Blagny AOC

Blagny AOC is a French wine appellation in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune, covering red wines made principally from Pinot noir in specified vineyards of the communes of Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet. Unlike the better-known white wines associated with these communes, the Blagny designation identifies the red-wine expression of a small group of climats located around the hamlet of Blagny, a settlement in Puligny-Montrachet close to the boundary with Meursault. The appellation was established in 1970. Its geographical area is highly restricted: the designation covers seven named climats, four in Meursault and three in Puligny-Montrachet. In Meursault, the eligible sites are La Jeunelotte, La Pièce sous le Bois, Sous le Dos d'Ane, and Sous Blagny. In Puligny-Montrachet, they are Sous le Puits, La Garenne, also known as Sur la Garenne, and Hameau de Blagny. These sites are classified at premier cru level. Red wines from them may use the Blagny Premier Cru designation, while village-level Blagny is also permitted under the appellation framework. Blagny's rules are centered on red wine produced from Pinot noir. Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, and Pinot gris may together account for up to 15 percent of the blend as accessory varieties, although this option is not commonly used. Minimum ripeness requirements are expressed as potential alcohol: at least 10.5 percent for village-level wine and 11.0 percent for premier cru wine. The base permitted yield is 40 hectoliters per hectare. The same vineyards have different designation possibilities depending on wine color and commune. White wines made from the eligible sites do not use the Blagny red-wine appellation; they may qualify instead as Meursault Premier Cru when produced in Meursault or Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru when produced in Puligny-Montrachet. This distinction illustrates the role of French appellation rules in linking geographic origin, grape varieties, color, and classification status. Blagny is a small-production appellation rather than a broad consumer brand or commercial wine group. In 2008, approximately 4.66 hectares were in production and output was 164 hectoliters, equivalent to slightly less than 22,000 bottles. Individual estates and négociants market wines under the appellation, so there is no single producer, corporate owner, headquarters, or executive team associated with the designation. Its identity rests on the delimited vineyard sites and the Burgundy appellation system.

Blagny is a geographically narrow Burgundy appellation in the Côte de Beaune. It takes its name from the small hamlet of Blagny in Puligny-Montrachet, near the boundary with Meursault. The designation was created in 1970 to identify red wines made from the designated vineyard sites in these two communes. The appellation is unusual within the Côte de Beaune because Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet are especially associated with white Chardonnay wines, while Blagny AOC is reserved for a red-wine identity based principally on Pinot noir. The appellation covers seven climats: La Jeunelotte, La Pièce sous le Bois, Sous le Dos d'Ane, and Sous Blagny in Meursault; and Sous le Puits, La Garenne or Sur la Garenne, and Hameau de Blagny in Puligny-Montrachet. Each is classified as premier cru. Red wines from these sites can be labeled Blagny Premier Cru, although village-level Blagny is also possible. Appellation rules permit Pinot noir as the principal grape and allow Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, and Pinot gris together to make up no more than 15 percent of the red blend. This accessory-grape provision is seldom used in practice. The permitted base yield is 40 hectoliters per hectare. Minimum maturity requirements are 10.5 percent potential alcohol for village-level wine and 11.0 percent for premier cru wine. Color determines the applicable appellation. Although the vineyards are eligible for Blagny when used to produce red wine, white wines from the Meursault sites may carry Meursault Premier Cru, and white wines from the Puligny-Montrachet sites may carry Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru. Blagny therefore represents a specific red-wine designation within a wider, overlapping Burgundy vineyard and classification structure. Production is limited. In 2008, the appellation had 4.66 hectares under production and yielded 164 hectoliters, or just under 22,000 bottles. Because Blagny AOC is an appellation rather than a producer-owned brand, its wines may be made and sold by different Burgundy estates or négociants. No single founder, parent company, executive group, or corporate headquarters defines the appellation.

1. 2008Recorded small-scale production

   Reported production covered 4.66 hectares and totaled 164 hectoliters, equivalent to just under 22,000 bottles.

   Source
2. 1970Blagny AOC established

   The Blagny appellation was created to regulate a red-wine designation for Pinot noir-based wines from specified vineyards in Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet.

   Source

A small, site-specific Burgundy appellation positioned around limited-production red wines from premier cru vineyards in Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet. Its differentiation comes from geographic specificity, Burgundy classification, and the contrast between its red-wine designation and the white-wine appellations used for the same general vineyard area.

• BlagnyVillage-level red wine1970

  Village-level Blagny is red wine made principally from Pinot noir within the appellation's delimited sites in Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet. The rules allow a limited proportion of Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, and Pinot gris as accessory grapes, although this is not commonly practiced. Grapes for village-level wine must reach at least 10.5 percent potential alcohol, and the base permitted yield is 40 hectoliters per hectare.

• Blagny Premier CruPremier cru red wine1970

  Blagny Premier Cru identifies red wines from the seven premier cru-classed climats assigned to the appellation. Four sites lie in Meursault and three in Puligny-Montrachet. The wines are based on Pinot noir and must meet a minimum maturity of 11.0 percent potential alcohol. The designation emphasizes the limited geography and premier cru status of the source vineyards.

1. Blagny AOC