WineTasteTV - Offering Wine Education and Information Videos

WINE TERMS

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Chambertin
[shahm-behr-TAN]

A world-famous, GRAND CRU vineyard located in the village of GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN in the CÔTE DE NUITS district of France’s BURGUNDY region. This 32-acre PINOT NOIR vineyard adjoins a 38-acre parcel called Clos de Bèze, which is also a GRAND CRU vineyard and whose wine may use Chambertin AC or Chambertin-Clos de Bèze AC on their labels. Chambertin may not be called Chambertin-Clos de Bèze, however. The Clos de Bèze vineyard was initially cleared and planted back in the seventh century by monks from the Abbey of Bèze, which owned the land. Legend has it that it wasn’t until the twelfth century that Chambertin was planted by a Monsieur Bertin, who felt that he could also make good wines if he grew the same grape varieties as his famous next-door neighbor. His vineyard was called Champ de Bertin (“Bertin’s field”) and later shortened to Chambertin. The Chambertin wines were one of Napoleon’s favorites, and it’s said that he insisted that they be available to him even during his various military campaigns. As with most of Burgundy’s vineyards, both Chambertin and Clos de Bèze have had numerous owners, twenty-three and eighteen, respectively. Unfortunately, quality varies from producer to producer, and, although Chambertin has been called “King of Wines,” less accomplished vintners don’t make wines that live up to that reputation. The quality of wines from Clos de Bèze is considered higher and more consistent than those from Chambertin. The best wines from these two vineyards are quite powerful. They have CONCENTRATED fruit flavors, intense, rich, perfumed aromas, and long AGING capabilities. There are seven other GRANDS CRUS that may use “Chambertin” on their labels followed by their vineyard name. They are CHAPELLE-CHAMBERTIN, CHARMES-CHAMBERTIN, GRIOTTE-CHAMBERTIN, LATRICIÈRES-CHAMBERTIN, MAZISCHAMBERTIN, MAZOYÈRES-CHAMBERTIN, and RUCHOTTES-CHAMBERTIN. 


Related Links: Charmes-Chambertin AC, Latriciè, Griotte-Chambertin AC, Chapelle-Chambertin AC
© Copyright Barron's Educational Services, Inc.
1995 based on THE WINE LOVER'S COMPANION,
by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst.

WINE TERMS: C

< B C D >

Sip on this:
What do basketball and grape ripeness have in common? Find the Answer
 

Video Index