TERROIR PROFILE
Bourgogne · Grand Auxerrois
Kimmeridgian limestone of the Yonne
The Yonne beyond Chablis: Irancy Pinot with César, Saint-Bris as Burgundy's only Sauvignon appellation.
Climate, site & wine
At Irancy the slopes rest on marls with Exogyra virgula from the Middle Kimmeridgian, covered by Portlandian limestone gravel. The Pinot Noirs are spicy, often blended with César.
Saint-Bris is the only place in Burgundy where Sauvignon Blanc is grown; its wines are piquantly fresh. Chardonnay from Chitry and Vézelay stays steely and chalky. Irancy lies about 18 kilometres from both Auxerre and Chablis.
TERROIR PROFILE · Burgundy
Bourgogne · Grand Auxerrois Kimmeridgian limestone of the Yonne
The Yonne beyond Chablis: Irancy Pinot with César, Saint-Bris as Burgundy's only Sauvignon appellation.
SOILS
Limestoneprecise, mineral
Limestone delivers tension, structure and a cooler, more mineral character.
Marlbalanced, structured
Marl is a mix of limestone and clay — yields structured, balanced wines with acidity backbone.
CLIMATE · Cool continental
The Yonne area lies in northern Burgundy, at the edge of viticulture. Sheltered amphitheatres such as Irancy temper conditions locally, but the climate stays cool.
TOPOGRAPHY · moderate
Irancy sits in a horseshoe-shaped bowl on the right bank of the Yonne, about 18 kilometres from Auxerre; further sites lie around Saint-Bris, Vézelay and Tonnerre.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Similar terroirs worldwide
Computed from fingerprint similarity
Obere Nahe & Alsenz-Glan
Nahe
96% similar
- Body (slightly): Bourgogne · Grand Auxerrois gives more body → fuller, more powerful wines (5 vs. 4).
Mittelmosel
Mosel
94% similar
- Sun (slightly): Bourgogne · Grand Auxerrois gets less sun → paler colour, more herbal spice (5 vs. 6).
- Minerality (slightly): Bourgogne · Grand Auxerrois is less mineral → fruit-led, rounder (8 vs. 9).
Wineries on this terroir
See all 18 →This terroir's soils in the glossary