Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC

For centuries, the town of Nuits (its original name) has been an active wine-producing centre. Its history is closely linked to that of the Burgundy region. As in the rest of Burgundy, vines have been grown in the region since Gallo-Roman times. Wine production only really began to take off in the early Middle Ages, thanks to the spread of Christianity and the activities of monks. The creation of plots of land attached to abbeys encouraged the expansion of vine cultivation.

The marketing of the region's wines developed significantly in the 18th century with the emergence of the first wine merchants, whose job was to purchase grapes from winegrowers and age them before selling them. Having become a centre for Burgundy winegrowing, in 1892 the town of Nuits added the name of its most famous vineyard, Saint-Georges, to its own, becoming Nuits-Saint-Georges.

At the end of the 19th century, the vineyard was not spared the crisis caused by mildew, phylloxera and powdery mildew, like the rest of France. The following years were devoted to rebuilding the vineyards. Despite great vintages such as 1929, 1933 and 1934, Burgundy faced a major economic crisis. Fervent defenders of the terroir worked to preserve the wines, at the dawn of the appearance of the first French appellations.

The commune of Nuits Saint Georges gave its name to the Côte de Nuits. In 1934, winegrowers came together to create the Confrérie des Chevaliers de Tastevin and promote Burgundy wines. In 1936, the Nuits Saint Georges vineyard was recognised as an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, bringing Premeaux-Prissey into this commune. The AOC is followed by the name of the lieu-dit. Today, the Nuits Saint Georges AOC is one of the most prestigious in the Côte de Nuits, in the Côte d'Or. It is located just south of the prestigious AOC Gevrey-Chambertin, renowned for its Grand Cru appellation.

It comprises 41 Climats classified as Premier Cru, including 29 in the commune of Nuits-Saint-Georges:

The Premeaux-Prissey vineyard also produces 12 Premier Cru Nuits Saint Georges classified climats:

• Clos des Grandes Vignes
• Les Terres Blanches
• Clos des Argillières
• Clos de la Maréchale
• Les Didiers
• Clos des Corvées Pagets
• Les Argillières
• Les Poulettes
• Aux Perdrix
• Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges
• Clos Saint-Marc
• Clos des Corvées

Nuits Saint Georges is a large vineyard where the wines are very different from one another. You will find robust, tannic, concentrated wines, but also fine, very elegant and less colourful wines. Covering an area of approximately 300 hectares over a length of 5.5 km, the Nuits Saint Georges vineyard is divided into two parts. This subdivision results in diverse soils and exposures:

• The northern part: This is the largest area on the slopes of the Meuzin valley, stretching from the village of Vosnes Romanée to the Meuzin river. The soils consist of well-drained silt and gravel from alluvial deposits or descending from the Côte. The soils are rich in limestone, shallower and sloping over a 110-metre difference in altitude, becoming richer in clay towards the plain and deeper. The red wines have a tighter structure, finer tannins with a chalky touch and a more elegant style, sometimes ‘Vosnian’, with an emphasis on red fruits and delicate spices.


• The southern part: From the river to the village of Comblanchien, the vineyard is narrower and less steep. The combe des Vallerots creates variations that have a geological and climatic effect: the thicker soil is composed of silt linked to erosion from the combe and forms deep marl and limestone soil. The valley also brings a cooling effect and greater water potential. In the southernmost part at the foot of the hillside, denser clays have replaced the limestone and are marked by reddish iron oxide, which characterises the Climats of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The aromatic profile of the red wines is focused on black fruits and gamey notes. The wines have a fuller body, more structure and broader tannins in a more ‘Nuiton’ style, powerful and earthy.

The quality of the clay-limestone soils, the east-facing and sometimes south-east-facing exposure, and the microclimatic conditions give the wines the distinctive characteristic of the Nuits Saint Georges appellation: supple tannins.

Most of the production comes from Pinot Noir grapes, used to make red wine with powerful aromas and a beautiful tannic structure, while the few white wines, made from Chardonnay grapes, are elegant and opulent.

