Corton (wine)

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Corton is a Grand Cru wine and appellation from the village of Aloxe-Corton in Burgundy. The appellation includes several subdivisions which are entitled to include their own names alongside Corton on the label. Unusually for a grand cru appellation, both red and white wine is produced.

The white wine usually carries the appellation Corton Charlemagne, although some sections can either be labeled Corton or Charlemagne. Each plot of the huge Corton vineyard is permitted to append its name to the Corton on the label. Thus we have red Corton and Le Corton, plus Corton Clos du Roi, Corton Les Bressandes, Corton Les Renardes, etc. There about 22 'Cortons', all officially Grand Crus, but some tasters do not believe that all of them deserve this status. The large number of "Cortons" tends to confuse consumers.

Of all the Côte de Beaune reds, the Cortons are (not surprisingly) the most powerful and meaty, and indeed the Corton appellation is the Côte de Beaune's only grand cru red wine appellation. They seem to combine the splendid structure of the Côte de Nuits with the supple elegance of the Côte de Beaune. They take a long time to mature, and typically peak between seven and fifteen years old, although they can last much longer.

All the vineyards are located on the sides of a wooded hill, the Bois de Corton, the woods all being at the top of the hill. The woods help protect the vines from winter winds.

As with all Burgundy, the producer is the key to quality. Some reasonable wine is produced by négociant-éleveurs such as Bouchard, Louis Latour and Louis Jadot. Other good Cortons come direct from domaines such Bonneau de Martray, Camuzet, Moillard or Tollot-Beaut.