Located around the southern side of Corton hill, the tiny village of Pernand-Vergelesses sits at 820-980 feet in elevation. The appellation Pernand-Vergelesses is an irregular shape on the map due to the geography of the wine friendly areas hugging the slopes up the valleys leading to this steep, quiet and attractive Cote de Beaune village. The first part of the name of the town, Pernand, dates back to Celtic times and the second part, Vergelesses, was added in 1922.

Terroir

Chardonnay is grown further up the slopes in marl, which is sedimentary soil consisting of clay and lime. Slightly lower on the slope, Pinot Noir is grown in limestone-rich pebble filled dirt. Vineyards are mostly east or south facing, depending on locations in the valley.

Pernand-Vergelesses Blancs

We encourage you to try the racy, mineral whites of this village blanc –  Laleure-Piot 2011 Pernand-Vergelesses or the even more exciting Laleure-Piot 2011 Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Creux De La Net, both now made by L’oenologue at Maison Champy, Dimitri Bazas. Maison Champy bought Domaine Laleure-Piot of Pernand-Vergelesses in 2010 and began to convert the vineyards to organic and biodynamic farming. Skilled winemaking and organic farming practices have contributed to a significant increase in quality of these Pernand-Vergelesses wines.

An invitation to compare the northern Cote de Beaune whites

An interesting comparison might be Pernand-Vergelesses to the much higher priced and storied Corton-Charlegmagne vineyards, just across the valley on Corton hill. A fun northern Cote de Beaune blanc tasting might begin with the Le Grappin Savigny-les-Beaune Blanc, then move on to the two Pernand-Vergelesses and finishing with the Domaine Michel Mallard et fils 2010 Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne. If you have had the privilege of tasting it and already know that you enjoy Corton-Charlmagne, then these nearby terroirs might be appealing discoveries.

 

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A map of Pernand-Vergelesses showing the hill of Corton to the east

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