The famous Côte de Nuits takes its name from Nuits-Saint-Georges, yet this appellation remains relatively low-key. The diversity of its wines stems from the very different soil types found north and south of the town. Primarily red, the wines of Nuits-Saint-Georges offer a beautiful balance between tannins and roundness.
Considered the “little capital” of the Côte de Nuits, which it brings to a close, Nuits-Saint-Georges is not only a bustling wine-trading hub but also the heart of a truly fascinating 309-hectare vineyard. The town is named after one of its major vineyard sites, “Les Saint-Georges,” which was added to its own name, Nuits, in 1892. While it owes its fame to the prestige of its wines, its crémant, and its production of red berries, this small town also boasts a rich and diverse architectural heritage. Embodied in its monuments, the town’s history unfolds as you stroll through its streets. In the distance, you can see the bell towers of the Church of Saint-Symphorien, built in the early 13th century, and the Church of Saint-Denis, built in the 19th century, which houses an organ from 1878 by the famous organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. The belfry on Place de la République, a designated historic monument, housed the town hall until 1833. Its square tower is topped by an octagonal lantern housing several bells, one of which dates back to 1619. This carillon sets the pace of life in this small town.
One cannot speak of Nuits-Saint-Georges without mentioning its Hospices. The successor to the medieval leper colonies, the Saint-Laurent Hospital was founded in 1633 on the initiative of Guillaume Labye, the king’s attorney. The Sisters of Charity moved in in 1692, and the hospital acquired vineyards between 1695 and 1703. This hospital-winery, less well-known than its prestigious neighbor, the Hospices de Beaune, operates in the same way, combining active medical care with a high-quality wine estate spread over 12.4 hectares around the town of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The Hospices produce their own wine (4 vintages of Nuits-Saint-Georges, 10 vintages of Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru, and one vintage of Gevrey-Chambertin) and sell, the previous year’s harvest at the Château du Clos-Vougeot on the third Sunday in March. The proceeds are allocated to their charitable works.
Nuits-Saint-Georges gave its name to the Côte de Nuits, whose wines are highly sought after by collectors of fine wines, particularly those from Vosne-Romanée and Gevrey-Chambertin. To the north of the town, extending from Vosne-Romanée, the Nuits vineyards boldly climb the hillside to an elevation of 350 m. To the south, they narrow significantly in width, drop in elevation, and, in a sort of bottleneck, reach the village of Premeaux, even extending beyond it to the “Clos de la Maréchale.” The red wines of Nuits-Saint-Georges, as a whole, exhibit an energetic and warm style. Beneath their deep color, they combine classic red fruit aromas with animal and spicy notes. The wines of Nuits-Saint-Georges are full-bodied and robust, with firm tannins that ensure they have serious aging potential. However, a clear distinction must be made between the wines from the north of Nuits—whose round, full-bodied style is reminiscent of those from Vosne-Romanée—and those from the south, which are robust and built for aging. 47% of the vineyards are classified as Premier Cru, and the appellation is eagerly awaiting the classification of Saint-Georges as a Grand Cru. The Premiers Crus of Nuits-Saint-Georges include some forty of the most renowned: Saint-Georges, Vaucrains, Aux Thorey, Les Cailles, Clos des Corvées, Les Porets, and Aux Vignerondes. The white wines of Nuits-Saint-Georges, which are rather rare, are elegant and opulent, with a bouquet dominated by notes of white flowers, honey, and vanilla, and a mineral finish that enhances their complexity.
The Birthplace of the Tastevin
Nuits-Saint-Georges is also the birthplace of the tastevin. This traditional wine-tasting tool, dating back to the 15th century, was once given to the children of winemaking families at their baptisms. It gave its name to the famous brotherhood of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, founded in 1934—in the midst of the Great Depression—by Georges Faiveley and Camille Rodier. These two men from Nuits-Saint-Georges aimed to promote Burgundy’s products—especially its great wines and regional cuisine—as well as to ensure the preservation and revival of local festivals, customs, and traditions. If you, too, love Burgundy, join the brotherhood, which already counts 12,000 knights worldwide!
