CHAMBERTIN, A FAMOUS AND DEMANDING GRAND CRU
Located in the northern part of the Côte de Nuits wine-growing sub-region, the Chambertin vineyard has been bearing this name since the 13th century. Producing a great legendary red wine, this appellation is the most famous of the Grands Crus of Gevrey-Chambertin. After being called Gevrey-en-Montagne until 1847, it added Chambertin to its name. In addition, the other Grands Crus produced in this town have also added this name to that of their climate (Latricières, Charmes, Ruchottes and many others).
The wines of the AOC Chambertin are renowned for their elegance, their richness, their finesse and their power, reflecting the characteristics of Pinot Noir. Due to their exceptional quality, vintage wines can be sold at prices reaching several hundred euros depending on the year.
As with other AOCs, the production of this Burgundy wine is subject to strict specifications. Thus, as for the neighboring AOCs, a vintage of Chambertin Grand Cru can be voluntarily downgraded by the winemaker as Premier Cru or even as a communal or generic appellation. This is the case when the wine is not judged to live up to the prestige of the AOC Chambertin Grand Cru.
CERTAINLY A GREAT WINE FOR AGEING
Pinots Noirs from the Côte de Nuits, especially from AOC Chambertin, are renowned for their strength, but also for their great ageing capacity. Indeed, these great red wines, cut for ageing, express their full potential after 10 years, or even after 20 years. Very structured, some vintages even have a cellaring capacity of 30 to 50 years.
A GREAT GASTRONOMIC WINE
Endowed with a certain prestige and superior quality, AOC Chambertin wines should be reserved for special occasions. This gastronomic wine is perfect for Christmas or New Years dinner, for a wedding meal and for many other big events. This Grand Cru calls for an accompaniment to match, including a nice rib of beef, lamb, game or other meats in sauce.
A HISTORIC VINEYARD
The Grand Cru Chambertin is produced in the vineyards of Burgundy in the Côte d´Or where the cultivation of vines dates back to Antiquity. At the beginning of the 6th century, the development of Christianity encouraged viticulture, in particular through the creation of large estates attached to the abbeys. The vines of a plot of Chambertin are notably bought by the monks of the abbey of Bèze. For several centuries, the vineyard belonged to the canons of Langres. The 17th and 18th centuries are marked by the transition between the production of wines by religious communities and by new entrepreneurs. In the 18th century, the exploitation of the vineyard was entrusted to a winemaker named Claude Jobert. It was also during this century that the notion of cru came to the fore. The wines are associated with a particular regional "climate" (terroir and plot), particularly at the scale of localities such as Chambertin. In the royal cellars of the Palace of Versailles, Chambertin wine enjoyed great success under Napoleon I, who made it his favorite vintage and who remained faithful to him all his life.
The Grand Cru Chambertin covers more than 13 hectares in the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin, located on the Route des Grands Crus, along the Côte de Nuits. The neighboring AOCs, also produced in this town, whose vineyard is considered one of the most prestigious in the Burgundy vineyard, are also classified Grand Cru:
- Ruchottes-Chambertin AOC
- Chambertin-Clos de Bèze AOC
- Mazis-Chambertin AOC
- Charmes-Chambertin AOC
- Chapelle-Chambertin AOC
- Latricières-Chambertin AOC
- Griotte-Chambertin AOC
- Mazoyères-Chambertin AOC
The Grand Cru Chambertin is close to other prestigious appellations such as Fixin AOC, Morey-Saint-Denis AOC or even Chambolle-Musigny AOC.
Etymology
The story goes that a peasant named Bertin, owner of land adjoining the Clos de Bèze vines cultivated by the monks, grew the same grape variety as his neighbor. He thought that this field should also produce a good wine. This was the case, since the wines of “Champ de Bertin” became as famous as those of Clos de Bèze. After the death of this peasant, the monks bought the vines. The name of the plot has remained the same, later becoming Chambertin.
