📜 Charmes-Chambertin

Charmes-Chambertin is a protected designation of origin (AOC/PDO) for still red wines from the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin in the Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France. According to its specification, homologated by decree no. 2011-1442 of 3 November 2011, the name was first recognised by a decree of 31 July 1937. The name may be followed by the words «grand cru».

The grapes are harvested and the wines made and aged in the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin, in the Côte-d'Or department. The vines must lie in the parcel area approved by the national institute INAO on 17 and 18 May 1984. According to the specification, the plots are in the places called «Aux Charmes» and «Mazoyères», and wines from the Mazoyères plots, immediately to the south, may use the name Charmes-Chambertin.

The main variety is Pinot Noir. Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris are accessory varieties, limited to 15% of each parcel and only in mixed planting. The minimum planting density is 9,000 vines per hectare, with at most 8 buds per vine and a maximum average load of 8,000 kg per hectare. Irrigation is forbidden.

Grapes must contain at least 198 g of sugar per litre of must, and the wines a natural alcoholic strength of at least 11.5%. The yield is 45 hectolitres per hectare, with a ceiling of 53. Finished wines contain at most 2 g of fermentable sugar per litre, and after enrichment they may not exceed 14.5% total alcohol. The wines are aged at least until 15 June of the year after the harvest and sold to consumers from 30 June of that year.

According to the specification, the soils are thin, mostly carbonate and well drained, with a high share of red clay and silt, and the climate is cool oceanic.