Beaune is a fortified town in the heart of the Burgundy wine region. Surrounded by the vineyards of the Côte d'Or, the town with its cobbled streets is famous for its annual wine auction which takes place in the Hospices de Beaune. Heir to a rich historical and architectural heritage and home to a number of trading houses, Beaune can be considered the capital of Burgundy wines.
The history of Beaune
As early as antiquity, Beaune was at the intersection of two major strategic Roman roads. All trade, as well as military equipment and troops passed through the town. The Romans were at the origin of the commercial dynamism of the city but also of the wine tradition: they were the ones who allowed this implantation.
In the 15th century, the town of Beaune held a prominent place in the Duchy of Burgundy. Before taking up residence in Dijon, the dukes stayed in the town and the parliament of Burgundy sat there until 1477.
Indeed, Beaune is an emblematic place of Franche-Comté thanks to its Hospices, jewels of Gothic architecture. Founded in 1443 by Chancellor Nicolas Rollin, the vocation of these hospices was to provide care for the poor. The Hospices de Beaune are also closely linked to the fame of Burgundy wines. In addition to being a hospital with its Hôtel Dieu, it is also a renowned wine estate.
Wineries to visit near Beaune
Veuve Ambal is the union of 6 different terroirs which represent a total of 250 hectares of vines. This location makes Veuve Ambal one of the largest owners in Burgundy in terms of surface area.
All the vineyards are managed in a reasoned way by the winegrowers who have the will to reduce their use of chemical treatments of the vine in order to give it back all its natural efficiency. This sustainable ecological management, combined with the diversity of the Burgundy house's terroirs, produces complex and rich wines.
The Domaine Lejeune, located in Pommard, has been owned by the Jullien de Pommerol family since 1850. The ancestor Max Lejeune had acquired 30 hectares of vines and the wine buildings of the Brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament . The vineyard is scattered over 10 appellations and 29 different plots, mostly planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Aligoté. The vines are on average 40 years old, and on some plots are up to 65 years old (Pommard 1er cru les Rugiens). An original vinification.
The estate is located in the heart of Burgundy in one of the most famous villages of the Côte de Beaune known in France and elsewhere: Pommard! The grape varieties used on the estate are alligoté, chardonnay and pinot noir spread over 6 hectares in the communes of Pommard, Beaune and Monthelie. The grape harvest is carried out manually and the cultivation practices are always carried out with a desire to protect the soil and the vines. The estate uses the strength of the Comtois horse to plough the vines, which is in keeping with the history of the estate.
The Domaine Philippe Cordonnier is located in the commune of Corgoloin in Burgundy, in the appellations Bourgogne Aligoté and Hautes Côtes de Beaune. The estate extends over 4.50 hectares and is cultivated in a reasoned manner, with the greatest respect for the terroir. No chemical weed killers or insecticides are used. Only the soil is worked by ploughing. The estate keeps natural grapes as in organic farming and thus allows you to faithfully appreciate the flavours of Burgundy wines.
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