Clos de la Roche

Clos de la Roche is a Grand Cru appellation for red wine in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits wine region. It is located in the commune of Morey-Saint-Denis in the Côte-d'Or department, in the northern part of the commune near the boundary with Gevrey-Chambertin. The vineyard lies along the Route des Grands Crus and borders the Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru to the south. Its name includes the term “Clos,” reflecting the historical association of the site with an enclosed vineyard. The appellation is centered on Pinot noir, the principal red grape of Burgundy. Its regulations permit limited use of Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, and Pinot gris as accessory varieties, together accounting for no more than 15 percent, although such blending is practically not used in Burgundy Grand Cru production. The appellation rules also specify a base maximum yield of 35 hectolitres per hectare, a minimum planting density of 9,000 vines per hectare, and a minimum grape maturity equivalent to 11.5 percent potential alcohol. Clos de la Roche is a vineyard appellation rather than a single producer-owned wine brand. Wines sold under its name can therefore come from different domaines holding parcels within the climat. Domaine Ponsot is identified as the largest landholder, owning three of the original four hectares of the vineyard. The historic vineyard area was subsequently expanded, and 13.41 hectares were reported in production within the appellation in 2008. That year, total production was 448 hectolitres, equivalent to slightly more than 59,733 bottles. Domaine Ponsot's reported production under the Clos de la Roche Grand Cru appellation was 108.6075 hectolitres. The appellation was formally established in 1936. Its identity is consequently tied to Burgundy's regulated hierarchy of named vineyard sites, terroir-based classification, and producer-specific interpretation. The wines are positioned at the highest end of Burgundy's quality classification because the Grand Cru designation identifies the legally delimited vineyard origin rather than a broad regional or village appellation. No single company, founder, executive team, or parent group represents the appellation as a whole.

Clos de la Roche is a named vineyard site and regulated appellation in the Côte de Nuits, rather than an incorporated winery or producer-owned corporate brand. It is situated in Morey-Saint-Denis, in Burgundy's Côte-d'Or department, and forms part of the group of highly classified vineyard sites for which Burgundy is known. The site occupies the northern portion of the commune, reaches toward the border with Gevrey-Chambertin, and is positioned beside the Route des Grands Crus. Clos Saint-Denis lies immediately to its south. The word “Clos” refers to an enclosed vineyard, preserving the historical character of the site in its name. The appellation's formal regulatory recognition dates to 1936, when Clos de la Roche was established as an Appellation d'origine contrôlée for red wine. Its classification places the vineyard within Burgundy's Grand Cru system, in which the legally defined origin of grapes is central to the identity and commercial presentation of the wine. Pinot noir is the principal grape variety authorized for Clos de la Roche. The rules allow a combined maximum of 15 percent Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, and Pinot gris as accessory grapes, but this provision is generally not used in practice for Burgundy Grand Cru wines. The appellation's production framework also includes a base yield limit of 35 hectolitres per hectare, a minimum density of 9,000 vines per hectare, and a minimum grape maturity of 11.5 percent potential alcohol. The vineyard's ownership is divided among producers rather than concentrated in one appellation-wide operating company. Domaine Ponsot is described as the largest landholder, holding three of the original four hectares. The vineyard area later expanded to the current reported appellation surface. In 2008, 13.41 hectares were in production under the Clos de la Roche AOC. Total output that year reached 448 hectolitres, or slightly more than 59,733 bottles. Domaine Ponsot's reported production under the Clos de la Roche Grand Cru designation was 108.6075 hectolitres. Because multiple domaines can produce wine from parcels within the appellation, Clos de la Roche should not be treated as a single estate label with one permanent owner, management team, or product portfolio. The finished wines vary according to producer, parcel holdings, viticulture, vinification, élevage, and vintage conditions, while the appellation name identifies the regulated vineyard origin. Its principal role is therefore to designate a prestigious Burgundy terroir and the red wines made from it, not to operate as a standalone winery business.

• 2008

  Recorded production and vineyard area

  [1]Clos de la Rocheen.wikipedia.org

  The appellation had 13.41 hectares in production and produced 448 hectolitres, equivalent to slightly more than 59,733 bottles. Domaine Ponsot's reported production was 108.6075 hectolitres.

• 1936

  Clos de la Roche AOC established

  [1]Clos de la Rocheen.wikipedia.org

  Clos de la Roche received formal Appellation d'origine contrôlée recognition as a Burgundy red-wine appellation.

Prestige Burgundy Grand Cru vineyard appellation

• Red wine appellation

  Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

  The principal wine designation associated with Clos de la Roche is a Burgundy Grand Cru red wine made primarily from Pinot noir grown within the legally delimited appellation. Different domaines produce separate bottlings from their own parcels, so the designation does not identify one uniform producer or cuvée. Appellation rules permit limited accessory use of Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, and Pinot gris, although those varieties are practically not used in Burgundy Grand Cru production. The wine's identity is therefore based on vineyard origin, producer, vintage, and cellar practices.

1. 1Clos de la Rocheen.wikipedia.org