Nuits-Saint-Georges: Tasting the Fine Wines of Burgundy

This year’s promising auction lineup boasted 150 wines spanning 19 different vintages.

This abundance marking only the third occurrence in the past decade where such a generous vintage selection has been offered.

The 15th edition of the Salon des vignerons, themed “Les Nuits au grand jour,” organised by the Nuits-Saint-Georges and Premeaux-Prissey wine union, featured around thirty winegrowers from the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation showcasing their productions.

Proceeds from the auction, known as Cuvée des Bienfaiteurs, will benefit the Clément-Drevon foundation, supporting medical research in Burgundy Franche-Comté and aiding young medical researchers.

With last year’s record-breaking result reaching 3,603,000 euros, expectations are high for this year’s auction.

Journalists are always welcome at such events, and so we found ourselves in the capable hands of the team at Domaine Guy & Ivan Dufouleur.

The Dufouleur estate – established in 1596! – ranges from the village of Fixin, in the north of the Côte de Nuits, to the village of Santenay, in the south of the Côte de Beaune.

We were able to taste a range of reds – all of superb quality, and all modestly priced considering their provenance.

A 2022 from Santenay – to the south of Nuits-Saint-Georges – stood out, and we were delighted to learn we had been walking in the very vineyard in which the grapes were grown just that morning.

Our favourite however was a 2021 Fixin Premier Cru Monopole, a powerful wine with a deep cheery colour, subtle tannins, and a long finish.

It will benefit from a few more years in the bottle, but I suspect our next encounter will not be so far away!

“Remember you must die, whether you sit about moping all day long or whether on feast days you stretch out in a green field, happy with a bottle of Falernian from your innermost cellar,” – Horace (65 b.c. – 8 b.c.)

Nuits-Saint-Georges – a brief history.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, situated in the heart of the Burgundy wine region in France, has a rich history intertwined with winemaking that dates back centuries.

The origins of winemaking in Nuits-Saint-Georges can be traced to Roman times when vine cultivation began in the area. However, it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that winemaking in the region gained prominence.

During the medieval period, monasteries played a significant role in the development of winemaking practices in Nuits-Saint-Georges.

Monks recognized the area’s favorable terroir, characterized by limestone-rich soils and a temperate climate, as ideal for vine cultivation.

They meticulously tended to vineyards and refined winemaking techniques, laying the foundation for the quality wines that would come to be associated with the region.

By the 14th century, Nuits-Saint-Georges had established itself as a prominent wine-producing area.

The wines produced here gained recognition for their distinct character and quality, attracting attention from nobility and clergy across France.

Demand for Nuits-Saint-Georges wines grew steadily, leading to expansion of vineyard holdings and further refinement of winemaking methods.

Throughout the following centuries, Nuits-Saint-Georges experienced periods of prosperity and hardship, influenced by factors such as wars, economic fluctuations, and changes in viticultural practices.

Despite these challenges, winemaking in the region endured, with local vintners adapting to evolving circumstances to preserve the tradition and quality of Nuits-Saint-Georges wines.

In the 19th century, Nuits-Saint-Georges experienced a resurgence in winemaking activity.

The phylloxera epidemic, which devastated vineyards across Europe, prompted vintners in the region to replant with disease-resistant rootstocks and adopt modern viticultural techniques.

This period of rejuvenation saw the emergence of new winemaking pioneers who embraced scientific advancements while respecting the time-honored traditions that had defined Nuits-Saint-Georges wines for centuries.

By the 20th century, Nuits-Saint-Georges had firmly established itself as one of Burgundy’s premier wine-producing appellations.

The wines of Nuits-Saint-Georges gained international acclaim for their elegance, complexity, and ability to express the unique terroir of the region.

Despite occasional setbacks such as adverse weather conditions or fluctuations in market demand, the dedication of local winemakers to quality and tradition ensured the enduring reputation of Nuits-Saint-Georges wines.

Today, Nuits-Saint-Georges remains synonymous with fine Burgundian wines, made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.

The appellation’s diverse terroir, ranging from limestone slopes to alluvial plains, continues to impart distinctive characteristics to its wines, reflecting the complex interplay of soil, climate, and winemaking expertise.

With a history spanning centuries, Nuits-Saint-Georges stands as a testament to the enduring allure of Burgundy’s winemaking heritage.

Domaine Guy et Yvan Dufouleur, 15 Rue Thurot – 21700 Nuits-Saint-Georges – France
Tél : 03 80 61 09 35 – Mail : contact@domaineguyetyvandufouleur.fr