Corton-Charlemagne is a French wine Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) located in the Burgundy wine region, recognized for its high quality white wines produced from Chardonnay grapes. The activity within this AOC mainly revolves around the town of Aloxe-Corton. It produces some of the finest and most expensive dry white wines in the world, known for their intense flavors, complexity, and longevity.
The appellation was named after Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, the king of the Franks and Lombards in the 8th century. It is said that his wife convinced him to plant vineyards that produce white grapes on the plot due to his frequent spilling of red wine on his white beard, hence the predominance of white window variety in this field.
Typically, the wines from Corton-Charlemagne have aroma notes of green apple and lemon, with a rich, full-bodied style, with complex flavors of citrus, nuts, and mineral notes. They are also known for their ability to age and develop more complex flavors over time.
The vineyard's altitude, inclination, and excellent sun exposure, among other aspects of their terroir, contribute to the distinguished quality and unique traits of the Corton-Charlemagne wines. Production is relatively limited, therefore they are highly sought after and prized among wine enthusiasts and collectors around the world.
