Mercury

Mercurey is one of the most important appellations in the Côte Chalonnaise and is known for its characterful red Burgundy wines with structure and depth. Unlike many of the better-known villages in the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, Mercurey offers a clear Burgundy profile, but with its own, slightly more robust signature.

Mercurey's position within Burgundy

Mercurey is located in the Côte Chalonnaise , south of the Côte de Beaune. Within this region, Mercurey is the largest and most prestigious appellation, especially for red wine.

Why is Mercurey often seen as the red heart of the Côte Chalonnaise?
Because most of the quality wines here are red and Pinot Noir is pronounced and structured.

Soil and terroir

Mercurey's soils consist primarily of limestone and clay, similar to those of the Côte de Beaune further north. The vineyards are situated on gently sloping slopes with good exposure, which ensures full ripeness of the grapes and retention of freshness.

This combination produces wines with more structure and grip than many other wines from the Côte Chalonnaise.

Red and white from Mercurey

Red wine

Red Mercurey is made from Pinot Noir and forms the foundation of the appellation. The wines are distinctly Burgundian, but often display a bit more power and robustness than their counterparts from more elegant villages.

Characteristic of red Mercurey:

• solid structure
• clear tannins
• ripe but controlled fruit
• suitable for maturing for several years

White wine

Besides red, Mercurey also produces white Chardonnay wine . These wines are less well-known, but offer a serious, balanced style with freshness and structure. They represent an interesting alternative to white Burgundy outside the Côte de Beaune.

Premier Cru vineyards

Mercurey boasts a significant number of Premier Cru vineyards , underscoring the appellation's quality and reputation. These plots produce wines with additional concentration, length, and aging potential compared to village wines.

Premier Cru Mercurey shows that the Côte Chalonnaise can be more than just entry-level Burgundy.

Style comparison within Burgundy

Compared to villages in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, Mercurey is generally:

• slightly more powerful than Volnay
• less refined than Vosne-Romanée
• firmer and more serious than many Mâcon wines

This position makes Mercurey attractive to enthusiasts who are looking for structure, but do not necessarily want the price level of the northern Côte.

Who is Mercurey suitable for?

Mercurey is particularly suited to lovers of red Burgundy with character and grip. The wines offer clarity, structure, and provenance, without being excessively restrained or fragile.

Mercurey is also a logical next step for those who want to explore Burgundy beyond the best-known names.

Mercurey at Perfectewijn.nl

At Perfecte Wijn, you'll find Mercurey for those seeking authentic Burgundy with structure and depth. This appellation showcases the Côte Chalonnaise's distinctive character, with its serious Pinot Noir and surprisingly good Chardonnay.