Nuit Saint Georges red wine

This Burgundy wine owes its characteristics to the Pinot Noir grape variety, which gives it its intense red colour. Recognisable for their full-bodied and powerful character, they also offer great finesse and elegance on the palate. At first glance, the red appears less firm and less harsh than a Gevrey, but with more body and colour than a Chambolle Musigny.

Nuit Saint Georges white wine

These white wines are relatively rare, but are just as worth discovering as the red wines. Elegant and opulent, these white wines with their deep golden colour are distinguished by their firm structure. Renowned for being heady, Nuits Saint Georges white wines seduce with their notes of brioche, honey and white flowers.

These wines need time to be enjoyed to the full, especially when shared with others:

• A period of ageing in the cellar to allow them to reach their peak: for red wines, 5 to 7 years on average and up to 20 years for the very best Nuit Saint-Georges wines. White wines can be kept for 2 to 5 years.
• Aeration time: remember to open your bottle of Nuit Saint-Georges at least 2 hours before drinking it. Ideally, it should be decanted to allow greater contact with oxygen.

At what temperature should this Burgundy wine be served?

As with any wine, a Nuits Saint Georges must be served at the right temperature to allow its aromas and flavours to express themselves fully. When young, red wines should be served between 12°C and 14°C. Older wines reveal their full aromatic qualities at 15°C or 16°C. White wines are best enjoyed at a temperature between 12°C and 14°C.

A bottle as a gift for a collector

This gift idea is sure to please any wine connoisseur looking to add some excellent vintages to their cellar: wines from the Nuits Saint Georges appellation are renowned for their ageing potential. The appellation's red wines are particularly distinguished by their ability to improve over several years, or even several decades for the finest vintages. Among the best vintages are 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023.

The Nuits Saint Georges AOC has many wine estates that contribute to the reputation of the AOC. It is difficult to choose among the best plots in this vineyard, but here are some remarkable ones:

• Domaine des Perdrix: Located at the northern end of Nuits on predominantly limestone soil, the estate produces wines of great finesse, such as the Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru ‘Aux Perdrix’ Cuvée ‘Les 8 Ouvrées’, which pays homage to history. Produced from the oldest vines on the plot, planted in 1922, it covers an area of 8 ouvrées (a unit of measurement, or the area of vineyard that could be dug by a winegrower in a day), or 4.28 ares. A small production that makes this cuvée rare.
• Domaine Fleurot: This historic family-owned Burgundy wine estate produces, among others, the Argillat cuvée. A Nuits Saint Georges red appreciated for its remarkable tannic structure and complex aromatic palette!
• Château de Prémeaux: More confidential, a Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru ‘Aux Champs Perdrix’ is a Nuits Saint Georges white that will appeal to lovers of great Burgundy whites. A real gem!

What dish should you serve with a Nuits-Saint-Georges?

Full-bodied and powerful, Nuits Saint Georges red wines, renowned for their body and chewiness, especially when young, are the perfect gastronomic companions for flavourful meats with character. They pair well with rib of beef or roast lamb. Their tannic structure and rich aromatic bouquet of red fruits make them a perfect match for duck breast. Thanks to their leather and truffle aromas, mature wines pair beautifully with game. Nuits de Saint Georges red wines also pair well with certain fish, such as monkfish. Nuits Saint Georges white wines pair well with poultry in sauce, gratinated or grilled shellfish and grilled sea fish.

Which cheese goes well with a Nuits-Saint-Georges?

Red Nuits Saint Georges wines are the perfect accompaniment to soft, washed-rind cheeses such as Époisses, Langres and Soumaintrain. White Nuits Saint Georges wines pair beautifully with Comté, Gouda, Brie, Stilton and Roquefort, accompanied by walnuts.

Offering a wide range of aromatic nuances, Nuits Saint Georges wines are also available at a variety of prices. The cost varies according to different parameters, including the reputation of the estate and the Lieu-dit. The quality of the vintage also determines the price of a cuvée. The price also varies depending on whether it is a Villages appellation wine or a Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru. At Vinatis, discover a selection of bottles of Nuits Saint Georges for all budgets, with prices ranging from £35 to £150.