Meaning ‘high’, the ‘hautes’ Cote de Beaune appellation is found above the mid slopes of the southern Cote d’Or. This is mostly red wine country, at around 80% of production. Rosé wines are made here too, though as a very small percentage of a total of some 5 million bottles every year. The higher the altitude the grapes grow at, the lower the temperatures and the harsher the climate can be. Thus, ripening can be somewhat harder at altitude, and lead to less flavorsome wines. For this reason, many ‘haute’ vines are planted on south-facing slopes, to maximise the exposure to sun.
Hautes-Côtes de Beaune
These are white wines capable of great variety of flavor and aroma. The nose may give white fruits (pear, apple), liquorice, lemon or honeysuckle, whilst the palate gets fresh fruitiness and a subtle minerality. These are excellent aperitif wines, as well as going with a wide array of fish and seafood. With age, they will begin to really bring out the flavors of richer dishes, for example anything with a cream sauce, and some blue cheeses.
From the reds of this region the nose is promised sweet, black fruit flavors (cherry, strawberry, blackcurrant) as well as some more exotic and unusual overtones—violet, iris and mint. On the palate they are fresh, mineral and fruity, with a long, saline finish. When pairing with food, look for savory tapas, curried veal or duck breast—and make sure to try them with creamy cheeses like Camembert or Soumaintrain.