AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

A Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru may add, after those words, the name of one of its 55 climats classified as Premier Cru. Here, climat refers to a vineyard place-name, not to the weather. Each of these climats can yield a white or a red wine; in 2022, they totaled 148 hectares (366 acres) in production.

1943: The Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru List

From the 18th century on, various authors published rankings of Burgundy’s crus. In the 19th century, a committee of the Beaune district carried that work further: village by village, it ranked the climats planted with fine grape varieties by the quality of their wines.

The Chassagne-Montrachet AOC was recognized by decree on July 31, 1937. Six years later, in 1943, a list of climats allowed to add Premier Cru to the appellation name completed it. They are largely the sites the committee had already placed at the top.

The Grands Crus, Montrachet among them, now have appellations of their own.

History of AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

Located in the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, the AOC Chassagne-Montrachet is one of the region's most prestigious appellations. Chassagne-Montrachet wines come from a long-standing winemaking tradition, marked by close attention to terroir and vinification techniques in both red and white wines. The "1er Cru" designation highlights high-quality plots, officially recognized since 1943.

Climate and Terroir of AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

• Climate: The appellation has a cool oceanic climate with continental influences, warm summers and cold winters, which promotes slow grape maturation. The Chassagne-Montrachet vineyard enjoys excellent sun exposure on east- and southeast-facing slopes.
• Soils: Chassagne-Montrachet’s terroir is distinguished by limestone and marl soils, rich in minerals. This soil is particularly well-suited for Burgundy’s noble grape varieties, giving the wines great aromatic complexity. The "1er Cru" classified plots are situated in the best micro-climates of the appellation and produce wines of remarkable finesse.

The Grapes of AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru wines are produced mainly from two grape varieties: Pinot Noir for red wines and Chardonnay for white wines. These emblematic Burgundy varieties express themselves fully in this unique terroir.

Style of AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Wines

Red wine: Ruby-red with garnet reflections. The aromatic profile includes red fruits (cherry, strawberry) with subtle notes of undergrowth (humus) and spices, evolving into leather and truffle with age. On the palate, AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru red wines are fine and structured, with velvety tannins and a long finish.

White wine: Pale yellow with golden reflections. The nose reveals aromas of white-fleshed fruits (pear, apple), citrus, fresh butter, and floral notes (hawthorn), evolving into hints of honey and dried fruits. These white wines are rich and full on the palate, with a mineral tension and a long, racy finish.

Best Food and Wine Pairings with AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

Here are some of the best dishes to pair with a bottle of red or white Burgundy wine from a domaine or château in AOC Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru:

• White wine: lobster or crayfish with butter, scallops, seared foie gras.
• Red wine: partridge stew, pheasant with hunter’s sauce, beef filet.

Questions About Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru

Why is the village called Chassagne-Montrachet?

The village has been called Chassagne-Montrachet since the late 19th century, when the commune of Chassagne added the name of Montrachet to its own. Montrachet, now a white Grand Cru shared with neighboring Puligny, already carried the village’s reputation.

What is Chassagne stone?

Chassagne stone is a Middle Jurassic limestone that forms the main layer of the bedrock in Chassagne-Montrachet. A quarry above the village works it as an ornamental, marble-like stone. It can be seen in Paris, notably at the Louvre.

How densely are Chassagne-Montrachet vines planted?

Chassagne-Montrachet vines are planted at a minimum of 9,000 vines per hectare (about 3,640 per acre). Rows stand no more than 1.25 meters apart, with at least 0.50 meters between vines in a row. Planting en foule, without rows, is allowed if it meets the same density.

Where can you buy Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru direct from the winemaker?

You can buy Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru direct from the winemaker on Avenue des Vins. Every wine’s page gives the name of its producer.

See also: AOC Beaune 1er Cru - AOC Santenay 1er Cru - AOC Meursault