Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc (2021) - Arnaud Baillot
The Hautes-Côtes de Beaune are the higher ground of the Côte de Beaune, with vineyards that are sunny but well ventilated, perfect for fresh Chardonnays with good longevity. Arnaud Baillot, a young Burgundian producer, works with small plots and a craft approach, focusing on expression of place and on clean but untechnical winemaking.
Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc (2021) - Arnaud Baillot
Type: Vino Bianco
Area: France, Burgundy, Hautes-Côtes de Beaune
Appellation: Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune AOC
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2021
Winery: Arnaud Baillot
Alcohol: 13
The appellation: Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune AOC
The Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune AOC is a regional appellation of Burgundy in the western hills overlooking the prestigious Côte de Beaune, in the Côte-d’Or department. The vineyards, planted at higher altitudes (350–450 m), benefit from a cooler climate and clay-limestone soils, which give the wines freshness, finesse and an elegant aromatic profile. This AOC takes in 24 municipalities and produces mainly wines from Pinot Noir (reds) and Chardonnay (whites), with a few expressions of rosé. It is an excellent introduction to the great terroirs of Burgundy, but with a more approachable profile both in taste and in price.
Find out more about Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune AOCWhat to eat with Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc
Who makes it: Arnaud Baillot
Arnaud Baillot is one of the freshest and most promising faces in Burgundy. After studying and gaining international experience in the world of wine, Arnaud decided to return home to set up his own venture, dedicated to making elegant wines that respect the land. Based in Beaune, Baillot concentrates on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from some of the region's most prestigious areas, working both on generic appellations and on top-level crus. Arnaud's philosophy combines: Strict respect for Burgundian tradition Clean, low-intervention winemaking A constant search for purity and aromatic finesse
Find out more about Arnaud BaillotThe vine of Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted and prestigious white grape varieties in the world, originally from Burgundy, in France. Thanks to its great adaptability to different climates and soils, Chardonnay is grown in many wine regions, expressing unique characteristics according to the terroir and the winemaking style.
Find out moreHautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc: the area
Hautes-Côtes de Beaune
The Hautes-Côtes de Beaune are a hillside sub-area of the Côte d’Or, west of the prestigious appellations of the Côte de Beaune, in Burgundy. This appellation offers a fresher, higher-altitude alternative to the celebrated crus of the main valley, producing elegant, vibrant and affordable wines, often from sustainable or organic viticulture. Here red wines are made from Pinot Noir and white wines from Chardonnay, in a fresher, more floral and fruity style, thanks to the greater altitude, the breezy aspect and the limestone and clay soils.
Find out more about Hautes-Côtes de BeauneClimate: Continental
Altitude: Low to mid altitude (200–500 m above sea level)
Soil: Limestone / chalk
Geographical setting: Hilly
Profile of Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc
Primary aromas: White-fleshed fruit (green apple, pear), Citrus (lemon, grapefruit) and Wild flowers, chamomile
Secondary aromas: Mineral notes (wet stone, chalk) and buttery hints, yeast and vanilla
Tertiary aromas: Toasted hazelnut, light honey (as it evolves)
Tasting notes: The Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc 2021 from Arnaud Baillot is an elegant, taut Chardonnay, combining the freshness typical of higher altitudes with a creamy, well-balanced structure. The sip is vertical, with vibrant acidity and a savoury, persistent finish. A white with character, mineral and precise, and also excellent with a view to further development.
| Sulphites | yes |
| Body | Fine, creamy |
| Acidity | Medium-high, balanced |
| Tannin | No |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Finish | Medium-long, with a saline, citrussy finish |
| Colour | Straw yellow with golden highlights |
| Clarity | Clear and bright |
| Body | Medium |
Winemaking methods used for Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc
Malolactic fermentation
Malolactic fermentation is a fundamental process in winemaking, particularly used for quality white, red and sparkling wines. This method plays a key role in determining the flavour and aromatic profile of many wines, helping to make them softer, more complex and suited to long ageing.
Find out moreMixed fermentation in stainless steel and barrique
Fermentation partly in stainless steel and partly in barrique is a mixed winemaking technique that allows freshness and complexity to be combined in the wine, exploiting the advantages of both materials. This method involves a share of the must fermenting in stainless steel tanks, to preserve primary aromas and freshness, while another share ferments directly in oak barriques (small 225-litre casks), where contact with the wood gives structure, depth and spicy notes.
Find out moreAgeing methods used for Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc
In bottle (1–6 months)
Ageing in bottle for 1 to 6 months is a final but fundamental stage in the development of a wine. During this period, the wine – already stabilised and bottled – continues to mature away from oxygen, developing greater harmony between its components. It is a very widespread practice for wines that have completed their ageing in stainless steel or wood and that need a minimum settling time to reach the right balance before going on sale.
Find out moreIn cask (7–18 months)
Ageing in cask for between 7 and 18 months is a classic but measured approach to maturing wine. Large casks, usually Slavonian oak or untoasted French oak, allow natural micro-oxygenation, which helps the wine settle, knit together and develop a more complex, harmonious profile. This kind of ageing is widely used for terroir-driven reds and for some structured whites that are after depth without the aromatic intensity a barrique would give.
Find out more