Meursault

The first of the Côte de Beaune’s triumvirate of Chardonnay villages (along with Puligny- and Chassagne-Montrachet), Meursault lies south of Monthélie. The large village (covering close to 400 hectares) is the only one of the famous trio not to have a single Grand Cru to its name, although that certainly hasn’t held it back. It typically produces the richest, most generous and voluptuous style of Chardonnay.

This typicity is changing however; alongside the round, buttery, nutty wines, now you’ll also find more modern, flinty, mineral styles too – with fashion influencing what is the “norm” when it comes to winemaking here.

There is a tiny bit of Pinot Noir, mainly in village plots, but also Premier Cru Santenots (given Volnay’s name, but technically in Meursault) and François Mikulski’s plot of Meursault Premier Cru Caillerets, as well as Blagny Premier Cru La Pièce sous le Bois. While white is taking over here, the red that remains offers brilliant value). There are 17 Premiers Crus, but the best Chardonnay hails from Perrières, Charmes and Genevrières.

There is a litany of top producers here, including Domaine Roulot, François Mikulski, Domaine des Comtes Lafon, Domaine François & Antoine Jobard, Patrick Javillier, Vincent Girardin, Arnaud Ente, Bernard-Bonin, Henri Germain, Latour-Giraud, Henri Boillot and Coche-Dury.