Maranges is the southernmost appellation of the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, just south-west of Santenay. Maranges wine is mostly red Pinot Noir with dark fruit and a firm structure, alongside a small amount of white made from Chardonnay. The range runs from village wines to Maranges Premier Cru from climats such as La Fussière, Le Clos des Rois and Les Clos Roussots.
Maranges wine: Burgundy from the southern tip of the Côte de Beaune
The appellation covers vineyards in three villages: Cheilly-lès-Maranges, Dezize-lès-Maranges and Sampigny-lès-Maranges. Administratively they sit in the Saône-et-Loire department rather than the Côte-d'Or, but in wine terms they belong to the Côte de Beaune. Until the late 1980s the wines were usually sold as Côte de Beaune-Villages. Since then Maranges has had its own appellation for both village wine and premier cru. There is no grand cru.
Around 95 per cent of production is red. Pinot Noir is the grape for the reds, while the whites are almost always made from Chardonnay, although Pinot Blanc is also permitted. The soils are clay and limestone with marl. The reds smell of cherry, strawberry and dark berries, often with a hint of violet, and they are firm and tannic in their youth. A few years in bottle softens the tannins.
Maranges Premier Cru: La Fussière, Clos des Rois and Clos Roussots
Seven climats are classified as premier cru: Les Clos Roussots, La Fussière, Clos de la Fussière, Clos de la Boutière, La Croix aux Moines, Le Clos des Rois and Le Clos des Loyères. A label that simply says Maranges 1er Cru can be a blend from several of them.
La Fussière straddles Cheilly and Dezize. Red La Fussière comes from Domaine Matrot, Domaine Battault and Vincent et Sophie Morey, and Domaine Simon Colin also makes a red from La Fussière. Domaine Duchemin offers three premiers crus side by side: Le Clos des Rois, Le Clos des Loyères and Clos de la Fussière, which makes it easy to compare the climats. Les Clos Roussots is represented by Domaine Roger Belland.
Producers of red and white Maranges
Among the red village wines, Domaine Girardin Justin, Domaine Matrot and Fiona Leroy are good places to start. They are fruitier and more approachable than the premiers crus and can be enjoyed young. André Goichot of Domaine des Guignottes makes Le Saugeot Les Guinottes, another red village Maranges worth a look.
White Maranges is rare, since only a small share of the appellation is planted for white wine. Chavy-Chouet's Les Meurées Blanc is a good example of the style.
Maranges food pairing
Red Maranges goes well with guinea fowl, duck, veal, pork and mushroom dishes. A powerful premier cru from La Fussière can take jugged hare, game or a roast of beef. White Maranges suits fish, chicken in a cream sauce and firm cheeses such as Comté. To compare with the neighbours to the north, try a red Santenay or a white Chassagne-Montrachet.
Maranges FAQ
Where is Maranges?
Maranges lies at the far southern end of the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, south-west of Santenay, in the villages of Cheilly-lès-Maranges, Dezize-lès-Maranges and Sampigny-lès-Maranges.
Is Maranges red or white wine?
Mostly red. Around 95 per cent is red wine from Pinot Noir, and the rest is white, almost always from Chardonnay.
What does Maranges 1er Cru mean?
The wine comes from one of the appellation's seven premier cru climats, such as La Fussière or Le Clos des Rois. Maranges has no grand cru, so premier cru is the top level.
How long can Maranges age?
The red premiers crus are firm when young and benefit from a few years in the cellar. Red village wines and the whites are best enjoyed young and fruity.