Location and terroir
Saint-Aubin is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department in the Burgundy region, and the producing commune of the Saint-Aubin appellation on the Côte de Beaune. The appellation area lies in a valley set slightly back from the slope rise of the Côte de Beaune. The vineyards cover the best-exposed slopes of a closed, winding valley, with predominantly easterly and south-easterly exposure at around 300 to 350 metres above sea level. The slopes can be steep.
Soils and viticulture
The sites for white wines feature white, clay-rich and strongly calcareous soils, while the red wine plots contain a higher proportion of brown clay. The appellation includes the Premier Cru climat Le Charmois, which corresponds to the vineyard Saint-Aubin Premier Cru Les Charmois.
For the vines, there must be at least 9,000 plants per hectare, a row spacing of no more than 1.25 metres, and a spacing within the row of at least 0.50 metres. Short pruning of the vines and simple Guyot pruning are permitted. White wine is produced from Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc; for red wine, Pinot Noir is the main variety, supplemented by Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. The subsidiary grape varieties may only be present as mixed plantings and may make up no more than 15 per cent of a plot.
Wines and appellation rules
Saint-Aubin is produced as still white and red wine. The white wine is associated with freshness and fullness, the red wine with dark fruit, spice, a supple texture and a lively finish. The average maximum yield per plot is 10,500 kilograms per hectare for white wines and 9,000 kilograms for red wines.
The name AOC Saint-Aubin may be linked with the designation Premier Cru and an approved climat such as Le Charmois. The geographical designation Côte de Beaune is reserved for Saint-Aubin red wines. Harvesting, vinification, production and ageing must in principle take place within the commune. Continuous presses and the use of wooden chips are prohibited; the wines must be aged for at least until 15 March of the year following the harvest.
Historical reference
The Saint-Aubin appellation was recognised on 31 July 1937. The valley was documented already before the year 1000 as an important route of communication. A medieval fortified castle in Gamay controlled access to the valley; viticulture during the Middle Ages there is considered likely.
