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The picturesque city of Beaune has since the 14th century been the commercial pulse of the Burgundian wine trade. Its vineyards, the most extensive of the Côte de Beaune, cover 1,111 acres between Savigny, to the north, and Pommard, to the south. There are no grand cru vineyards in the commune of Beaune, yet its 36 premier cru vineyards occupy 795 acres, over double the 317 acres under the Beaune village appellation. Vineyards under the Côte de Beaune-Villages appellation constitute a further 128 acres. The Beaune and Beaune premier cru vineyards are ranked as such for both red and white wines, yet the latter account for only 4.5 percent of the average annual production of 11,929 hectolitres (137,200 cases). History estimates that Beaune was colonized in 52 B.C. on the site of one of Julius Caesar's military camps. Speculations on the original name vary: from "belna," a small villa; or "Belen," a Gallic deity; or a corruption of "Belisana," alias of the goddess Minerva. Beaune's importance grew after the destruction of the city of Autun in the 6th century, and Gregory of Tours' history of France, written in 570, already documented its importance in the culture of the vine. Formally chartered as a city in 1203, Beaune remained the residence of the dukes of Burgundy until supplanted by Dijon in the late 1300s; it was during the bloody period that followed Beaune's destruction by fire in 1401, under Louis XI and Charles XIII, that the massive fortified walls and pentangular castle, which still stand today, were built. The vineyard of Les Grèves is the largest of Beaune's premiers crus, with 77.5 acres in the north-central part of the commune covering the slope above the city of Beaune. It is bordered on the south by the Sur les Grèves and Theurons vineyards, and on the north by the Toussaints and Bressandes vineyards. Maison Louis Jadot holds a long-term contract over 5.6 acres in Grèves, of which 2.47 acres are planted in Pinot Noir vines and the balance in Chardonnay. The red vine parcel yields an exceptionally lush, fruity, fat and approachably rich wine with a supple, medium-full structure and sweet cherry and berry flavors enhanced by subtle nuances of oak and grilled nuts. |
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