Domaine Jean-Noel Gagnard

Viticulture and winemaking have been part and parcel of civilisation for many centuries.

Wine is not only an age-old reflection of culture, life style, and conviviality, but also the noblest of drinks and the product which most links us to its terroir (or geographical origin) and the people who make it. Chassagne-Montrachet is a very privileged appellation where winegrowers are duty-bound to do their very best. The Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard clearly shares this search for excellence.

This quest is complicated by the fact that there is obviously no one single way of looking at things. In any event, we will only ever be humble interpreters of our terroir's multiple facets. Our natural preference and basic philosophy is to make wines of finesse and elegance. Our expertise, experience and passion are all devoted to these two words.

Last but not least, let us not forget that the pleasure of wine lies in tasting it rather than knowing about it!

Burgundy is one of the larger regions in Europe. Situated between the Paris Basin and the Saône Valley, and between northern Europe and the Mediterranean, Burgundy consists of four départements: the Yonne, the Nièvre, the Côte d'Or and the Saône-et-Loire. Burgundy is a diverse region, which rich and varied natural splendours. From the Morvan massif to the Bresse plains, the vine-covered Côte d'Or to the Auxois prairies, the Langres plateau to the hills of the Charollais, and the Saône Valley to the Mâconnais mounts, Burgundy's natural gifts are a joy for inhabitants and visitors alike.

A Rich Cultural Heritage

Romanesque art (Vézelay Basilica, Autun Cathedral and Cluny Abbey are prominent examples) was prevalent in the 11th and 12th centuries. Many village churches are also fine examples of this type of architecture. With the arrival of the rib vault, Gothic sculpture and architecture gradually replaced the Romanesque style. The Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy in Dijon, the Hospices de Beaune and the tomb of Phillip the Bold are all excellent examples of this period. The castles in Burgundy mostly date back to the Middle Ages. What remains of the original buildings depends on the degree of renovation over the years.
The proud Bazoches castle epitomises the feudal period, while the Château de Sully embodies the elegance and artistry of the Renaissance. The region's rich past is also reflected by castles in Tanlay, Cormatin and Ancy-le-Franc.

To understand the wines of Burgundy, whether talking about Chablis, the Côte de Nuits, or the Côtes de Beaune, it is necessary to understand the region's topography.

The vineyards of the Côte d'Or stretch some 50 kilometres (31 miles) from North to South. The region is divided into two parts identified by the two main cities they surround (in a way, their capitals): Nuits-Saint-Georges and Beaune.

The Côte de Nuits begins about twelve kilometres south of Dijon, more precisely in Fixin, and extends about twenty kilometres to the south of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The Côte de Beaune begins just south of there, in Corgoloin, and ends about thirty kilometres further south, in Santenay.

What Burgundians call "la Côte" is thus the narrow strip of land consisting of a succession of hills and slopes on which vines grow. The Côte's width varies from only 200 to 800 metres, and not all of its surface area is covered with vines.

The Côte de Beaune is located to the south of the Côte de Nuits.

An Important Religious Heritage

Two important religious orders were established in Burgundy in the Middle Ages: the Order of Saint Benedict in Cluny in the 10th century, followed by the order of Saint Bernard in Cîteaux. A number of abbeys and priories gave the region a widespread spiritual influence, which lasts to this day.
Taizé and Paray-le-Monial are visited by thousands of tourists and pilgrims every year who come to appreciate these sites' historical significance and spiritual atmosphere.

A Prestigious Historic Heritage

Many artefacts and vestiges of earlier civilisations bear witness to Burgundy's early history. These include remains dating from 18000 to 15000 BC in Solutré and the famous "Vix Treasure” from the Iron Age, with a magnificent vase believed to have belonged to a Celtic princess. Mont Beuvray, Alésia and Autun remind us of the role played by the Romans and Gauls.
In the 5th century, a nomadic people from the Danish island of Bornholm came to this part of Gaul and established the Kingdom of Burgundy. In the 14th and 15th centuries, a series of dukes presided over the golden age of Burgundy.
Phillip the Bold and his successors John the Fearless, Phillip the Good and Charles the Bold battled tirelessly to extend their empire and increase their independence, gaining power on a par with the kings of France. Burgundian cultural, political and artistic influence was widespread in Europe up until Charles the Bold's death in Nancy in 1477.
Burgundy came under the rule of the French King Louis XI following the treaty of Arras in 1482.