Santenay wine: red and white Burgundy from the Côte de Beaune
Santenay wine comes from a village at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune, where Burgundy makes both red and white wines with fresh fruit and a firm frame. Santenay was recognised as a village appellation in 1936 and covers vineyards in the communes of Santenay and Remigny. Red is the main event: about 85 percent of production is red and the rest white. The reds are made from Pinot Noir, while the whites are almost always 100 percent Chardonnay, although Pinot Blanc is also permitted.
The vines grow on limestone slopes with clay and marl. Red Santenay shows dark cherry fruit and firm tannins. The wines once had a reputation for being rustic, but a new generation of growers handles the tannins with more precision, and today the style is structured yet more refined. White Santenay is fresh and mineral, with citrus, white flowers and a nutty edge.
Santenay Premier Cru: Gravières, Clos de Tavannes and Clos Rousseau
There is no grand cru in Santenay, but a large share of the vineyard area is classified premier cru. The climats sit in three groups: in the north east on the border with Chassagne-Montrachet, where they form a continuous band with that village's premiers crus, on the slope above the village, and to the west towards Maranges. Les Gravières and Clos de Tavannes are the best known names and give both red and white. La Comme, Beauregard, Beaurepaire, Passetemps, La Maladière, Clos des Mouches, Clos Faubard, Grand Clos Rousseau and Clos Rousseau complete the list. A label that simply says Santenay 1er Cru may be a blend of several premier cru vineyards.
Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard makes Clos de Tavannes across several vintages, and Domaine Hubert Lamy bottles Clos des Gravières in red and white. Grand Clos Rousseau comes from both Sylvain Morey and Thomas Morey, and Louis Lequin & Fils makes La Comme. Domaine Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey has La Comme and Gravières, Domaine Chanzy has Beaurepaire and Gravières, Domaine Roger Belland has Beauregard in both colours, and Vincent Girardin and Maison Harbour each make a Gravières.
Santenay red and white wine producers
Among the village wines, Paul Pillot's Vieilles Vignes Rouge is a fine place to start, and Louis Lequin makes a Clos Genet. Domaine Hubert Lamy makes Clos des Hâtes, Domaine Vincent et Sophie Morey has Les Hâtes in red and white, and Philippe Colin is behind Clos Saint Jean. For white Santenay, look at Jean Chartron's Les Pierres Sèches and Marthe Henry's Le Bievaux. From the larger houses there is Clos de Malte from Maison Louis Jadot and a Santenay Rouge from Olivier Leflaive.
Santenay with food
Red Santenay works with duck breast, chicken in red wine sauce, veal, lamb and mushroom dishes. A premier cru from Clos de Tavannes or Gravières can take roast beef or game. White Santenay suits fish in butter sauce, scallops, lobster and poultry, as well as firm cheeses such as Comté.
Santenay wine FAQ
Is Santenay red or white?
Both. About 85 percent is red wine from Pinot Noir, and the rest is white, almost always from Chardonnay.
What does Santenay 1er Cru mean?
The wine comes from one of the village's premier cru vineyards, such as Les Gravières, La Comme or Clos de Tavannes. Santenay has no grand cru, so premier cru is the top level.
What does Santenay taste like?
The red has dark cherry fruit and a firm structure. The white is fresh and mineral, with citrus and nutty notes.
How long can you age Santenay?
It depends on the style. The deepest red premiers crus are built to age for many years, while the lighter village reds and most whites are best enjoyed young and fresh. For more from the Côte de Beaune, see our Pommard page.