Nuits-Saint-Georges WIne Region Guide

The Nuits-Saint-Georges wine region is in France, in the eastern part of the Bourgogne region in the Côte-d'Or department between Beaune and Dijon. The region is the second largest of the 26 communes in the Côte d'Or covering 20.5 km2. Red wine production dominates in this region, with around 97 percent, and only around three percent white wine. The Nuits-Saint-Georges wine region has a rich and unique history with a long tradition of viticulture dating back to before the Roman era and it continues to be an important region known for flavorful and bold Pinot Noir.

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Where is the Nuits-Saint-Georges wine region?

Nuits-Saint-Georges is a wine-growing and viticultural area in eastern Burgundy just 16km northeast of Beaune and 29 km southwest of Dijon. The region is bordered by Vosne Romanee in the North, Premeaux in the South, Boncourt-le-Bois in the east, and Meuilley in the west. The vineyards are spread throughout the hills and plains on 757 acres producing just over 1.6 million bottles of wine.

Nuits-Saint-Georges has been recently gaining popularity as an upmarket destination for wine lovers and foodies alike.

History of Nuits-Saint-Georges wine region

Nuits came from the Latin term “Nutium” meaning walnut as the region was concentrated with walnut and hazelnut trees since the Gallic period. In 1892, the town of Nuits appended the name of a famous vineyard in the region in its name, giving the region its modern form “Nuits-Saint-Georges”. Folklore suggests that the “Saint-Georges” came from the oldest vintage dating back to the year 1000. The region is recognized as an appellation since September 1936 known for its powerful and complex red wines from Pinot Noir.

The terroir and geography of the Nuits-Saint-Georges wine region

The Nuits Saint Georges has about 320 hectares of vineyard lands on the north and south of the town center. Nuits Saint Georges wine appellation includes 41 premier cru vineyards and no grand crus. The appellation focuses on the low yield and has strict regulation of up to 10000 vines per hectare, this enhances the flavor and expression of the terroir. The northern vineyards comprise alluvial soils and pebbles that are washed down from the hills. The southern vineyards are mostly silty clay deposits from the river Meuzin with the base of deep marly limestone soils.

Popular grape varieties from the Nuits-Saint-Georges wine region

Nuits-Saint-Georges red wine is of outstanding quality, primarily made from Pinot Noir, dominating around 97% of total production. The Nuits-Saint-Georges wine appellation allows up to 15% Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris as accessory grapes in red wines. The region also produces a small batch of white wines using Chardonnay and Pinot blanc which is just 3% of the total wine production of the region.

Food to pair with Nuits-Saint-Georges wine

Nuits-Saint-Georges red wines are all about boldness and make the perfect partner with any meat dishes.

Ribeye steak

The ribeye is a boneless rib section that is both flavorful and tender. It comes from the lightly worked upper rib cage area with marbling fat that gives its flavor and fast cooking attributes. Rib eye is one of the best types of steak for pan-searing, which helps bring its strong, delicious flavors out.

Rib-eye steak can be served with a rich and creamy béarnaise sauce along with some potato side dishes. Pair up with your favorite reds from Nuits-Saint-Georges.

Roasted Lamb

Lamb is a versatile meat that can be enjoyed year-round with special indulgence. Many flavors complement lamb so you can use a variety of herbs, spices, and seasonings to enhance the flavor of your choice.

Roasted lamb dishes such as rack of lamb, leg of lamb, or lamb cutlets, go well with red wines from Nuits-Saint-Georges.

Duck breast

Duck breast and Pinot Noir from Nuits-Saint-Georges are superb on their own and exceptional together. Duck is considered dark meat with a strong Gamay flavor profile. Yet it is tender, and delicate with a richer taste than the chicken. The duck has intense flavors that handle the boldness of Pinot Noir. The moderate-high acidity of the wine balances out the fattiness of the duck.

You can also add fruits while cooking duck breast that complements the fruity notes from the wine.

Places to visit in the Nuits-Saint-Georges wine region

The Nuits-Saint-Georges wine region has many places to visit that are worth visiting during your trip to France. Some of these places include:

Musée de Nuits-Saint-Georges

The town museum in the heart of Nuits-Saint-Georges is dedicated to the philosophy, history, and cultural heritage of the region. The Museum is accessible to all and free to visit. Filled with Roman artifacts, and medieval items, you can easily spend several hours wandering around this cultural space. The museum is housed within a former wine cellar.

Beffroi (Belfry) de Nuits-St-Georges

Beffroi is one of the most distinctive buildings in the town. Just next to the tourist in a corner of the main town square, the emblem of the town- Belfry is an octagonal lantern on a square tower with several bells. The tower was built in the early 17th century with two storeys. The tower also houses a complete cellar. The building has been listed as a historic monument since 1947.

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