Corton: Burgundy's largest grand cru on a single hill
Corton is the name of a distinctive wooded hill at the northern end of the Côte de Beaune, and of the grand cru wines grown on its slopes. Three villages share the hill: Aloxe-Corton, Ladoix-Serrigny and Pernand-Vergelesses. Corton is the only red grand cru in the whole Côte de Beaune and, by area, the largest grand cru in Burgundy. Corton and Corton-Charlemagne both received their appellation in 1937.
Three grand cru appellations overlap on the hill. Corton gives red wine and a small amount of white, Corton-Charlemagne is white only, and the rarely used Charlemagne appellation is white too. Many parcels may be declared as either, so the same soil can become red Corton or white Corton-Charlemagne. This page brings the three grand cru appellations together with Aloxe-Corton, the village at the foot of the hill.
Red Corton Grand Cru: Bressandes, Clos du Roi and Renardes
By far the largest share of Corton is red wine from Pinot Noir. Unlike most grands crus of the Côte d'Or, Corton almost always carries the vineyard name on the label next to the word Corton. That is why you see bottles such as Corton Bressandes, Corton Clos du Roi, Corton Renardes, Corton Perrières, Corton Rognet and Corton Les Grèves. The appellation covers more than 30 named vineyards across the three villages, and the wines differ noticeably: some are firm and tannic, others more open and fruit driven.
Producers include Philippe Pacalet and Tollot-Beaut with Corton Bressandes, Domaine de la Vougeraie and Dubreuil-Fontaine with Clos du Roi, and Méo-Camuzet with Les Perrières. Bouchard Père & Fils makes Le Corton, and Domaine des Croix, Bruno Clavelier, Ponsot, Domaine d'Ardhuy and Domaine Maillard are also here. Young red Corton is firm and structured and needs a few years in bottle before it opens up.
Corton-Charlemagne: white grand cru from the upper slopes
Corton-Charlemagne is white wine from Chardonnay and comes mostly from the upper parts of the hill. The name is tied to the emperor Charlemagne, who according to tradition owned the hill. A later legend says white grapes were planted because his wife wanted a wine that would not stain his beard. The oldest documented trace is a 1375 lease of a Clos de Charlemagne.
Unlike red Corton, the vineyard name usually does not appear on the label. The wine is often taut and mineral when young and turns nuttier and broader with age. Dubreuil-Fontaine, Bruno Clair, Henri Clerc, Alvina Pernot, Jean Chartron and Vincent Girardin all make Corton-Charlemagne. Domaine de la Vougeraie uses the rare Charlemagne Grand Cru appellation. To compare it with the Côte de Beaune's other great white grand cru, see our page on Montrachet Grand Cru.
Aloxe-Corton: village and premier cru wines at the foot of the hill
Aloxe-Corton became an appellation of its own in 1938 and covers vineyards in Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix-Serrigny. Almost all Aloxe-Corton is red. Below grand cru level you find village wines and premier cru vineyards such as Les Vercots, Les Guérets, Les Valozières and Les Fournières. The wines resemble Corton in style but are usually ready to drink a little sooner. Tollot-Beaut, Dubreuil-Fontaine, Domaine Marey and Romuald Valot are among the producers. For more red Côte de Beaune, see our Volnay page.
Corton FAQ
What is the difference between Corton and Corton-Charlemagne?
Corton is the hill's grand cru mainly for red wine from Pinot Noir, with a small share of white Corton. Corton-Charlemagne is a separate grand cru appellation that produces only white wine from Chardonnay.
Is Aloxe-Corton the same as Corton Grand Cru?
No. Aloxe-Corton is the village appellation with village and premier cru wines. If the label says only Corton or Corton-Charlemagne, it is grand cru.
What food goes with Corton Grand Cru?
Red Corton suits game, duck, roast beef and mushroom dishes. Corton-Charlemagne suits lobster, turbot, poultry in cream sauce and aged Comté.
How long can you keep Corton wine?
Both red Corton and Corton-Charlemagne are built to age. Many are at their best after five to ten years, and the finest vintages can develop for much longer.