Meursault Wine Region

Meursault is a wine region situated on a prehistoric settlement in the heart of Burgundy, France. Nestled between the Volnay and Puligny Montrachet, the region is one of the pioneers in the production of Chardonnay in all of Burgundy. The wine region is named after the Latin term “Muris Saltus”, translated as “Mouse leap”, a river across the town, Ruisseau des Cloux, named by Roman soldiers. The town is inherited by old Roman forts, gothic bell towers, castles, and the beautiful landscape of a gently sloping vineyard. Continue reading to discover what makes Meursault the finest expression of Chardonnay. 

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Where is the Meursault wine region?

Meursault wine region is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department, the heart of the Côte de Beaune region along the route of the famous Grand Crus of Burgundy, eastern France. The wine region spreads across 16 km2 with slopes from 199 to 458 meters above sea level giving the exposure of the coast to the west with an optimum altitude for the best Meursault soil. East of the Meursault is Volnay, Puligny Montrachet at the west and Auxey duresses is at the north. 

History of Meursault wine region

Meursault is a small village with a population of about 1,400 people. Meursault makes some of the best white wines in the world with their dry, light styles that are admired for their unpretentious yet classically easy drinking qualities. Producing since the middle ages, the region has been classified as one of the most important wine regions in France. 

The Meursault region is formed on a prehistoric settlement and is sometimes believed to be named after the fortified camp, dating back to 2500 BC and Gallo Roman era. Like every commune in Côte-d'Or, the history of the Meursault wine appellation is closely linked with the church. The new Cistercian abbey at Citeaux was formed by the ascetic Robert de Molesmes in 1098 on land gifted by Duke Odo II of Burgundy. More donations and locals followed the church over the next couple of centuries making Meursault the heart of Hospices de Beaune’s white wine holdings. 

The terroir and geography of the Meursault wine region

The climate of Meursault is mainly continental with hot summers and cold winters. The geography of Meursault is quite diverse with some areas having an altitude of up to 458 meters above sea level and others as low as 199 meters above sea level. 

Meursault wine appellation ranges from steep slopes down to plains covered with vines mostly consisting of limestone soils that give the best of the white grape varietals. The vineyards get good exposure from the East and South. 

The Meursault wine appellation consists of Jurassic marls and marly limestones which explains why the locals have been cultivating white grapes. There is magnesian limestone along the region which can be easily identified from patchy bushes. The soil of the Meursault region consists of clay, limestone, and sand that make up the subsoil. The topsoil is made up of loess and schist formations, which are rich with minerals like iron, manganese, and magnesium.

Popular grape varieties from the Meursault wine region

Meursault wine appellation in Burgundy produces only white wines. The terroir and the climate of the Meursault wine region made the cultivation of the white grape varietals more favorable than the red. 

The grape varieties used in the Meursault wine region are Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, and Sauvignon blanc. These three grape varieties make up about 95% of the Meursault vineyards. The remaining 5% is composed of Pinot Noir. The red wines are very rare and often not bottled as Meursault AOC. A small cluster of Meursault vineyard close to Volnay bottle their Pinot Noir as Volnay Santenots appellation. 

Meursault Chardonnay is a full-bodied dry white wine with a rich and round taste. The tasting note includes butter, almond, hazelnut, honey, and citrus fruits. Meursault red wines are complex with an intense aromatic profile of wild berries and cloves. Their taste reveals the wine from its soft and velvety side with very fine tannins that perfectly harmonize with an elegant long finish.  

Food to pair with Meursault wine 

Meursault is a white wine with a light taste that pairs well with most dishes. This is because the wine has a balance of acid and alcohol, which balances out the flavors in food.

Meursault wine can be paired with many different types of food, but the most popular ones are seafood, vegetables, and poultry.

Foie Gras

Foie gras simply means “fatty liver” in French, which was discovered by ancient Egyptians. Foie gras made its way to become a delicacy for kings and noblemen when it reached Gaul. It has since become part of french gastronomy and represents the culinary finesse, culture, and sophistication. 

The foie gras can be served whole, as pâté, or as a mousse. It is sometimes served in terrines, pan seared, or as an appetizer or an entrée. The crisp Meursault wines with a mineral flavor profile complement the velvety foie gras. Meursault chardonnay accentuates the buttery texture of foie gras. 

A duck or goose liver is fattened through a process called gavage resulting in a silky smooth texture and rich taste. The goose liver is considered more refined with a milder taste, whereas duck liver tends to have a gamier flavour with slightly less fattiness. The livers are graded for quality. Grade “A” refers to the smoothest texture with consistent and rich flavours. Grade “B” has the same taste characteristics with small visual defects. The grade “B” is mostly used for mousses and terrines where those defects can be hidden. 

Lobster Thermidor

The Lobster Thermidor is a stunning french dish that is surprisingly easy to make that goes perfectly with dry and crisp Meursault. The lobster shells are stuffed with a cooked tender chunk of lobster in a creamy rich wine sauce, topped with parmesan cheese, and browned. 

There are two stories of how the dish was named. One of the popular is that it was named by Napolean after the month he first ate it. The month of Thermidor was July 19 to August 17 according to the French revolutionary calendar. Another story is that the dish was first prepared in 1894 at Maire’s Restaurant in Paris. Lobster thermidor is named after a premiere of Victorian Sardou’s play, Thermidor, which was playing at the theatre Comédie Française, near which the restaurant was located.

Blanquette de Veau

Blanquette de Veau is one of France’s most quintessential comfort foods. This veal-based dish is served in a white cream sauce. “En blanquette” in the name refers to no browning of either the veal or butter. Prosper Montagne, one of the most renowned French chefs of the Belle Epoque, stated that the Blanquette represents a historical cuisine and a classic of Bourgeois cookery. 

Traditionally, the dish is prepared using all the ingredients that are white like veal, baby onions, button mushrooms, white wine, and crème fraîche. Blanquette is usually served with rice but may also be served with celery root, halved celery heart, braised leeks, and cucumber. The tender flavors and creamy sauce goes perfectly with acid-driven Meursault wines.

Places to visit in the Meursault wine region

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

Chateau de la Rochepot

The Château de la Rochepot is a castle of neo-Gothic Burgundian origin built in 1180 on the ruins of a castle that burnt down in the 11th century. The castle belonged to seigneur de Montagu Alexander of Burgundy (son of Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy). The Château was rebuilt in the 15th century after it was purchased by Seigneur Regnier Pot (Chamberlain to the Duke of Burgundy) and named it Château de La Roche Nolay. The Chateau de la Rochepot is a wonderful blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Its interior decorations were completed in the late 19th century with glazed burgundy tiles. 

Château de Savigny-les-Beaune

Château de Savigny-les-Beaune is one of the most important and prestigious French wineries. The Château is surrounded by several hectares of houses in a bucolic setting, a fighter plane, and a vineyard. The Château de Savigny-Les-Beaune is one of the best-known examples of French Baroque architecture, and it has been called "the Versailles of Burgundy." 

It was built for the Duke of Eudes in the 14th century and is situated on a hillside next to the commune of Savigny-Les-Beaune, France. The Château was dismantled in 1478 with the invasion of Burgundy by Louis XI. The castle was restored and decorated in the early 17th century by the Bouhier family which became the property of the Migieu family in 1689. The Château was later purchased by a wine grower/operator in 1972.

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Frequently asked questions about Meursault