Côte d'Or French wine appellation guide: location, history, wines, climate & soil
Bourgogne Côte d'Or is a regional Burgundy appellation reserved for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown within the famous Côte d'Or, the "golden slope" home to Burgundy's greatest villages.
More info about Côte d'Or
Geographic position
Eastern France, in the Côte-d'Or department, along the narrow 50 km escarpment from Dijon to the Maranges, covering both the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune, mostly on the lower slopes and plain below the village vineyards.
Origin & history
The Côte d'Or was shaped by the monks of Cluny and Cîteaux and by the Dukes of Burgundy, who in 1395 banned Gamay in favour of Pinot Noir. Its climats were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. The Bourgogne Côte d'Or name was introduced in 2017 to distinguish regional wines from this prestigious area.
Wines & grape varieties
Reds from Pinot Noir with red cherry, raspberry and gentle spice; whites from Chardonnay with citrus, apple and hazelnut. Both offer a true Burgundy style at a more accessible price.
Climate & soil
Semi-continental climate. Limestone and marl slopes with clay and alluvium at the foot.
Wine region: Burgundy
Grape varieties: Chardonnay, Gamay, Pinot Noir