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Corton-Charlemagne
Corton-Charlemagne is the white grand cru on the hill of Corton. The higher, cooler plots on the hill are planted with chardonnay.
Our range includes wines from Corton-Charlemagne by producers including Bonneau du Martray, Joseph Drouhin, JC Ramonet, Louis Jadot and Lucien Le Moine. If you would like to explore the Côte de Beaune further, you will also find Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Corton in our range.
Grape and style
Corton-Charlemagne is a Grand Cru for white wine, made from chardonnay. The wine is powerful and taut: a firm framework of acidity and minerality, with aromas of flint, citrus, almond and baked fruit. When young it is often closed and austere; roundness comes only with time.
Compared with the richer, broader wines of Meursault, Corton-Charlemagne is somewhat more restrained and drier in character.
Location and soil
The vineyards lie on the highest part of the Corton hill, around the summit. There the slope faces south-west and west, unlike most Burgundian vineyards. The soil consists of limestone with white marl, which gives the white wine its typical minerality.
The area covers parts of the communes of Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses and Ladoix-Serrigny. Depending on the location, the style can vary somewhat.
Classification and rules
Corton-Charlemagne is a Grand Cru appellation in its own right for white wine. According to tradition, the name refers to Emperor Charlemagne, who is said to have owned vineyards in the area. For the red Grand Cru from the same hill, see Corton.
The label shows the name Corton-Charlemagne, with no further mention of the vineyard.
Ageing and serving
This wine needs time. Young bottles are often still closed; after years of keeping, the nuts, honey and chalk emerge. An hour in the decanter can help a young bottle to open up.
Serve at 11 to 13 °C. It goes well with shellfish, pan-fried fish with butter sauce, veal and mild, mature cheeses.
Producers in our range
These producers feature in our Corton-Charlemagne range: Bonneau du Martray, Joseph Drouhin, JC Ramonet, Louis Jadot (Domaine des Héritiers) and Lucien Le Moine.
More from the Côte de Beaune
You will find more wines from the Côte de Beaune under Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Corton, Santenay, Chassagne-Montrachet, Hautes Côtes de Beaune, Montrachet and Pommard.