Photo: Pemberlaid, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Burgundy · Sub-regions
Bourgogne · Couchois
Burgundy's smallest sub-area west of the Côte Chalonnaise around Couches and Saint-Sernin-du-Plain: since 2000 its own Bourgogne Côtes du Couchois designation for firm Pinot Noir from red limestone.
Grape Varieties
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Aligoté
Most Famous Site
Couches
Vineyard Area
60 ha
Harvest
September – October
TERROIR PROFILE · Burgundy
Bourgogne · Couchois Red limestone at the edge of the Côte Chalonnaise
Bourgogne Côtes du Couchois: firm Pinot from red limestone, Burgundy's smallest sub-area.
SOILS
Limestoneprecise, mineral
Limestone delivers tension, structure and a cooler, more mineral character.
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
Marlbalanced, structured
Marl is a mix of limestone and clay — yields structured, balanced wines with acidity backbone.
CLIMATE · Cool continental
The Couchois lies on the edge of the Côte Chalonnaise and the Hautes-Côtes landscape; good east and south exposures create favourable conditions for Pinot Noir.
TOPOGRAPHY · moderate
Hills around Couches and Saint-Sernin-du-Plain; vines also grow in communes such as Dracy-lès-Couches, Saint-Maurice-lès-Couches and Saint-Pierre-de-Varennes.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Typical Flavours of the Region
Spätburgunder
RedChardonnay
WhiteAligoté
WhiteRegion aroma cloud
Burgundy overview
This sub-region is part of Burgundy. The map shows all 9 sub-regions — Bourgogne · Couchois is highlighted.
Overview
Typical Varieties
Terroir & Climate
Wine Character
The Couchois is Burgundy's smallest sub-area and lies west of the Côte Chalonnaise in the Saône-et-Loire département. Its centre is the village of Couches with its medieval castle. The Bourgogne Côtes du Couchois appellation comprises six communes, including Couches, Dracy-lès-Couches and Saint-Sernin-du-Plain. The vineyards are scattered in small plots.
The subsoil consists of granites of the old basement, clayey sandstones, Triassic clays and Jurassic limestones. Most of the vineyard area stands on multicoloured Triassic clay; clay and marl cover the Jurassic limestones. The climate is continental.
The Bourgogne Côtes du Couchois appellation is permitted exclusively for red wines from Pinot Noir. Chardonnay and Aligoté are also grown in the area, for example in the vineyard of Château de Couches, whose wines are sold as Bourgogne. The Pinot Noirs are firm and dark-fruited.
Soil Type
Red limestone, clay
Climate
Continental
Top profiles
1 detailed profiles — all filterable in the list belowAll Wineries
2 resultsEvents in Burgundy
All events in Burgundy →13 Nov – Sat, 14 November 2026
Fête des Grands Vins de Bourgogne
Tasting · Beaune
Sun, 15 November 2026
Vente des vins des Hospices de Beaune
Auction · Beaune
Mon, 16 November 2026
Paulée de Meursault
Wine dinner · Meursault
30 Jan – Sun, 31 January 2027
Saint-Vincent Tournante de Bourgogne
Wine festival · Volnay
19 Feb – Mon, 22 February 2027
Salon des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants Strasbourg
Wine fair · Straßburg
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Couchois?
The Couchois is the smallest subregion of Burgundy and lies west of the Côte Chalonnaise in the Saône-et-Loire département. The centre is the village of Couches with its medieval castle.
Which wines belong to the Bourgogne Côtes du Couchois appellation?
The appellation is permitted only for red wines from Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noirs are powerful and dark-fruited; Chardonnay and Aligoté are marketed as Bourgogne.
What is the climate like in Couchois?
The climate in Couchois is continental. The harvest runs from September to October.
Which grape varieties define Bourgogne · Couchois?
The key grape varieties in Bourgogne · Couchois are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Aligoté. The best-known vineyard is Couches.
When is the best time to visit Bourgogne · Couchois for wine?
The harvest in Bourgogne · Couchois takes place September – October – when vineyards and cellars are busiest. May to July suits tastings without harvest bustle; many estates open their tasting rooms off-season by appointment.
How many wineries are there in Bourgogne · Couchois?
Cellarmap lists 2 wineries in Bourgogne · Couchois across roughly 60 hectares of vines. Every profile shows location, contact, grape varieties and, where available, vineyards, classification and visitor information.
All wineries in Bourgogne · Couchois, A to Z
📖 Look up in glossary
All terms →Related wine terms — clearly explained in the Cellarmap glossary.