Vosne-Romanée AOC
Permitted Varieties
Vosne-Romanée AOC
Overview
Vosne-Romanée is the most prestigious red wine commune in Burgundy—and arguably the world—home to Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, and four other Grand Crus that represent the absolute pinnacle of Pinot Noir. This small village in the Côte de Nuits produces wines of extraordinary complexity, elegance, and longevity that have commanded the world’s highest prices for centuries. Even village-level Vosne-Romanée displays a velvety richness and aromatic complexity that sets it apart from neighboring communes.
Geography & Climate
Location: Côte de Nuits; between Vougeot and Nuits-Saint-Georges
Size: ~240 ha total
Elevation: 250-320m (820-1,050 ft)
Climate: Continental
- Growing Degree Days: 1,350-1,500 GDD
- Rainfall: 700-800mm
- Exposure: East to southeast
Topography: Gentle slopes
- Perfect mid-slope positioning
- Ideal sun exposure
- Protected microclimate
Soil Types:
- Limestone (upper)
- Marl (mid-slope—sweet spot)
- Clay (lower)
Key Characteristic: Perfect terroir confluence = Pinot Noir’s ultimate expression.
Grand Crus (6 Sites)
The Holy Grail:
| Vineyard | Size | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Romanée-Conti | 1.81 ha | World’s most expensive wine; monopole DRC |
| La Tâche | 6.06 ha | Powerful; monopole DRC |
| Richebourg | 8.03 ha | Rich; opulent |
| Romanée-Saint-Vivant | 9.44 ha | Elegant; perfumed |
| La Romanée | 0.85 ha | Smallest; monopole Liger-Belair |
| La Grande Rue | 1.65 ha | Monopole Lamarche; elevated 1992 |
Romanée-Conti: ~450 cases/year; $5,000-50,000+/bottle; the most sought-after wine on Earth.
Premier Crus (15 sites)
Notable Premier Crus:
| Vineyard | Character |
|---|---|
| Cros Parantoux | Legendary; Henri Jayer |
| Les Malconsorts | Grand Cru quality |
| Les Suchots | Elegant; aromatic |
| Les Beaux Monts | Classic |
| Aux Brûlées | Structured |
Cros Parantoux: Henri Jayer’s legendary vineyard; cult status; prices rival Grand Crus.
Wine Style
Red (100% Pinot Noir)
Character: Complex, silky, profound
- Violet, rose
- Red and black cherry
- Spice, earth
- Velvet texture (signature)
- Extraordinary complexity
- Age-worthy
Vosne Character: Richer, more velvety than neighboring communes.
Classification & Regulations
Burgundy Hierarchy:
| Level | Sites |
|---|---|
| Grand Cru | 6 |
| Premier Cru | 15 |
| Village | Remainder |
Monopoles: 3 Grand Crus are monopoles (single owner)
History
Timeline:
- 12th century: Cistercian monks establish vineyards
- 1760: Prince de Conti purchases Romanée
- 1936: AOC established
- Today: World’s most prestigious commune
Prince de Conti: Purchased La Romanée (1760); added his name; created legend.
Henri Jayer: 20th-century winemaker who elevated Burgundy; Cros Parantoux icon.
Key Constraints & Production Notes
The DRC Factor:
- Domaine de la Romanée-Conti owns 2 monopoles
- Sets quality and price standard
- Global collector obsession
Winemaking:
- Whole cluster (varies)
- French oak (new % varies)
- Extended aging
- Minimal intervention (top producers)
Aging Potential:
- Village: 8-15 years
- Premier Cru: 12-25 years
- Grand Cru: 20-50+ years
Notable Producers
Quality Benchmarks:
- Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)
- Domaine Leroy
- Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair
- Méo-Camuzet
- Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg
- Emmanuel Rouget
- Sylvain Cathiard
- Anne Gros
- Domaine Grivot
- Domaine Lamarche
DRC: The world’s most famous and expensive wine estate; defines Vosne.
Leroy: Lalou Bize-Leroy’s biodynamic estate rivals DRC.
The Henri Jayer Legacy
Burgundy’s Modern Master
Impact:
- Pioneered cold maceration
- Elevated winemaking precision
- Cros Parantoux = icon
- Trained generation of winemakers
- Most influential Burgundian winemaker
Prices: Jayer wines among world’s most expensive (surpassing even DRC at auction).
Common Challenges
Accessibility
- Cause: Tiny production; global demand.
- Risk: Impossible for most consumers.
- Response: Village level offers entry; négociants.
Fraud Risk
- Cause: Extreme prices.
- Risk: Counterfeits.
- Response: Provenance verification; trusted sources.
Food Pairing
Classic Matches:
- Boeuf Bourguignon
- Game birds
- Époisses cheese
- Truffle dishes
- Fine beef
References
-
INAO (2025). “Vosne-Romanée AOC Cahier des Charges.” Link
-
BIVB (Burgundy Wine Board).
-
Meadows, A. (2010). “The Pearl of the Côte.” WorldCat
Last Updated: January 11, 2026
Data Sources: INAO, BIVB
Research Grade: Technical reference