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The Auxey-Duresses appellation is a village appellation of the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy's Beaune sub-region that produces wines from the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape. AOC produces 800,000 bottles of wines per year out of which approximately 75% are red wines and 25% are white. The AOC Auxey-Duresses was formed in 1937 and includes nine prime cru vineyards and 36 excellent lieu dits. The famous vineyard of the village is located southwest of Beaune, precisely between Monthelie and Saint-Romain. This amazing wine district has been able to continue its Celtic and Gallo-Roman legacy in its wine-making which distinguishes it from other large regions. 

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Where is the Auxey-Duresses wine region?

The wine appellation Auxey-Duresses is located at the beginning of a limestone ridge that goes from Cote de Beaune all the way up to Hautes Cotes. This one-of-a-kind wine-producing community is located west of Meursault, southwest of Monthelie, east of Saint Romain, and northeast of Orches and Evelle. The location is only 9 kilometers southwest of Beaune, 55 kilometers south of Dijon, and 160 kilometers north of Lyon. According to the 2018 survey, red grape occupies 91.54 hectares, 27.11 of which are premier crus, and white grape covers 49.36 hectares, 3.47 of which are premier crus.

History of the Auxey-Duresses wine region

Winemaking stretches back to the Celtic and Gallo-Roman periods in the commune of Auxey-Duresses. These rich fields belonged to the Abbey of Cluny and were used to grow wheat and grapes. Although maize mills have vanished from the region, wine presses remain. The area is one of Burgundy's classic wine-growing districts. Prior to acquiring its own appellation in 1937, wines from Auxey-Duresses were branded as Volnay or Meursault. Wines were often sold in Cote de Beaune villages even after the foundation of the municipal appellation. Only in 1970 did vineyards in the region begin to utilize the Auxey-Duresses AOC for their wines.

The terroir and geography of the Auxey-Duresses wine region

The Auxey-Duresses region has a continental climate with dry-warm summers and cool-extended winters. Spring arrives earlier in the area than in other parts of Burgundy, exposing vinegrowers to the risk of frost on chilly spring mornings. The majority of the land is composed of limestone with a mix of pebbly marls that faces south and southeast for maximum sun exposure. Climat du Val, La Chapelle, Bas Des Duresses, Clos du Val, Reugne, Les Grands Champs, Les Breterins, Les Duresses, and Les Ecussaeux are among the nine premier crus sites in Auxey-Duresses.

Popular grape varieties from the Auxey-Duresses wine region

The main grape types grown in the Auxey-Duresses wine area are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The region mostly employs 100% Pinot Noir to make its superb red wines, with a total of 15% accessory fruits such as Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris allowed in the red wines. Winemakers in the region predominantly create single-varietal white wines from Chardonnay, with authorization to combine Pinot Blanc as an accessory grape, as they do with reds.

Food to pair with Auxey-Duresses wine 

Foie Gras

In French, foie gras simply means "fatty liver," which was discovered by the ancient Egyptians. When foie gras arrived in Gaul, it quickly became a delicacy for kings and noblemen. It has since become an integral component of French gastronomy, representing culinary skill, culture, and elegance.

The foie gras is available whole, as pâté, or as a mousse. It is occasionally served in terrines, pan-seared, or as an appetizer or entrée. The creamy foie gras is complemented with crisp Auxey-Duresses wines with a mineral taste character. The buttery mouthfeel of foie gras is enhanced by Auxey-Duresses chardonnay.

Bœuf bourguignon

Beef bourguignon is a slow-cooked beef stew commonly made in French cuisine with Burgundy wines. Beef, onion, carrots, celery, and flour are common ingredients in the recipe. Before adding the remaining ingredients, the meat is fried in butter or oil. Boeuf bourguignon is frequently accompanied by cooked potatoes or noodles.

This dish is not a traditional Burgundy cuisine; rather, the use of wine explains the name. The dish was originally documented in 1867 and was frequently cooked with leftover meat. At the turn of the twentieth century, the dish was acknowledged as a Burgundian delicacy.

Because of the extended cooking period, the tastes of the meal are deep, nuanced, and hearty. The robust Auxey-Duresses wines complement this meal well.

