Puligny-Montrachet AOC

Overview

Puligny-Montrachet is the most celebrated white wine commune in the world, home to portions of the legendary Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Crus and producing Chardonnay of unparalleled elegance and mineral precision. This tiny village in the Côte de Beaune creates white Burgundy’s most ethereal expressions—wines that balance power with finesse, richness with tension, and immediate appeal with extraordinary aging potential. Puligny represents the pinnacle of what Chardonnay can achieve.

Geography & Climate

Location: Côte de Beaune; between Meursault and Chassagne-Montrachet

Size: ~235 ha total

Elevation: 230-320m (755-1,050 ft)

Climate: Continental

Growing Degree Days: 1,350-1,500 GDD
Rainfall: 700-800mm
Exposure: East to southeast

Topography: Gentle mid-slope vineyards

Ideal sun exposure
Good drainage
Limestone bedrock

Soil Types:

Limestone (dominant)
Marl (lower)
Red clay (some sites)

Key Characteristic: Limestone + Chardonnay = mineral, elegant white Burgundy benchmark.

Grand Crus (Shared)

Puligny’s Grand Crus (portions):

Vineyard	Character
Montrachet (partial)	World’s greatest white wine
Bâtard-Montrachet (partial)	Power; richness
Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet	Elegance; Puligny style
Chevalier-Montrachet	Highest; most mineral

Montrachet: Shared with Chassagne; ~8 ha; world’s most expensive white wine vineyard.

Premier Crus (17 sites)

Notable Premier Crus:

Vineyard	Character
Les Pucelles	Exceptional; near GC
Clavoillon	Largest; quality
Les Combettes	Rich; approachable
Les Folatières	Complex
Les Caillerets	Mineral
Champ Canet	Elegance

Les Pucelles: Many argue deserves Grand Cru status.

Wine Style

White (Dominant)

Character: Elegant, mineral, precise

Citrus, white flowers
Almond, hazelnut (age)
Mineral tension (signature)
Medium to full body
Fresh acidity
Silk texture

Puligny vs. Meursault:

Aspect	Puligny	Meursault
Style	Mineral, tense	Rich, nutty
Body	Medium-full	Full
Character	Elegant	Opulent

Red (Rare)

Character: Light, fresh

Tiny production
Labeled “Côte de Beaune-Villages” often

Classification & Regulations

Burgundy Hierarchy:

Level	Area
Grand Cru	4 (partially)
Premier Cru	17
Village	Remainder

Yields: Max 45 hl/ha (village white)

History

Timeline:

Medieval: Monastery vineyards
1879: Commune adds “Montrachet” to name
1937: AOC established
Today: World’s most prestigious white wine commune

Name Origin: “Puligny” ancient; added “Montrachet” to capitalize on famous vineyard.

Key Constraints & Production Notes

Terroir Excellence:

Perfect limestone exposure
Mid-slope position
Ideal microclimate

Winemaking:

Barrel fermentation
New oak (varies; often 25-40%)
Extended lees aging
Careful handling

Aging Potential:

Village: 6-12 years
Premier Cru: 10-20 years
Grand Cru: 15-40+ years

Notable Producers

Quality Benchmarks:

Domaine Leflaive (benchmark)
Domaine Ramonet
Étienne Sauzet
Domaine des Comtes Lafon
Domaine Paul Pernot
Domaine Jacques Prieur
Louis Jadot
Domaine Chartron
Joseph Drouhin

Domaine Leflaive: Anne-Claude Leflaive established biodynamic benchmark; defines Puligny.

The Montrachet Story

World’s Greatest White Wine

What Makes It Special:

~8 ha total
Shared Puligny/Chassagne
Perfect terroir confluence
Limestone + exposure + slope
Prices: $500-5,000+/bottle

Character: Power with elegance; ages 30+ years.

Common Challenges

Price Pressure

Cause: Global demand; limited supply.
Risk: Inaccessibility.
Response: Village level offers value.

Climate Change

Cause: Earlier harvests.
Risk: Style shift.
Response: Careful management.

Food Pairing

Classic Matches:

Lobster
Fine fish
Poultry in cream
Foie gras
White truffles

References

INAO (2025). “Puligny-Montrachet 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

Permitted Varieties