Location and climate
Chambolle-Musigny is a municipality in Burgundy, in the Côte de Nuits wine-growing region between Dijon and Nuits-Saint-Georges. The geographical area of the eponymous appellation is limited to the municipality in the Côte-d’Or department. The climate is cool-oceanic and is moderated by continental and southern influences. The annual rainfall is about 750 millimetres, and the average annual temperature is about 10.5 °C.
Relief and soils
The vineyard slopes are predominantly oriented to the east and lie at around 250 to 300 metres in altitude, so that the plots receive the morning sun. The village lies at the outlet of an incised dry valley. A gravel-rich alluvial fan extends from the valley opening; scree and gravel in the valley floor ensure good drainage. The geological subsoil consists of limestone from the Middle Jurassic (Bajocian and Bathonian), beneath which there is compact Comblanchien limestone and interbedded Bajocian marls. The vineyard soils are mostly shallow over Jurassic limestone, whose fissures allow roots to penetrate into the subsoil.
Wines and appellation
The Chambolle-Musigny AOC is reserved exclusively for still red wines. Pinot noir N is the most important grape variety; Chardonnay B, Pinot blanc B and Pinot gris G are permitted as supplementary varieties and may be used only as a mixed planting, together with at most 15 per cent per plot. The wines are described as ruby-coloured, with moderate acidity, fine tannins and recurring aromas of red fruit, undergrowth and violets. The appellation includes village wines as well as wines that, under the respective production conditions, may additionally carry a Climat designation, the indication “premier cru”, or both.
History and requirements
In 1878, the village added “Musigny” to its name. A ruling from 1929 reserved the designation Chambolle-Musigny for fine wines from the delimited wine-growing area of the municipality; the appellation was first recognised by decree on 11 September 1936. The requirements include at least 9,000 vines per hectare and either short pruning or a simple Guyot training system with no more than eight fruit-bearing eyes per vine. Permanent grassing of the headlands is compulsory, major changes to the shape of the land or soil structure are prohibited, and irrigation is not permitted. Wood pieces and continuous pressing may not be used. The wines must mature for at least until 15 June of the year following the harvest and may only be released to consumers after 30 June of that year.
