The Cream and the Flint: Discovering Meursault’s Signature Balance
Meursault is located in the Côte-d’Or, between Puligny-Montrachet and Volnay. The vineyards extend over calcareous soils and clay marls, at altitudes between 230 and 360 meters. The climate is continental with good temperature ranges, essential for maintaining freshness and acidity. Meursault does not have official Grand Cru, but some Premier Cru climats such as Perrières, Charmes and Genevrières are considered to be of absolute quality.
The basics
Name: Meursault AOC
Region: Burgundy, France
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol content: 13–14%
Type: still white
Serving temperature: 12–14°C
Format: 750 ml
Organoleptic characteristics
In the glass it offers a bright golden yellow color. On the nose it is a triumph of toasted hazelnut, fresh butter, golden apple, candied citrus fruits and light notes of vanilla and acacia honey. On the palate it is enveloping and full, with a creamy structure and a mineral boost that makes it balanced and never heavy. The finish is long, elegant, with hints of almond and flint.
How it is made: grape variety, vinification, aging
Meursault is made from Chardonnay vinified with complete alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels, with aging ranging from 12 to 18 months. The use of wood (even new, up to 30–40%) gives the typical buttery and toasted notes. Some producers opt for a more mineral and taut style, reducing the impact of the wood and seeking more transparency of the terroir.
Food pairings
Meursault is perfect with sole meunière, grilled lobster, scallops, veal with tuna sauce, spaghetti with clams, spaghetti carbonara, pad thai. Among cheeses, it pairs splendidly with a mature Comté, a Brie de Meaux and a semi-mature Pecorino Toscano, to enhance its structure and creaminess.
Average price
The Meursault village wines start at around 60–80 euros (e.g. Domaine Bernard-Bonin), while the Premier Cru wines such as Perrières or Charmes easily reach 120–200 euros. Cuvées from iconic producers such as Coche-Dury or Leflaive can exceed 500 euros per bottle.
Iconic producers to taste
Domaine Coche-Dury: absolute legend.
Domaine Arnaud Ente: precision and tension.
Domaine Comtes Lafon: structure and depth.
Domaine Michelot: great reliability.
Domaine Ballot-Millot: excellent quality/price ratio.
Domaine Buisson-Charles: elegance and class.
History and curiosities
Meursault has been famous since the Middle Ages for its production of white wines and is part of the “Route des Grands Crus”. The symbol of the village is the bell tower with the colored spire, one of the architectural icons of Burgundy. Despite the lack of official Grand Crus, many consider the best Premier Crus of Meursault worthy of this title.
