Premier Crus here, such as "Les Combins," "Les Byots," or "En Sazenay," all developing a unique personality and representing the quintessence of the Mercurey appellation.
What to eat with a wine from the Mercurey AOC?
The wines of the Mercurey AOC pair wonderfully with a wide range of dishes, highlighting their unique character. Here are some suggestions to enhance your tasting experience.
Pairings with a red Mercurey
To accompany a tannic and powerful red Mercurey, opt for flavorful red meats such as a grilled ribeye, a beef roast, or a duck fillet. These dishes highlight the structure and intense aromas of the wine.
With a red Mercurey focused on indulgence and fruit, choose tender poultry like a roasted chicken or a capon, guaranteed success ! Other pairings are also possible, such as coq au vin, beef bourguignon or even a wild mushroom risotto.
To fully enjoy all their flavors, serve your bottle of Mercurey red at around 14 to 16°C.
Enhance your Mercurey red with a delicious beef bourguignon!
Pairings with a Mercurey white
With their freshness and indulgence, Mercurey whites pair ideally with grilled fish such as sea bass, sea bream, or even trout with almonds. Shellfish like lobster or langoustine are also excellent companions.
With white Mercurey wines focused on minerality and tension, oysters can also work well.
This type of wine can also pair well with soft cheeses like brie or camembert. Comté, Abondance, or Gruyère also work very well.
Finally, white Mercurey can also be paired with dishes that are slightly spicy or exotic thanks to its roundness and freshness (mild vegetable curry, chicken tagine with preserved lemons and olives, etc.).
We recommend serving your white Mercurey between 11 and 13°C to appreciate its finesse and delicate aromas.
The trout fillet with almonds: the perfect match for your Mercurey white wine
The best wines of the Mercurey appellation
To beautifully conclude your exploration of Mercurey, let's now talk about the estates that contribute to the fame of the appellation. Among them, there are iconic names like Domaine Faiveley, Château de Chamirey, Château de Bourgneuf, and Clos des Montaigus.
However, today we wish to highlight the brilliant domaine François Raquillet. Coming from a lineage of 11 generations of winemakers, François took over the estate in 1990 with his wife Emmanuelle. The property now covers 14 hectares of vineyards (75% pinot noir, 25% chardonnay) and offers a superb range of very high-level white and red wines. Since 2018, their daughter Jeanne has joined them. Acclaimed by enthusiasts and the specialized press, this is a Burgundian estate you absolutely must know!
You will have understood, the Mercurey appellation embodies all the elegance and indulgence of the wines of the Côte Chalonnaise. With its rich heritage, exceptional terroirs, and emblematic estates, each bottle here is a promise of excellence and pleasure.
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