Savigny-les-Beaune

Savigny-les-Beaune stands in the shadow of its sizable neighbor to the south, Beaune. Beaune, simple to pronounce for speakers of the English language and a bustling center of activity, overshadows Savigny so much that it gave it its name. Before then, much Savigny was labeled as Savigny-Cote de Beaune, a gradation of Cote de Beaune-Villages. Given these facts, many are surprised to find that Savigny-les-Beaune is one of the largest villages in terms of production in all the Cote d'Or, with 383 hectares planted to the vines (mostly red, although there is some white); even more surprising is that the vineyards of Beaune total 450 heactares, only about 17% more. Savigny-les-Beaune is known for its 14th-century castle, the Chateau de Savigny-les-Beaune, now home to a domaine of the same name and also a museum of motorcycles, automobiles and early airplanes. Its resident vignerons have also become proactive in promoting their wines, and there is a public wine festival the first weekend in May each year. Because the reputation of Savigny-les-Beaune suffers somewhat due to the worldwide fame of Beaune, prices have always remained a bargain for the consumer. Even better, the winegrowers of Savigny-les-Beaune are as a whole very committed producers who get the most from the terroir. Domaines such as Simon Bize et Fils, Jean-Marc-Pavelot and Maurice Ecard are among Burgundy's most consistent, and in addition many of their wines feature old vines which furthers the cause. Savigny-les-Beaune is divided into two halves. The northern half, "the Pernand-Vergelesses side", makes wines that are sleek with focus and intensity. Savigny's best known vineyard, Les Vergelesses is located at the top of the hill (directly abutting the vineyards of Pernand-Vergelesses). Across the bisecting stream, "the Beaune side" there are wines that are more powerful and rich yet revealing: the wines are more like those of Beaune. Marconnets is probably the top vineyard on this side.