Meursault AOC
Meursault AOC is a Côte de Beaune village appellation known overwhelmingly for Chardonnay, with a small amount of Pinot Noir. East- and southeast-facing slopes, Jurassic marl and limestone, and 19 Premier Cru climats produce substantial, ageworthy whites balancing texture, freshness, and site expression.
Overview
Meursault AOC surrounds its namesake village in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. Vineyards rise from lower piedmont sites toward east- and southeast-facing slopes, with many of the leading climats positioned around 260 metres. The appellation contains village vineyards and 19 Premier Cru climats but no Grand Cru AOC.
Chardonnay accounts for nearly all production, while a small quantity of Pinot Noir is permitted. The cool semi-continental climate, slope exposure, marl, limestone, and differences in soil depth create variation among sites. Producers also make distinct choices in pressing, fermentation vessel, lees work, and maturation.
Meursault is often associated with richness, but its wines range from direct and mineral to broad, layered, and long-lived. Premier Cru names such as Perrières, Charmes, and Genevrières identify specific sites rather than producer brands or informal quality categories.
The graph should connect village AOC, Premier Cru climats, lieux-dits, vineyards, producers, and wines while keeping each level distinct. This allows users to discover site differences without treating every Meursault as stylistically identical. It also separates geographic origin from cellar technique. Oak use, fermentation vessel, lees handling, and maturation can strongly affect texture and aroma, but those producer choices do not redefine the climat. Linking wines to both place and producer lets users compare site expression without assigning every stylistic difference to geology alone.
Geography & Climate
The appellation occupies the Côte de Beaune escarpment and its lower slopes around Meursault. Vineyards include east- and southeast-facing hillsides, shallow combes, mid-slope benches, and gentler terrain toward the plain.
Soils
Jurassic marl and marly limestone dominate important slopes, with patches of magnesian limestone and varied clay content. Soil depth and stone decrease or increase by position, influencing drainage, water supply, and vine vigor.
Wine Styles
Meursault is known for dry Chardonnay combining body, texture, freshness, and aging capacity, often with nut, citrus, floral, and savory development. Village and Premier Cru wines differ by site and élevage; rare reds are Pinot Noir.