Saint-Romain Wine Region Guide

Saint-Romain is a French wine appellation in the eastern part of the country, in the Côte-d’Or department, Burgundy. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious wine appellations in France. The wine made from Saint-Romain grapes has a distinctive taste, with black currants, plums, or citrus notes. The vineyards are located on limestone soils with clay patches, giving the wines a unique colour and taste. Saint-Romain wines are known for their strong character, intense aromas, and deep flavours. They are made either from the Chardonnay grape, which represents the majority of Saint-Romain wines and therefore is white or from the Pinot Noir grape variety that makes red wine. In general, the vineyards cover around 98 hectares, and worth mentioning that the region provides an excellent price-quality ratio compared to other Burgundian wines, making it even more interesting.

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Where is the Saint-Romain wine appellation?

Saint-Romain is a wine commune of the Côte de Beaune in the region of Burgundy. It is a very old, small, unique village appellation that produces an authentic and complex wine. The vineyards of Saint-Romain are principally placed in a side valley to the west of Auxey-Duresses, facing the Hautes Côtes de Beaune. The prominent neighbouring appellations are Saint-Aubin, Auxey-Duresses, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, Savigny-lès- Beaune and Santenay.

History of Saint-Romain wine appellation

Saint-Romain wine region has a long history of producing high-quality wines, it has been producing wines since the Roman Empire, and it was called “the land of vines” by the locals. It was one of the first places in France where indigenous humans, specifically Celts and Gallo-Romans, started cultivating vines. Therefore, as mentioned above, the oldest appellation in the region. It has been a focal point of human activity since Roman times. Saint-Romain was granted the appellation status AOC Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée in 1947. Nowadays, it is a very important producer of mainly white wine from the Chardonnay grape and red wine from the Pinot Noir grape variety, which can also be labelled as the Saint-Romain Côte de Beaune.

Type of Saint-Romain Terroir

Saint-Romain Soil is also known as a geologist’s paradise, as the place that vineyards occupy is extremely fertile and especially suits the Chardonnay grape variety. The soil in Saint-Romain consists of lias, limestones, and marls, with clay patches, giving both red and white wines high acidity and notable minerality. Also, the Saint-Romain wine appellation is the coolest and highest point in the area as the altitude at which some vineyards are planted is 400 meters; therefore, there are variations in ripening periods. The vineyards on the lower slopes attain full ripeness earlier than the ones on the high slopes. The average annual rainfall in Saint-Romain is 789 mm, while the coldest month is January and the warmest month is July. The growing season lasts about 240 days, and temperatures above 20° are rare in August. Generally speaking, it is quite a cool region, and probably this is the reason for not having premier cru vineyards within this appellation.

Saint-Romain wine characteristics

80% of Saint-Romain wine is white, produced from Chardonnay. Chardonnay grapes are rampant worldwide; they are champagne-coloured and juicy, with moderate acidity. Saint-Romain white wine is pale gold and slightly green, with flavours of citrus, flowers, and mineral notes. It has a smooth texture, does not have a very concentrated taste, and is enjoyable to drink. While the red wine, which represents the remaining 20% of Saint-Romain wine and is made from the Pinot Noir grape variety, has quite an intense taste and is deeply coloured. Its flavours range from red fruits like black currant, cherry, and raspberry to spicy and smoky aromas. These flavours might change over ageing as time passes. Young wines often have noticeable tannins and acidity, while older ones are smoother and feature more subtle tastes. Saint-Romain wines get sweeter in about five years, and generally, they have an ageing potential of 10 years. The best-serving temperature of Saint-Romain white wine is 12 to 14° C, and for the red wine, 13 to 15° C. Here is the list of signature Saint-Romain wines:

• Domaine Alain Gras, 2019
• Domaine Taupenot-Merme, 2014
• Christophe Buisson, 2014
• La Perrière, Domaine Henri & Gilles Buisson, 2014

Food to pair with Saint-Romain wine

Parma Ham Veal Escalopes

This traditional French dish contains veal meat, Parma ham, mozzarella cheese, garlic, olive oil, and many herbs. This flavourful, juicy, and meaty delicacy is a great choice to pair with Saint-Romain red wine, like all dishes with red meat. 

Beef Bourguignon

Beef bourguignon is a typical Burgundian stew made of beef, potatoes, mushrooms, thyme, garlic, onion, carrots, and, most importantly, lots of red wine used to marinate and tenderize the meat. This dish is unimaginable without a glass of wine but is the best to savour with your preferred Saint-Romain wine. 

Baked Camembert with raspberry jam

Camembert is a traditional French cheese, a star of appetizers, which is great to serve with fruit or berry jam on top. This delicious baked Camembert dish with raspberry sauce and bread croutons to dip in is an excellent accompaniment for Saint-Romain wine, especially the white wine, like all other creamy, soft and hearty cheeses. 

Places to Visit in Saint-Romain

Hospices de Beaune

The Hospices de Beaune has a long history and is considered to be the oldest hospital still in operation in France. It was founded by one of the most powerful men in Burgundy, Nicolas Rolin, as a home for the sick and disabled. The original hospital building, a fifteenth-century artefact and one of the finest examples of Burgundian architecture, is now a museum, which offers guided tours every day due to high demand and the number of visitors. 

The garden and castle of Barbirey

The castle of Barbiery located in the heart of Burgundy surprises its guests with constructions from different periods. Classified as a Historic Monument, the Château de Barbiery has a pastoral and rural atmosphere and is open to the public. Its vast, green gardens and parks with centuries-old pear and apple trees are just spectacular. Also, it is a great place where people tend to organize seminars, marriages, birthdays, and other important events for every occasion. 

Chateauneuf-en-Auxois

This medieval village is located near Saint-Romain, in the same department, classified as one of “the most beautiful villages”. Exploring Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, you can expect to be surprised by one excellent sight after the other. Start by walking around the village and exploring the beautifully fortified castle.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Saint-Romain wine region