Gevrey Chambertin

The Legend and the Glory of France

These wines are considered to be the most prestigious and monumental expressions of the Pinot Noir grape in the famous land of Burgundy. Defined by many critics as the "Côte de Grand Crus" for the presence of 9 of the 27 Grand Crus of the entire region, it is one of the most acclaimed and historic territories of France. Its name originates from the town of the same name at the gateway to the Côte de Nuits in the heart of the Côte d'Or region. Its history is lost in the mists of time and probably began with a young boy named Bertin who, back in 640 AD, planted some vines near the Bèze Abbey. The "champ" that was cultivated, a French term used to indicate plots of land, merged with the boy's name, creating the acclaimed and famous Chambertin vineyard. It is also said that Napoleon particularly liked the French wines produced here and always took the bottles with him during his exploits in battle, sometimes even letting them age for several years. This explains why these red wines had a special ability to age in the past. In 1847, it was the first appellation to be allowed to add the prestigious name of cru Chambertin to the original name Gevrey, by which it was known in the past. Officially recognised in September 1936 as Gevrey Chambertin AOC, it is divided into Village, Premier Cru and Grand Cru. According to the appellation, these red wines must be made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes in the village of the same name or in the neighbouring village of Brochon. The Grand Cru are produced in the southernmost area on the border with More-St. Denis, while the Premier Cru are produced in the northernmost part, in the renamed "Côte de Saint-Jacques", where the vines climb to an altitude of 350 metres.

The 9 Stars of Gevrey Chambertin

In France, more than in any other country, the concept of terroir, which is understood to be a set of climatic and morphological factors typical of a microzone, is of fundamental importance for the quality of the final product. In Burgundy, the finest wines of a terroir are known as Grand Cru. In Gevrey there are no less than 9 of them, which are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are acclaimed and sought after all over the world. Chambertin is undoubtedly the most famous, giving its name to the entire denomination. The 12.9 hectares cultivated by 21 local producers on very small plots, the largest of which is not even 2 hectares, are located in the northernmost part of the hill, bordered to the north by Clos-de-Beze and to the south by Latricieres, and to the east by the Rue de Grands Crus (the scenic road that crosses the area) and to the west by unspoilt woods. Situated between 270 and 280 metres above sea level, it enjoys an Atlantic climate and has an eastern exposure towards the rising sun. The vines ripen to perfection and are gently caressed by the cool breezes that constantly blow through the chiselled and neat rows. The soil is composed of limestone and a very fine layer of brown rock, marl and silt, which is rich in minerals and fossils. The Clos de Bèze is the oldest Cru in the area, founded in 640 AD by the monks of the Bèze Abbey. It is surrounded by beautiful stone walls and covers an area of 15 hectares. The brown soils, slightly steeper than its famous neighbour, are composed of a combination of white stone, limestone and marl. This results in more elegant and fine expressions. This is followed by Latricières, which covers 7 hectares and is characterised by less deep and thin soil, Charmes, which is the largest with 20 hectares to the east of the Route de Grand Crus and is characterised by red, pebbly soil that gives rise to red wines of extreme longevity, Griotte, which covers 3 hectares in a small basin on thin soil, Capelle, which is named after a small church, spread over 5.5 hectares and produces the subtlest and most delicate expressions of the place, and finally, Mazis, which is just over 9 hectares divided into 17 plots where the Gevrey Chambertin Domaine Faiveley wines are produced. These are reds with a distinct and intense profile, equipped with tannins, floral aromas and notes of underbrush.

Profile and Pairings

This noble Burgundy wine has an aristocratic, luminous ruby-red coat that changes to deep garnet in its more mature versions. Strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, dark berry, violet and rose create a very broad, layered and refined bouquet which, as it evolves in the bottle, can be enriched with aromas of truffle, leather, liquorice, undergrowth and earth. On the palate it is a calibrated and profound harmony of ingredients that are elegantly, finely and delicately guided by a pleasant freshness and lovely tannins. These are hearty, velvety and noble red wines that reach their full maturity after at least 15 years in the bottle. On the table, they can be served with tasty dishes, such as those proposed by the local cuisine. The best Gevrey Chambertin pairings are with Burgundy-style beef, boiled meats with dijon mustard, lamb in sauce, tripe sausages (known as andouillette), escargot à la bourguignonne (the famous stewed snails), stewed coq au vin, game or noble poultry.

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