The AOC Aloxe-Corton is a village appellation of the Côte de Beaune. Its vineyard extends south of the Corton mountain between Ladoix-Serrigny and Pernand-Vergelesses.
The word Aloxe has a Gallic origin by the prefix "Al" which means "high place". Corton has a Frankish origin and would be the contraction of "Curtis Othonis" domain of Othon.
Emperor Charlemagne is the most popular historical figure in Aloxe Corton. Proof of this is his emblem which appears on the village's coat of arms: "In chief gold an imperial eagle with 2 heads, crowned sable, and in base, azure charged, a silver cup."
The hillside of Corton planted in red grape varieties seduced the emperor. His love of wine could not overpower his prestigious person, and the legend says that when Charlemagne stained his beard with red wine, he was angry and tore out the vines. He had the land replanted with white grapes. This is the legendary beginning of one of the most prestigious white wines of Corton Charlemagne.
Today, Aloxe Corton has a surface of 255 hectares, the AOC produces each year 10.000 hectoliters of wines. The red wines of Aloxe-Corton are powerful, racy and good to keep. Made from pinot noir, their mouth can wait 5 to 10 years to open on a firm and structured body, with pleasant tannins. The good vintages will keep for 10 to 30 years.
The variety of soils, the drainage and the dryness give the appellation a great diversity of wines. The north gives more tender and fruity wines, and the south more solid and structured wines.
