Mercurey Wines

By far the largest of the Cote Chalonnaise appellations, it produces more than Rully and Givry put together. It is essentially a red wine area, although the 10% of white that it does produce, if made by one of the top producers, such as Rodet, Boillot, Faiveley, makes for ripe, interesting wines, with a rich minerality. About 1/4 of the vineyard area here is classed as Premier Cru.

The reds offer some of the most interesting and relatively best value wines in Burgundy – there are hints of Cote de Nuits style Pinot Noir here, albeit without the intensity, and depth – but lovely, fleshy, approachable wines, with juicy ripeness.