Discover the Meursault appellation
and its Hospices de Beaune cuvées
Hospices de Beaune wines in the Meursault village and premier cru appellations
The style of Meursault wines
Meursault Blanc is the quintessential Burgundian Chardonnay: generous, naturally rich, yet remarkably precise. The characteristic aromas of the Meursault appellation combine citrus (lemon, grapefruit), fresh butter, hazelnut and white flowers. The appellation's Premiers Crus achieve exceptional complexity and depth, placing them among the world's finest white wines. After a few years' cellaring, Meursault wines evolve on notes of ripe yellow fruit, with hints of honey and undergrowth. Haute-couture ageing in our cellars gives them a lovely patina.
Ageing potential: 5 to 10 years for Meursault Village and 15 to 25 years (or even longer!) for Meursault Premiers Crus in great vintages.
Buy a Meursault wine at the Hospices de Beaune auction with Albert Bichot
Several cuvées of Meursault village or premier cru are available each year at the auction. We offer two purchase options, from a single bottle to a complete barrel. You'll also find our older vintages of Meursault immediately available on our online store. Optional personalization of the label with your name
Option 1 - Buy at the Hospices auction from just 1 bottle with Albert Bichot
Option 2 - Buy a full barrel (or a fraction) at Hospices auction
Meursault: food and wine pairings
In this appellation, Chardonnay, Burgundy's emblematic grape variety, reveals a generous, precise register, with characteristic aromas of citrus and white flowers. This natural richness and aromatic finesse go particularly well with dishes that are both structured and delicate, such as fish in sauce, shellfish or crustaceans au naturel, or fine mature cheeses.
- Seafood and shellfish (lobster, scallops)
- White truffle risotto
- Sole meunière
- Comté cheese, Gruyère
The terroir of Meursault
One of Burgundy's most famous names, Meursault is a splendid, picturesque village surrounded by prestigious neighbors: Puligny-Montrachet to the south, Volnay and Monthélie to the north and Auxey-Duresses and Saint-Aubin to the west. The appellation benefits from deep clay-limestone soils on the lower slopes, and thinner, stony limestone at higher altitudes. The east-southeast exposure and gentle slopes favor regular ripening. The vines are located between 280m and 380m above sea level.
Meursault is a terroir we know very well at Albert Bichot, as we are lucky enough to own several parcels. Examples include the Clos de Magny in the village or the splendid Premier Cru Les Charmes, both within our Domaine du Pavillon. Every year, we buy cuvées of Meursault at auction, much to our delight as éleveurs (agers) and to that of our customers. Some of these great wines have achieved exceptional results in prestigious competitions. Just as an example, our Meursault 1er Cru Genevrières Baudot vintage 2022 won the following awards at the INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE: Trophy for Best White Wine of France, Trophy for Best White Wine of Burgundy, Trophy for Best Meursault and Gold Medal (95 points). See all our awards.
Meursault climats from Hospices de Beaune estate
The three Premiers Crus owned by Domaine des Hospices de Beaune - Charmes, Genevrières and Porusots - illustrate the diversity of the Meursault terroir, each expressing a unique facet of this great Burgundy village. In addition to these sublime plots, the Domaine also owns village-classified climats. Here's the breakdown of terroirs by cuvée.
- Meursault Cuvée Goureau: Les Peutes Vignes, Les Grands Charrons, Les Cras Premier Cru
- Meursault Cuvée Loppin: Les Criots, Les Cras Premier Cru
- Meursault Charmes 1er Cru Cuvée Bahezre de Lanlay: Les Charmes Dessus, Les Charmes Dessous
- Meursault Charmes 1er Cru Cuvée Albert Grivault: Les Charmes Dessus
- Meursault Genevrières 1er Cru Cuvée Baudot: Genevrières du Dessus, Genevrières du Dessous
- Meursault Genevrières 1er Cru Cuvée Philippe le Bon: Genevrières Dessus, Genevrières Dessous
- Meursault Porusots 1er Cru Cuvée Jéhan Humblot: Les Porusots
Appellation map
Etymology & history
There are several hypotheses as to the origin of the village's name. For some, Meursault comes from the Latin "Muris Saltus" (mouse jump) or, more likely, "Muri Saltus" (wall jump or passage between two waters), a reference to a stream that once separated two distinct terroirs. This etymology refers to the village's geographical location between two valleys, a topographical feature that marked the village's identity long before its great white wines conquered the world!
One of the earliest traces of the creation of the Meursault vineyard dates back to 1098, when Duke Eudes I of Burgundy donated a Meursault plot to the Abbey of Cîteaux, created the same year. The appellation grew in both surface area and reputation over the following centuries, although at that time it was mainly a land of red wines. It wasn't until the 19th century that white wines began to dominate the scene. For our sheer pleasure!
Discover all the appellations of the Domaine des Hospices de Beaune
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Through these exceptional grands crus, each Hospices bottle tells the story of a unique terroir. With their own distinctive style, these appellations are the realm of the very finest pinot noir.
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Explore unforgettable flavors, both white and red. Each of these appellations transports you back in time and geography. A mosaic of climates to (re)discover with passion.
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These treasures perfectly complement the southern and northern Burgundy roots of the Domaine des Hospices de Beaune. Not to be missed!
Key facts about the Meursault appellation
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- Location : Burgundy > Côte de Beaune
- Creation of the appellation: July 31, 1937
- White wines account for 97% of the Meursault appellation, with 382 hectares, 104 of which are Premiers Cru.
Vintage guide at Hospices de Beaune
Every year is different. Discover its flavour
All appellations at Hospices de Beaune
Great wines born from great terroirs