Puligny-Montrachet

In an effort to shed some light on how I study for WSET Diploma Course’s D3 exam, Le Club des Vins is running a series of posts covering wine regions. Today’s topic: Puligny-Montrachet

📍 Location

Puligny-Montrachet is a village in the Côte de Beaune district of Bourgogne’s golden hill, Côte d’Or.⠀

In a nutshell

France
Continental climate
Limetone, marl & clay
Chardonnay
2 Grand Cru’s

☁️ Climate

The village of Puligny-Montrachet lies in the St-Aubin valley and is surrounded on three sides by hills. The climate is continental with a long cold winter and a hot summer. Most of the rain falls in the winter. Biggest risks are spring frost and hail during flowering. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

🌋 Soils

The vineyards lie on the slopes with a south-, south-east facing aspect. The best vineyards are found on the Montrachet hill (“Mont” Rachet). The Montrachet hill can be divided in roughly 3 soil types. The highest section (with the famous Le Montrachet vineyard) has the deepest soils and contains high % of compact and active limestone. The lower you get on the slope the higher % marl and clay is in the soil.⠀⠀⠀

🍇 Grapes & styles

Did you know that Puligny-Montrachet contains 2 (and 2 “shared” with Chassagne) of the 6 white grand crus in Bourgogne (excl Chablis)? The wines are made from 100% Chardonnay. Chardonnay is the most versatile grape variety, it will adapt to every type of soil and climate, a real ‘terroir’ grape. Did you know that in all quality levels, except grand cru, also wines are being made from Pinot Noir here? (Up to 15% of other varieties can be added). There is even a part of Puligny-Montrachet that makes red wines under his own 1e cru label, named Blagny. ⠀

💡 Something you didn’t know (did you?)

Besides chardonnay there are also significant plantings of Pinot Blanc, which are mostly used for AOP/village wines. But what you didn’t know is that Pinot Blanc is being used up until grand cru level! No one is talking about it, but it sure is happening. 📝 Please do share your fav producers in the comments, we’d love to know 📌 ✅ For NL + BE residents: de wijnkaart van Frankrijk is beschikbaar in De Fanshop!

Your turn now

I always put a new region on instagram first. If you have any additions or comments on a region, please do share. You can drop a comment on instagram or on the website – see below. Your help is much appreciated!