La Coutière

La Coutière presents one of Burgundy's characteristic administrative curiosities. The vineyard sits within the physical boundaries of Ladoix-Serrigny, the northernmost village of the Côte de Beaune, yet its wines carry the more prestigious Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru appellation. This arrangement reflects the historical extension of Aloxe-Corton's premier cru designations into neighbouring Ladoix, a decision that elevated a handful of Ladoix vineyards into a more commercially recognisable appellation. La Coutière is one of six such sites benefiting from this classification.

• Administratively part of Ladoix-Serrigny commune
• Labelled and sold as Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru
• Part of a group of six Ladoix-sited vineyards sharing this classification
• Sits at the northern end of the Côte de Beaune

The vineyard occupies a band of elevation between 200 and 300 metres on the Côte de Beaune hillside, with a south-easterly aspect that captures morning sunlight. Soils are a combination of limestone and clay, the bedrock geology that defines the Côte d'Or. The semi-continental climate of Burgundy means La Coutière experiences warm to hot summers that allow full phenolic ripeness, balanced by the cold winters that define the rhythm of the growing season. This combination of well-drained limestone substrates, moderate elevation, and reliable sun exposure forms the foundation for wines of genuine structure and definition.

• Elevation: 200 to 300 metres above sea level
• South-easterly aspect for morning sun and afternoon moderation
• Limestone and clay soils provide drainage and mineral character
• Semi-continental climate with pronounced seasonal extremes

La Coutière produces both red and white wines, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay the permitted varieties. Reds from this site tend toward medium weight, reflecting the Côte de Beaune house style rather than the more structured, tannic profile associated with Côte de Nuits. The limestone soils contribute freshness and minerality to both colours. Whites, though less commonly encountered than the reds, express the crisp, stone-fruit character typical of Chardonnay grown on the Beaune slope. The combination of south-easterly exposure and clay content in the soils supports ripe fruit while retaining the acidity that gives Burgundy its longevity.

• Pinot Noir produces medium-weight reds with red fruit and mineral notes
• Chardonnay yields fresh, stone-fruit whites with good acidity
• Medium body is characteristic of Côte de Beaune premier cru style
• Limestone soils contribute the minerality common to the appellation

A small number of producers work with fruit from La Coutière. Capitain Gagnerot is a long-established Ladoix-based domaine with deep roots in the local vineyards and strong representation across the Ladoix and Aloxe-Corton appellations. Domaine Nudant is another Ladoix estate with significant holdings in the area. Domaine des Riottes and Henri Magnien also appear among producers associated with this climat. Because La Coutière sits in Ladoix, local growers with generational ties to the village are the most natural custodians of the site, and their wines offer access to premier cru quality at prices that frequently undercut more famous Aloxe-Corton neighbours.