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Côte-de-Brouilly is one of the 10 crus of Beaujolais, along with Morgon, Moulin à Vent and Brouilly for the best known. Beaujolais crus are parcels of land identified by their exceptional terroir, giving these wines the gentle name of cru.
Production takes place in four communes, all located in the Rhône department: Cercié, Odenas, Quincié-en-Beaujolais and Saint-Lager, more precisely on the slopes of Mont Brouilly.
The appellation, which has been recognized as an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) since 1938, offers only red wines made from the Gamay grape variety.
Its story begins at the summit of Mont Brouilly…
As mentioned above, Côte-de-Brouilly takes its name from Mont Brouilly, whose slopes are planted with vines. According to various legends, Mont Brouilly takes its name from a Roman officer, Officer Brulius, who made the area his home.
Côte-de-Brouilly shares much of its history with its neighbor Brouilly, another Beaujolais cru. In fact, at the beginning of the 20th century, there was little difference between them, both being called Brouilly. However, even at that time, some had already noted the difference in terroir and character between wines produced on the slopes of the Mont and others.
In recognition of their unique character, these ancestors of Côte-de-Brouilly were sometimes labelled “Brouilly Premier Cru”. Today, it is universally recognized that these are two terroirs with their own characteristics, offering two different expressions of their common grape variety: the famous Gamay.
The distinctive Côte-de-Brouilly vineyards
The Côtes de Brouilly vineyard is located on the slopes of Mont Brouilly, on the eastern edge of the Monts du Beaujolais. The appellation area lies at the heart of the Brouilly appellation and covers 312 hectares. The vines are planted on the slopes of Mont Brouilly at an altitude of between 300 and 450 metres, which gives the appellation a very pleasant climate. semi-continental with oceanic and Mediterranean influences.
In summer, you’ll find good summer heat accompanied by thunderstorms, and in winter, freezing fog and limited precipitation. As far as soils are concerned, the vineyards are mainly composed of diorite, a greenish-blue rock better known as “pierre bleue” or “roche de Brouilly”. There is also a lot of granite and schist.
AOC Côte-de-Brouilly is awine of terroir, deep and racy.
Like the other ten Beaujolais crus, Côte-de-Brouilly is a beautiful and distinctive expression of the Gamay grape variety. Its terroir gives the wine a deep, complex profile.
Its crimson-red color announces a greedy, fruity nose: aromas of fresh red fruits such as strawberry, raspberry and redcurrant blend elegantly with floral aromas of violet. A light peppery note completes the wine’s fragrance.
On the palate, the wine is powerful, dense and concentrated. The tannins are present and provide structure and substance. This Beaujolais cru can be enjoyed within eight years, depending on the estate from which it comes and its vinification.
Don’t hesitate to open it a little before tasting, and serve it slightly chilled (14°C) to appreciate its full potential.
What dishes should you serve Côte-de-Brouilly with?
Côte-de-Brouilly is a wine to be fully appreciated with dishes such as braised beef with carrots or capon stuffed with dried fruit.
These examples are mainly there to illustrate and whet your appetite, or why not give you some ideas for Sunday lunch at your in-laws’.
More generally, Côte-de-Brouilly is a Beaujolais cru that goes well with red meats, roast poultry or poultry in sauce, and moderately strong cheeses.
What are the best vintages for Côte-de-Brouilly?
The years 2011, 2015 and 2018 were noted as exceptional years, while 2014, 2016 and 2017 were noted as great vintages.
2 AOC Côte de Brouilly estates to discover, between tradition and innovation
Domaine Baron de l’Ecluse
Located in Odenas, the Baron de L’Ecluse estate vineyard covers 5.5 hectares of Côtes de Brouilly cru. The wines come from two different plots, each with its own distinctive character.
The first is made up of 4 hectares of east- and south-facing schist, the juice from which gives the wine its robust structure. The second is a granitic arena of about 1 ha, facing south-west, which gives freshness and fruit.
The estate is planted mainly with old vines, with an average age of 60 years. The wines are vinified with respect for tradition and the vines. The vines are hand-harvested, and the estate is currently taking part in an agro-environmental experiment using insect mating disruption to stop using pesticides.
The work of winemaker Jean-François Pegaz is remarkable, and numerous awards prove it.
Domaine Pierre Cotton
Pierre Cotton is part of a new generation of Côte de Brouilly winemakers who are revitalizing this beautiful Beaujolais region. Born into a family of winegrowers, he went off to study in the Loire-Atlantique region.
He then joined the family domaine in Odenas, on the Côte de Brouilly, to work with his father Guy. But full of enthusiasm, he quickly developed a wine production under his own name.
The estate is entirely farmed organically, and produces “natural” wines, i.e. with a minimum of human intervention. Today, he produces four cuvées, two of which are Côtes de Brouilly.
His wines are incredibly pure and reflect their terroir. Pierre Cotton continues to amaze us with his natural wines!
