Marsannay is finally receiving the attention it truly deserves. Uncover the reasons behind.

Marsannay, the crown jewel of the C?te d'Or's northern reaches, is on the brink of an extraordinary transformation. It boldly seeks Premier Cru recognition for select vineyard parcels, sparking fervor in the wine world. Let's delve into this captivating village and its ambitious ascent.

Situated as the northern gateway to the C?te de Nuits, Marsannay is the most northern appellation of the region and a fun fact - is the only Village that is allowed to produce all three styles of wines - White, Red and Rose.

Soils, Style, and Historical Significance:

Covering the villages of Marsannay-la-C?te, Chen?ve, and Couchey, Marsannay spans 302 hectares divided among 40 producers. In the 19th century, Marsannay wines, predominantly Gamay and Aligoté, were highly prized, especially renowned for their rosé wines. Before the arrival of Phylloxera in Burgundy Gamay and Aligoté were the most popular varieties. As we witness the resurgence of Aligoté in modern times, there's a hopeful anticipation of its resurgence in Marsannay's vineyards!

The vineyards of Marsannay sprawl from the northern to southern stretches along the optimal sections of the hill slope, reaching heights between 255 and 390 meters above sea level.?

The vine exposures vary from east to south, capturing the full spectrum of sunlight. The soils, originating from mid-Jurassic strata, boast remarkable diversity in their composition.

Referred to as the "Golden Gate" to the C?te de Nuits, Marsannay's proximity to Dijon, Burgundy's largest city, and administrative centre, adds to its allure. However, the village of Chen?ve is gradually being engulfed by the southward expansion of Dijon, creating a dynamic interplay between urbanization and viticulture.

Marsannay style of Wines

Marsannay is the only village appellation producing wines in all three colours (White, Red and Rose).? The wines aligns with the C?te de Nuits, resembling their neighbours in Fixin and Gevrey-Chambertin. Marsannay reds exhibit intense colouration and a harmonious bouquet of red and black fruits, while whites offer a spectrum of citrus aromas and white flowers. Both reds and whites, enjoyable when young, evolve well into a decade.

Embracing the Future: Premier Cru Aspirations

The history of Marsannay, once classified on par with Grands Crus, motivated its viticulturists to initiate the process to promote the best vineyard to Premier Cru status which is scheduled to take act in 2025.?

In order to move up from the lower "village" classification in the Burgundy hierarchy to premier cru status, a vineyard owner must demonstrate to France's Institut National des Appellations d'Origine -- the regulatory body of the Appellation d'Origine Contr?llée (AOC) system -- that a site produces grapes with unique characteristics and shows consistently high quality

It may be time to buy the wines from the village now before those acts pushes the price higher?

We are proud to offer a selection of Marsannay wines from Bruno Clair on our website - his family has been a pivotal energy to push the region to new hights and to safeguard the vineyards in Chen?ve.