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Hautes-Côtes-de-Nuits is a wine appellation in the Burgundy region, and more precisely in the villages located to the west of the Côte de Nuits. The region is world-renowned, with no fewer than 84 appellations in all. The Hautes Côtes de Nuits have held the AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) label since 1961, and produce red, white and some rosé wines.
Bourgogne-Hautes-Côtes-de-Nuits, a recent return to the forefront of the wine scene
The history of the Hautes Côtes de Nuits logically follows the historical path of the region from which the villages originate: Burgundy. In the heart of the Côte de Nuit, these small villages benefit from the quality of the vineyards and the policies of the time. At the beginning of the 6th century, the religious establishment of Christianity in this region favored wine production, through land bequeathed to abbeys and cultivated by monks.
More than 800 years later, in 1395, Philippe le Hardi wanted to improve the quality of his wines and imposed an all-Pinot Noir grape variety.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that wines from these plots came back to the fore, as it became clear that the hillsides could produce a truly remarkable quality of wine. The appellation was created in 1961 and today covers 20 communes in the Hautes Côtes and Côte de Nuits regions.
The jewel of Burgundy, the Bourgogne-Hautes-Côtes-de-Nuits vineyards cover several hundred hectares!
The appellation is located in the heart of the Côte d’Or, more precisely in the Hautes Côtes vineyards, and crosses the entire territory starting just above the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin and ending in Corton. To date, the production area dedicated to red and rosé wines covers almost 600 hectares, and that dedicated to white wines around 135 hectares. The soils are definitely clay-limestone, with limestone characteristic of the Jurassic era. Vineyard elevations range from 300 to 400 meters.
Balanced or lively and powerful, each Bourgogne-Hautes-Côtes-de-Nuits has its own character!
The experience of Hautes Côtes de Nuits wines varies logically from one type of wine to another, whether red or white.
The red wines, made from Pinot Noir grapes, have a singularly crimson color. The nose reveals fruity notes, such as raspberry and cherry, but also hints of licorice and even violet. This wine is decidedly frank and firm on the palate, offering good balance without any excess of tannin or fat. It is generally consumed between 3 and 10 years of age.
White wines are made from Chardonnay and – very rarely – Pinot Gris or Blanc. Its color could be described as white gold, quite pale, or sometimes yellow. On the nose, white Hautes Côtes de Nuits are very natural, with aromas of hawthorn and honeysuckle, as well as other fruity aromas of apple and lemon, mixed with hints of hazelnut. On the palate, this white wine is full-bodied with good acidity, which means it ages well, and can be enjoyed between 2 and 8 years!
Burgundy-Hautes-Côtes-de-Nuits, partners for generous, family-style dishes
The red wines express a fine balance between tannin and acidity, making them reasonably robust. It’s the perfect accompaniment to sweet and savory dishes, such as duck with orange sauce or tagine. It is also a perfect accompaniment to white meats such as rabbit. As for cheese, why not enjoy your red wine with Reblochon or Morbier cheese? It is best enjoyed at a temperature of around 16°C.
The white wines, on the other hand, reveal an unmistakably acidic, lively character. This makes it an ideal accompaniment to strong flavors such as marbled ham or snails. It is also a perfect partner for fish and shellfish. As far as cheeses are concerned, you can try it with Roquefort, mature Comté or Chaource, for example.
Burgundy-Hautes-Côtes-de-Nuits estates put quality first
Domaine des Perdrix
Domaine des Perdrix is a family jewel, taken over by the Devillard family in 1996. The estate covers 12 hectares and produces wines from great terroirs: Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru “Aux Perdrix” and Echezeaux Grand Cru. The Hautes Côtes de Nuits represent 0.45 hectares of the vineyard. More than half the vines on this estate are classified as Premiers Crus and Grands Crus. The pride of the estate? Their numerous awards in blind tastings! As you can see, quality is the watchword here!
Domaine David Duband
The history of this Burgundy Hautes Côtes de Nuits estate began in 1965, when the estate owned 15 hectares, the harvest of which was dedicated to the Beaune wine cooperative. Through hard work and passion, the estate gradually expanded. In 1991, the domaine began selling its own bottles, gradually purchasing new Grands Crus, including Echezeaux, Chambertin and Latricières-Chambertin. The estate is committed to producing wines of excellence rather than intellectualizing wine!
