Location and Delimitation
La Grande Rue is a Grand Cru appellation and a climat in the commune of Vosne-Romanée on the Côte-d’Or in the Côte de Nuits in Burgundy. The delimited vineyard areas form a narrow, elongated band on the hillside at around 250 to 290 metres above sea level. The legally defined area includes, among other things, 1.4207 hectares in La Grande Rue as well as adjacent plots in Les Gaudichots totalling 0.2308 hectares.
Climate and Soils
The temperate oceanic climate is shaped by continental and southern influences. The annual rainfall amount is around 750 millimetres, and the average annual temperature is about 10.5 °C. The climat is protected from morning fog and spring frost and receives plenty of sunshine.
The gently sloping site, oriented towards the rising sun, lies slightly above the plain. The brown calcareous soils are relatively shallow in the upper area and further down are characterised by deeper rendzinas. The bedrock is hard limestone from Premeaux from the Jura; the calcareous subsoil ensures drainage.
Vines and Requirements
Pinot Noir is the principal and prescribed grape variety. Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris may be used as accessory grape varieties in the mixed planting, but together no more than 15 percent per plot. At least 9,000 vines per hectare are required, with short training or single Guyot with at most eight fruit-bearing eyes per vine. Chemical weed control, permanent cultivation of the headlands, a significant alteration of the soil profile and irrigation are not permitted.
Wine and History
The appellation is reserved exclusively for still red wines. They are described as powerful yet also fine, with notes of red and black fruits, spices, flowers, leather and humus, as well as an ageing potential of several decades. The name La Grande Rue has been documented since around 1450. After classification within the Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru, the climat was recognised as its own AOC on 2 July 1992. The wines must ripen for at least until 15 June of the year following the harvest; continuous pressing is forbidden.
