Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC
Permitted Varieties
Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC
Overview
Nuits-Saint-Georges is the largest commune appellation of the Côte de Nuits and gives its name to the entire northern section of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. This historic wine town produces powerful, structured Pinot Noir from 41 Premier Cru vineyards—more than any other Burgundy commune—yet uniquely has no Grand Crus within its boundaries. Nuits-Saint-Georges wines are known for their firm tannins, darker fruit profile, and excellent aging potential, often requiring patience to show their best.
Geography & Climate
Location: Côte de Nuits; between Vosne-Romanée and Premeaux-Prissey
Size: ~310 ha (village + Premier Cru)
Elevation: 240-320m (790-1,050 ft)
Climate: Continental
- Growing Degree Days: 1,350-1,500 GDD
- Rainfall: 700-800mm
- Temperature: Cool; frost risk
Topography: Two distinct zones separated by the town
- North of town: Toward Vosne-Romanée; more elegant
- South of town: Toward Premeaux; more structured
Soil Types:
- Limestone (dominant)
- Marl
- Clay (lower slopes)
- Iron-rich (some sites)
Key Characteristic: Varied soils + 2 distinct zones = style diversity.
Wine Styles
Red (Dominant)
Character: Powerful, structured, age-worthy
- Dark cherry, blackberry
- Earth, game
- Firm tannins
- Needs time
- Often “masculine” descriptor
Style by Location:
| Zone | Character |
|---|---|
| North (toward Vosne) | More elegant; red fruit |
| South (toward Premeaux) | More powerful; darker |
White (Rare)
Character: Rich, full
- Tiny production
- Mostly from village level
- Interesting curiosity
Premier Crus (41 sites)
No Grand Crus: Unique among major Côte de Nuits communes
Notable Premier Crus:
| Vineyard | Character |
|---|---|
| Les Saint-Georges | Should be Grand Cru; benchmark |
| Les Vaucrains | Powerful; structured |
| Les Cailles | Elegant; finesse |
| Aux Boudots | North; refined |
| Les Pruliers | Complete; balanced |
| Clos de la Maréchale | Monopole (Mugnier) |
Les Saint-Georges: Many believe deserves Grand Cru status; town named after it.
Classification & Regulations
Burgundy Hierarchy:
| Level | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nuits-Saint-Georges | Village level |
| Premier Cru | Named vineyard; stricter rules |
| No Grand Cru | Unique situation |
Yields: Max 40 hl/ha (village); 37 hl/ha (Premier Cru)
History
Timeline:
- Roman era: Viticulture established
- Medieval: Nuits wines renowned
- 1936: AOC established
- Today: Major Côte de Nuits commune
Name Origin: Town adopted “Saint-Georges” from its most famous vineyard (1892).
Grand Cru Question: Multiple petitions to elevate Les Saint-Georges; none successful.
Key Constraints & Production Notes
Vineyard Geography:
- 41 Premier Crus (most in Burgundy)
- Wide quality variation
- Site selection critical
Winemaking:
- Extended maceration typical
- French oak aging
- Often needs decanting
- Benefits from cellar time
Aging Potential:
- Village: 8-15 years
- Premier Cru: 12-25 years
- Top cuvées: 20-40 years
Notable Producers
Quality Benchmarks:
- Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (tiny holding)
- Henri Gouges (pioneer)
- Robert Chevillon
- Méo-Camuzet
- Domaine de l’Arlot
- Faiveley
- J-J Confuron
- Thibault Liger-Belair
- Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier (Clos de la Maréchale)
- Domaine Prieuré Roch
Henri Gouges: Established modern Nuits-Saint-Georges quality (1920s); estate-bottling pioneer.
The Grand Cru Debate
Why No Grand Crus?
Les Saint-Georges Question:
- Historically priced as Grand Cru
- Quality supports elevation
- Political/administrative reasons for exclusion
- Ongoing discussion
Common Challenges
Tannin Management
- Cause: Naturally tannic wines.
- Risk: Harsh young.
- Response: Extended aging; careful extraction.
Premier Cru Variation
- Cause: 41 sites; quality varies.
- Risk: Inconsistent experience.
- Response: Know the best sites; producer selection.
Food Pairing
Classic Matches:
- Game birds
- Beef Bourguignon
- Coq au vin
- Aged cheeses
- Rich meat dishes
Requires: Hearty dishes to match structure.
References
-
INAO (2025). “Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC Cahier des Charges.” Link
-
BIVB (Burgundy Wine Board).
-
Robinson, J., et al. (2006). “The Oxford Companion to Wine.” Oxford University Press. Publisher Link
Last Updated: January 11, 2026
Data Sources: INAO, BIVB
Research Grade: Technical reference