Vougeot wine

Vougeot wine is produced in and around the village of Vougeot in the Côte de Nuits wine region of Burgundy, France. The name refers to wines governed by the Vougeot Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC), rather than to a single commercial winery or corporate brand. The appellation permits both red and white wines. Pinot noir is the principal grape for red Vougeot, while Chardonnay is the dominant grape for white Vougeot; Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris may be used in limited proportions under the applicable rules. Vougeot is unusual within Burgundy because most of the commune's vineyard area is occupied by the celebrated Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru vineyard. At approximately 49.86 hectares, Clos de Vougeot is the largest Grand Cru vineyard in the Côte de Nuits. Although it is geographically within the commune, Clos de Vougeot is governed by its own Grand Cru appellation and is principally associated with red wine. It should therefore be distinguished from village-level and Premier Cru Vougeot wines. The remaining vineyards eligible for the Vougeot appellation are relatively limited. Village-level Vougeot is uncommon and is concentrated largely on flatter land east of the N74 road, within the commune. Much of the other eligible land is classified as Premier Cru. Four Premier Cru climats are identified: Les Cras, La Vigne Blanche, Les Petits Vougeots, and Clos de la Perrière. Wines may be labeled with the individual climat name or simply as Vougeot Premier Cru when permitted lots are blended. The appellation's production is divided between red and white wine. Reference data for 2008 records 15.87 hectares in production at village and Premier Cru levels and approximately 526 hectoliters produced, equivalent to about 70,000 bottles. Red wine accounted for roughly 372 hectoliters, while white wine represented approximately 154 hectoliters. The vineyard area used for white Vougeot was about 3.87 hectares in 2007, illustrating the smaller role of white wine within the appellation. Vougeot wines are positioned within Burgundy's origin-based hierarchy. Their identity is determined by commune, vineyard classification, grape variety, and Burgundy production rules rather than by a unified producer, ownership group, or marketing organization. Individual domaines and négociants may bottle wines under the Vougeot designation, so style, élevage, availability, and pricing can vary substantially between producers. The appellation remains active, but no single company can be identified as the owner or operator of the Vougeot wine name.

Vougeot wine belongs to the Burgundy system of geographically defined appellations. Its identity comes from vineyards located in the commune of Vougeot, in the Côte de Nuits, rather than from a founding entrepreneur or a unified winery. The appellation permits both red and white wine and is administered through French AOC rules that specify eligible vineyard areas, grape varieties, yields, and minimum maturity requirements. The commune's vineyard geography gives Vougeot an unusual structure. A dominant share of its vineyard surface is occupied by Clos de Vougeot, a walled Grand Cru site of approximately 49.86 hectares. Clos de Vougeot is a separate appellation and is principally associated with red wine, even though Chardonnay vines within its walls may be used for wine sold under another eligible designation. The existence of this large Grand Cru vineyard means that the commune is strongly associated with Clos de Vougeot, while village-level Vougeot wines are comparatively scarce. Outside Clos de Vougeot, much of the vineyard land is classified as Premier Cru. The four named Premier Cru climats are Les Cras, La Vigne Blanche, Les Petits Vougeots, and Clos de la Perrière. These vineyards lie north of Clos de Vougeot and west of the village. Producers can identify wines by the specific climat or, where permitted, use the broader Vougeot Premier Cru designation for a blend of Premier Cru sources. Village-level Vougeot is mainly associated with a relatively small area of flatter land east of the N74 road, still within the commune. This physical concentration contributes to the appellation's limited availability. Reference production figures show that, in 2008, 15.87 hectares were producing village and Premier Cru Vougeot wine. Output was approximately 526 hectoliters, or around 70,000 bottles, divided between about 50,000 bottles of red wine and slightly more than 20,000 bottles of white wine. The red wines are based primarily on Pinot noir. The rules permit up to 15 percent in total of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris as accessory varieties, although this allowance is not commonly used. White Vougeot is based on Chardonnay and may also include Pinot Blanc; in practice, the wines are generally expected to be made entirely or almost entirely from Chardonnay. Base yield limits are stated at 40 hectoliters per hectare for red wine and 45 hectoliters per hectare for white wine. Minimum potential alcohol requirements vary by category, with higher thresholds for Premier Cru white wine. The appellation's development is therefore best understood as part of Burgundy's long-established classification and terroir framework. There is no single Vougeot wine company, headquarters, executive team, or brand owner. The name is used by individual domaines and négociants whose wines express the relevant commune or Premier Cru origin. Its modern significance rests on the combination of scarce village production, a small but recognized Premier Cru sector, and the exceptional prominence of Clos de Vougeot within the same commune.

1. 2008Village and Premier Cru production recorded

   Reference data recorded 15.87 hectares in production and approximately 526 hectoliters of wine, corresponding to about 70,000 bottles. Red wine represented approximately 372 hectoliters and white wine approximately 154 hectoliters.

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2. 2007White-wine vineyard area recorded

   Approximately 3.87 hectares of the Vougeot vineyard area were used for white wine production.

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3. Vougeot appellation established within Burgundy's AOC framework

   The Vougeot name became governed as a French appellation for red and white wines from eligible vineyards in the commune. The available reference does not specify the formal establishment year.

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4. Clos de Vougeot recognized as a separate Grand Cru appellation

   The commune's dominant vineyard area is represented by Clos de Vougeot, a separate Grand Cru site and the largest Grand Cru vineyard in the Côte de Nuits at approximately 49.86 hectares.

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A small, terroir-defined Côte de Nuits appellation offering village and Premier Cru Burgundy wines, with production overshadowed geographically and commercially by the commune's separate Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru.

• Vougeot red wineVillage appellation red wine

  Red Vougeot is made principally from Pinot noir under the Vougeot AOC. The rules allow limited use of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris as accessory grapes, up to a combined maximum of 15 percent, although this practice is uncommon. Red wines may be sold at village or Premier Cru level depending on the vineyard source.

• Vougeot white wineVillage appellation white wine

  White Vougeot is based on Chardonnay, with Pinot Blanc also permitted. Most examples are expected to be entirely Chardonnay. White production is smaller than red production, and eligible white-wine parcels represent only a limited part of the appellation's vineyard area.

• Vougeot Premier CruPremier Cru Burgundy wine

  Vougeot Premier Cru may be produced from four named climats: Les Cras, La Vigne Blanche, Les Petits Vougeots, and Clos de la Perrière. Labels may identify the individual climat or use the broader Premier Cru designation when wines from multiple eligible Premier Cru sites are blended. Both red and white styles are permitted.

1. Vougeot wine