Pernand-Vergelesses

Pernand-Vergelesses lies in the northern stretch of the Côte de Beaune, a few kilometers from Beaune, but not on the line of the Côte: the village is set back, at the head of a small valley open to the south, at the foot of the hill of Corton, which it shares with Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix-Serrigny. The present name dates from 1922, when the commune of Pernand added to its own the name of one of its most reputed climats, the Vergelesses; the Village appellation was recognized by the decree of December 8, 1936.

The vines face mainly east and south, between 250 and 300 meters. Lower down the soils are clay-limestone, mixed with siliceous fragments; mid-slope they become calcareous and stony, suited to Pinot Noir; higher up the brown and yellowish marls host Chardonnay. Red and white split the area in production almost evenly: about 77 hectares and 70 in 2022. Eight climats are Premier Cru, among them Île des Vergelesses and Vergelesses; on the flank of the hill of Corton the commune also holds parcels of the Grands Crus Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, and Charlemagne. According to tradition, in 775 Charlemagne gave vines on this hill to the collegiate church of Saulieu.

The reds smell of small red fruits and stone fruits and with the years turn toward forest floor, over well-knit tannins; the whites recall citrus, almond, and hazelnut. The village also has a theatrical history: Jacques Copeau, founder of the Vieux-Colombier, settled here in 1925 with his company. The available bottles of Pernand-Vergelesses, when there are any, appear further down.