Volnay red wines are distinguished by their finesse and inimitable elegance. These bright ruby-red wines offer aromas of red berries, violets, and spices. The silky, smooth palate promises wonderful food-and-wine pairings with Charolais beef cuts.
Flanked by two major wine-growing areas—Pommard to the north and Meursault to the south— Volnay, this winegrowing village that once served as the summer residence of the Dukes of Burgundy, exudes an intimate atmosphere with its old washhouse, narrow streets, courtyards, and intertwined old houses.
Nestled against Mount Chaignot, Volnay occupies an elevated position; its vineyards slope down to National Highway 74, encircling a charming little 15th-century chapel along the way, right on the wine route. The excellent exposure of this vineyard, sheltered from wind and fog, makes Volnay an early-ripening terroir—often the first in the Côte to harvest. Its soil, which is calcareous and schistose in places, is mixed with reddish-brown silt.
Volnay wine, which is exclusively red, is distinguished by its natural elegance and inimitable finesse; the 2011 Volnay Premier Cru is a fine example of this. With a ruby color that varies in depth but always possesses a beautiful brilliance, Volnay exudes a delightful bouquet where violets and roses pleasantly complement the unmistakable bouquet of red berries, sometimes joined by hints of spice. But it is recognized above all for its extremely smooth palate, delicate texture, and velvety tannins. The Premier Crus account for a significant portion—115 hectares out of the 213 hectares of the Volnay appellation. Among them are Taille Pieds and Clos des Chênes, whose upper, stony sections produce wines with excellent aging potential. We recommend the 2020 Clos des Chênes from Château de Meursault. Les Champans and Les Caillerets, with their red clay soils, produce wines that are highly representative of the village.
They are the most unique of all; they are distinguished by their location within the Meursault appellation, covering an area of 29 ha. Their wines are entitled to the Volnay-Santenots appellation if made from Pinot Noir, but retain the Meursault Premier Cru appellation if made from Chardonnay. In the Volnay style—that is, red—these are absolutely exceptional wines, with such aromatic expression, class, and balance that they rise above the appellation and would have deserved to be classified as Grand Cru; the Santenots du Milieu section being the most remarkable. Try the Gauvain cuvée from the Hospices de Beaune to see for yourself.
The small village of Volnay
It’s definitely worth a visit! Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and treat yourself to a lovely walk up to the top of the hill, where you’ll find a breathtaking view of Volnay looking down on its neighbor—and rival—Pommard. After this pleasant walk through the vineyards, you’ll find comfort at a Volnay wine cellar over a delicious, traditional Burgundian dish like coq au vin.
