2005 Domaine d'Ardhuy Corton-Charlemagne

Domaine d’Ardhuy was established in Clos des Langres in 1947, when Gabriel d’Ardhuy met a young woman who was the daughter of Burgundy vineyard owners, and they married and started an estate. Today it is run by Mireille d’Ardhuy-Santiard, one of the couple’s seven daughters. Another daughter runs the family’s estate in the Rhone Valley, La Cabotte. Domaine d’Ardhuy owns 105 acres in the Cote de Beaune, including six Grand Cru parcels and 15 Premier Cru parcels. Important parcels include Grand Crus in Corton Charlemagne, Clos de Vougeot and Corton. The Premier Crus are in Puligny, Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Savigny, Aloxe-Corton, Ladoix and Vosne-Romanee. Clive Coates has written that the domain was “reborn in 2003” when the contract the family had with Chateau Corton-Andre ended, and a new generation began focusing on lower yields and other quality-producing techniques. Today, says Coates, the domain is “’a new star.”

Corton-Charlemagne is a historic appellation for Grand Cru Chardonnay in the Cote de Beaune of Burgundy. The 129-acre vineyard falls within the boundaries of three communes, Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses and Ladoix-Serrigny. According to Burgundian historians, the vineyard is named for Charlemagne, the 8th century ruler who conquered most of western Europe. Charlemagne enjoyed the red wine of Corton, but as he grew older his wife disliked the red wine stains in his white beard, so Charlemagne had white grapes planted in Corton. Today only Chardonnay is allowed to be planted in Corton-Charlemagne, and it is one of Burgundy's most celebrated appellations for Grand Cru white wine. The largest land owners are Louis Latour, with 24 acres; Bonneau du Martray, with 23 acres; and Bouchard Pere et Fils, 9.5 acres.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.