Bourgogne · Hautes-Côtes de Beaune

The Hautes-Côtes de Beaune form the hill country west of the Côte de Beaune, in the valleys and on the plateaus behind Beaune. The wine villages include Nantoux, Orches, Meloisey, Saint-Romain and La Rochepot, whose château with its colourful tiled roof marks the landscape. The limestone cliffs of Orches and Saint-Romain form the scenic transition to the Côte, and the vineyards lie at heights of about 300 to 400 metres.

The soils consist of limestone, marl and limestone scree, shallow and stony. The climate is cooler and windier than on the Côte, and ripening begins later; in weaker years it remains difficult, while warm years deliver very good results.

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Aligoté are the varieties. The reds are fresh, fruit-driven and rather light, the whites taut and mineral. They are sold under the appellations Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune and Bourgogne Aligoté and are regarded as a good-value alternative to the famous villages of the Côte de Beaune.