Auxerrois and its wines

TheAuxerrois is a historic winegrowing area around the town of Auxerre, in the department of the Yonne, in Northern Burgundy.
It is part of the wider area of the Chablis and Grand Auxerrois, and is known for producing white, red and rosé wines from typical Burgundian grape varieties, as well as for some local appellations.

The terroir

The terroir is marked by Kimmeridgian and Portlandian limestone-marl soils, similar to those of Chablis, with a a semi-continental climate: harsh winters, hot summers and wide temperature swings.
These conditions make it possible to obtain fresh, mineral and elegant wines, with excellent ageing capacity in the whites and great drinkability in the reds.

What is the Auxerrois wine district?

The area of Auxerrois takes in several local AOCs, including:

• Bourgogne Côtes d’Auxerre AOC (whites from Chardonnay, reds and rosés from Pinot Noir and César)

• Irancy AOC (reds from Pinot Noir with a small part of César)

• Saint-Bris AOC (the only appellation in Burgundy authorised for Sauvignon Blanc)

• Chablis AOC (nearby, sharing the same terroir)

Characteristics of Auxerrois Wines

Whites (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc at Saint-Bris)

• Colour: Straw yellow with greenish highlights

• Aromas: Citrus, green apple, white flowers, flint

• Palate: Fresh, mineral, with marked acidity and a saline finish

Reds (Pinot Noir, César)

• Colour: Bright ruby

• Aromas: Cherry, redcurrant, violet, spicy and vegetal notes in the wines with César

• Palate: Fresh, fine tannins, good acidity, excellent drinkability

Rosés

• Fruity, fragrant, perfect for drinking young

Typical Grape Varieties of the Auxerrois

• Chardonnay → mineral, fresh whites

• Sauvignon Blanc → Saint-Bris AOC, aromatic and herbaceous

• Pinot Noir → elegant, fruity, ideal for reds and rosés

• César → an ancient grape variety, it gives structure and colour to the reds

• Aligoté → fresh and light, in a blend or as a single variety

Why choose a wine from the Auxerrois?

• For those who love fresh and mineral whites similar to Chablis but more affordable

• To discover a A unique Sauvignon Blanc in Burgundy (Saint-Bris)

• To taste elegant, fragrant reds, perfect for the everyday table

• For wines with excellent value for money compared with other parts of Burgundy