Santenay

Santenay is located south of the Côte de Beaune and falls under the Côte-d’Or department. Santenay is one of the most famous wine villages in the region. It is not a picturesque wine village like many places in the region, but rather a large ‘wine-growing centre’. Yet Santenay’s unique location is so special that the village deserves a place on the list of most beautiful villages in Burgundy. The location has been inhabited since prehistoric times.

The climats surrounding Santenay are so unique that it has been awarded a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The vineyards there extend to the edges of the village and sometimes even a little way into the village. Up to about 500 metres, the soil consists of grey limestone. Lower down the slope are oolitic limestones, white oolite and red marl. Santenay is a Village appellation and has existed since 1936. The wines are relatively light and supple, making them very accessible. There are both red and white Santenay’s, although red predominates.

The appellation has 12 Premier Cru’s. Again, Pinot Noir is used for reds, and Chardonnay for whites. The red wines are known for their cherry-red colour and fruity aroma. The flavour has plenty of red fruit tones. The more mature wines tend to be slightly firmer with lots of tannin. Yet the wines remain supple. The white wines are aromatic, bright and fresh and full of vigour. The appellation covers about 350 hectares, of which 300 is for reds and 50 for whites.