Lobster Thermidor

The Lobster Thermidor is a gorgeous French meal that is surprisingly simple to prepare and pairs well with dry, crisp Meursault. The lobster shells are packed with a cooked soft portion of lobster in a creamy rich wine sauce, then fried and topped with parmesan cheese.

There are two versions of how the dish got its name. One of the most common is that Napoleon called it after the month he first ate it. According to the French revolutionary calendar, the month of Thermidor ran from July 19 to August 17. According to another legend, the meal was initially cooked in 1894 at Maire's Restaurant in Paris. Lobster thermidor is called after a performance of Victorian Sardou's play Thermidor at the Comédie Française, which was close to where the restaurant was located. For the greatest experience, pair it with Auxey-Duresses.

Places to visit in the Auxey-Duresses wine region

Chateau de la Rochepot

The Château de la Rochepot is a Burgundian neo-Gothic fortress erected in 1180 on the foundations of an earlier castle that burned down in the 11th century. Alexander of Burgundy, seigneur de Montagu, owned the fortress (son of Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy). Seigneur Regnier Pot (Chamberlain to the Duke of Burgundy) bought the Château in the 15th century and renamed it Château de La Roche Nolay. The Chateau de la Rochepot is a stunning example of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Its interior design was finished in the late 1800s with glazed burgundy tiles.

Château de Savigny-les-Beaune

Château de Savigny-les-Beaune is a prominent and important French winery. The Château is flanked by numerous hectares of rural homes, a fighter jet, and a vineyard. The Château de Savigny-Les-Beaune is a well-known example of French Baroque architecture, dubbed "the Versailles of Burgundy."

It was erected in the 14th century for the Duke of Eudes and is located on a hillside in the commune of Savigny-Les-Beaune, France. The Château was destroyed during Louis XI's invasion of Burgundy in 1478. The Bouhier family rebuilt and adorned the castle in the early 17th century, after which it passed to the Migieu family in 1689. In 1972, a wine grower/operator bought the Château.

Frequently asked questions about Auxey-Duresses

Where is the Auxey-Duresses wine region located?

The wine appellation Auxey-Duresses is situated at the start of a limestone ridge that extends from the Cote de Beaune all the way up to Hautes Cotes. This unique wine-producing town is situated west of Meursault, southwest of Monthelie, east of Saint Romain, and northeast of Orches and Evelle.

What are some of the best Auxey-Duresses wines that people should try?

Coche-Dury Auxey-Duresses, Cote de Beaune, France
Alain Gras Auxey-Duresses Vieilles Vignes Rouge, Cote de Beaune, France
Leflaive & Associes Auxey-Duresses, Cote de Beaune, France
Domaine Roulot Auxey-Duresses Premier Cru, Cote de Beaune, France

What are the different kinds of grapes that grow in the Auxey-Duresses appellation?

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the most common grape varieties planted in the Auxey-Duresses wine region. The region's exceptional red wines are typically made with 100% Pinot Noir, with a total of 15% accessory fruits such as Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris allowed in the red wines. The region's winemakers mostly make single-varietal white wines from Chardonnay, with permission to add Pinot Blanc as an accessory vine, as they can with reds.

What kind of wine is an Auxey-Duresses?

Red wines of Auxey-Duresses are velvety with silky tannin which goes with red as well as white meats. These wines have a bright ruby color with notes of black fruits and flowers. White wines from Auxey-Duresses have a strong personality that combines flavors of fresh almonds, apples, and biscuits. Fresh taste with an oily body, excellent fruits, balanced acidity, and a long finish.

What are the features of white Auxey-Duresses wines?

Soil: clay-limestone.
Taste: Balanced.
Wine color: white.
Aromas: woody aromas.
Aging potential: 1 – 2 years.
Serving temperature: 7 to 9° C

What are the features of red Auxey-Duresses wines?

Soil: clay-limestone.
Taste: Balanced.
Wine color: Red.
Aromas: velvety and spicy notes.
Aging potential: 5 – 10 years.
Serving temperature: 14 to 16° C

Map of Wineries in Auxey-Duresses

Discover the locations of wineries in Auxey-Duresses