Marsannay-la-Côte

The wines

The vines run from 255 to 390 metres on a wide mix of Middle Jurassic soils: layered scree, crinoidal limestone, marls and old river gravels. Reds are Pinot Noir with cherry, strawberry and blackcurrant fruit. Whites come from Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, with citrus and white flowers. The rosé, made by direct pressing of Pinot Noir, is fresh and fruity. Reds and whites are enjoyable young but gain depth with age.

History

Vines have grown here since at least the seventh century. The Abbey of Bèze, the bishops of Autun and the Dukes of Burgundy all held vineyards, and the wines reached the tables of Louis XIV and Louis XVI. Around the year 900 a chapel was founded here for the relics of Saint Urbain; it later became a small monastery. Its 13th-century round dovecote still stands, on private land.

Until the 19th century, some of Marsannay's climats enjoyed a rank similar to today's grands crus. The modern appellation came late: Marsannay became a village AOC on 19 May 1987. Growers have worked for more than twenty years towards premier cru status. In 2026 a plan to classify 14 climats as premiers crus went to public consultation, a key step in the official INAO process.