Meursault lies about 8 kilometers south of Beaune in Burgundy. The village of Meursault is bordered by other renowned wine-growing communes: Volnay to the north, Pommard just above Volnay, Puligny-Montrachet to the south, and Auxey-Duresses to the west. This central position in the Côte de Beaune puts Meursault at the heart of a prestigious wine-growing area, surrounded by vineyards producing some of the world's most sought-after wines. Located in the "golden triangle" of Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault lies at the heart of one of Burgundy's most prestigious wine-growing areas and located on the Route des Grands Crus. This triangle is renowned for producing some of the world's finest white wines, mainly from Chardonnay. The appellation was created on July 31, 1937.
This appellation includes 19 Premiers Crus Climats: Blagny, Charmes, Clos des Perrières, Genevrières, La Jeunelotte, La Pièce sous le Bois, Le Porusot, Les Bouchères, Les Caillerets, Les Cras, Les Gouttes d'Or, Les Plures, Les Ravelles, Les Santenots Blancs, Les Santenots du Milieu, Les Vignes Blanches, Perrières, Porusot, Sous Blagny, Sous le Dos d'Ane.
The region's continental climate, characterized by cold winters and hot summers, plays a crucial role in grape ripening. This climate, combined with a terroir composed mainly of limestone, marl and clay, creates ideal conditions for viticulture. This unique marriage of climate and soil enables Meursault to produce exceptional wines, particularly white wines that stand out for their richness, complexity and ability to age magnificently. White wines are made from Chardonnay grapes, while red wines are made from Pinot Noir grapes.
Meursault's vineyards cover more than 380 hectares (940 acres), the majority of which are devoted to the production of white wines (381.04 ha, including 107.37 ha Premier Cru). Only 10.66 hectares are devoted to red wines, with 1.27 ha for Premier Cru.
Meursault's traditional style is green-gold, almost yellow in color, turning bronze with age. Limpid and fat, its bouquet in its youth is composed of grapes, toasted oak and a large volume of butter. Meursault's modern style plays on minerality and acidity. Although white wine dominates here, some Pinot Noir is grown.
The appellation's best-known estates include: Domaine Henri de Villamont, Château de Meursault, Domaine Michel Bouzereau, Domaine Olivier Leflaive, Maison Joseph Drouhin, Maison Louis Jadot, Domaine Louis Latour and Domaine Pierre Girardin.