Location and landscape
Vosne-Romanée is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department in the Burgundy region Burgundy. It lies in the arrondissement of Beaune and in the canton of Nuits-Saint-Georges on the Côte de Nuits. The eponymous appellation also includes the commune of Flagey-Echézeaux.
Climate and soils
The vineyards are located on the Côte-de-Nuits slope, a tectonic relief between the higher-lying limestone plateaus of the Hautes Côtes and the Bresse plain. The predominantly east-facing areas of vines extend along the slope foot and on stony alluvial fans. The climate is cool-oceanic and is shaped by continental and southern influences. The soils consist of limestone rubble, clay and silt, and are flat, chalky and well-drained on the upper slope, while towards the slope foot they become deeper and more clay-rich.
Viticulture and wine style
The appellation is reserved for red still wines, whose most important grape variety is Pinot Noir. Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris may together make up at most 15 percent per parcel. The wines are described as ruby red, aromatic, and characterised by red fruit as well as floral notes. With ripeness, notes of undergrowth may also appear; a rather restrained acidity, velvety tannins and ageing potential are part of the described style. The commune produces six Grand Cru appellations, Flagey-Echézeaux two further ones within the area.
History and appellation rules
Viticulture in Vosne-Romanée has been documented since the Middle Ages. The Cluniac priory Saint-Vivant, founded around 890, owned vineyards here and a wine cellar. In 1866, the name of the village was changed from Vosne to Vosne-Romanée after the addition of the Crus name La Romanée had been approved. The appellation comprises 14 Premier Cru vineyard sites, including Les Suchots. At least 9,000 vines per hectare are required; irrigation is forbidden. The wines must mature for at least until 15 June of the year following the harvest.
