Nuits-Saint-Georges

Nuits-Saint-Georges is a white and red wine produced on the Côte de Nuits between Dijon and Beaune, and has held an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) designation since 1936. The appellation covers 310 hectares, but in reality, there are two distinct zones, as 140 hectares are classified as Premier Cru. As throughout Burgundy, the term "climat" is used to define the production areas. First used in 1869 by Jules Verne in his novel Around the Moon to toast his characters, these bottles eventually found their way to the moon. In May 1969, the Apollo IX crews were received in Nuits-Saint-Georges, and a case of a unique vintage, "Terre-Lune 1959," was presented to them with the intention of delivering it to the moon! The majority of the wine produced is red, and almost entirely from Pinot Noir. Their color reflects the appellation, tending towards a very dark purple. The nose may evoke rose and licorice. In their youth, the aromas are concentrated on cherry, strawberry, or blackcurrant. With age, leather, truffle, or spice become more prominent. When young, these wines can be full-bodied and robust. Aging brings them considerable smoothness. These wines often benefit from being cellared for 5 to 15 years to fully express themselves. For the white wines, the grape variety is Chardonnay, which imparts a fairly deep golden color. On the nose, one finds white flowers and brioche aromas.