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Mercurey is a wine appellation located in Burgundy, a world-renowned wine region in central-eastern France. In this region, there are eighty-four appellations with the French AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) label, including the Mercurey appellation. In the end, it’s thanks to the production of high-quality red wine (85% of its output) and white wine (15% of its output) that the vineyard has forged its reputation.
The Mercurey vineyard is a tribute to Mercury
The vineyard’s history dates back to antiquity. In fact, it was the Romans who introduced vines to the village of Mercurey. It takes its name from the temple erected by the Romans to the glory of Mercury. So it was the Romans who first cultivated Mercurey. However, it was in the Middle Ages that it developed, thanks to the support given to wine production by the Duke of Burgundy. Mercurey was popular at court, especially with the ladies, and remained so until the time of Henri IV. Unfortunately, production came to a complete halt in 1789 following the storming of the Bastille on July 14th. At the end of the 19th century, the Phylloxera crisis took its toll on the vineyards. After much effort, the Mercurey appellation parcel was finally reconstituted in its entirety by the winegrowers fighting for recognition of the appellation.
The Mercurey vines are bursting with sunshine
The vineyard is not geographically isolated. In fact, it lies next to the other vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise, a narrow area in the Saône-et-Loire département. In terms of surface area, the vineyard covers a total of 641 hectares 8 ares and 60 centiares. The climate in this geographical area is temperate oceanic with continental trends. In fact, the seasons are rather dry thanks to good exposure to the sun and moderate rainfall. The cultivated land is protected from westerly winds, the air is fairly dry and the vines can soak up the sun and light. The soils are mainly composed of marly limestone and clayey limestone, ideal for vine growth.
Mercurey is an elegant wine
Mercurey vineyards produce red wines made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Liébault and Pinot Beurot. The white wines are produced exclusively from Chardonnay.
The appellation’s red wines are characterized by their deep, even dark red color. You can also see purplish and dark garnet hues. These wines emanate primary aromas of red fruit, notably cherry, but also raspberry. The finest noses also discern fine notes of spice. On the palate, the wine is straightforward and well-structured. Dense, full-bodied, with firm tannins.
The appellation’s white wines are pale gold in color, with sparkling golden highlights. The color is limpid with a thick disk. First of all, these wines emanate aromas of white flowers, namely acacia and hawthorn, which intoxicate the senses. After that, dried fruit notes emerge, such as hazelnut or almond. These notes add a touch of elegance to the wines that will appeal to gourmet palates. Finally, Mercurey blanc is full, dense and ample on the palate, with a lovely structure enhanced by fine, constructive acidity. The finish is very pleasant indeed. The ageing potential of these wines is ten years.
Between land and sea, Mercurey chooses both
Both white and red wines from the Mercurey appellation are dry, still wines. Red wines are the perfect accompaniment to roast poultry, such as a delicious oven-roasted chicken. Red meats, such as beef tenderloin or grilled entrecôte, are perfect with a Mercurey red. A simpler dish, such as mushroom risotto, will also do nicely. Local hard cheeses are also delicious with a glass of white Mercurey. White wines are also perfect with fish, seafood or Asian cuisine, thanks to their floral and spicy notes. They can also be served as an aperitif. Red wines are best enjoyed at a temperature of 16°C, while white wines are best enjoyed at around 12°C.
Mercurey domains with distant origins
Château De Chamirey
Château de Chamirey was built on a rocky spur in the 18th century. Indeed, this location was one of the most privileged in the Mercurey commune. The estate covers almost 37 hectares, 27 of which are planted with Pinot Noire and 10 with Chardonnay. In addition, 15 hectares are classified as Premiers Crus. The estate enjoys exclusive ownership of the Premier Cru “Les Ruelles” in red and the Premier Cru “La Mission” in white. The grapes are harvested by hand, with respect for the vines and the surrounding ecosystem, to produce high-quality wines.
Maison Louis Max
Maison Louis Max, Mercurey’s leading winegrowing estate, was founded in 1859 by a certain Louis Max, straight from his native Georgia. The house is located in the commune of Nuits-Saint-Georges in the Côte de Nuits region of the Côte-d’Or department. Maison Louis Max began organic farming in the early 1990s to preserve the quality of both its wines and its soils. She was one of the pioneers of this practice and is very proud of it today.
