The art of storing and serving Marsannay AOC

Marsannay, a Burgundy wine region situated at the northern tip of the Côte de Nuits, is home to a remarkable variety of wines—red, white, and rosé. Known for their unique characteristics, Marsannay wines have earned a well-deserved place in the hearts of wine enthusiasts around the world. If you're lucky enough to own a bottle (or more) of Marsannay, understanding how to properly store and serve these wines is crucial to experiencing them at their best. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about Marsannay, from its history to how to serve and store it for optimum enjoyment.

1) What is Marsannay Wine? Where is it, a Brief Winemaking History, the Grapes Used, and the Classification of the Wines

Location and History

Marsannay is located in the northern part of the Côte de Nuits, one of Burgundy's most prestigious wine-growing regions. The village of Marsannay-la-Côte, together with neighboring communes such as Chenôve and Couchey, makes up the Marsannay appellation. This region is famous for producing wines that highlight Burgundy’s legendary terroir, where the combination of climate, soil, and the expertise of winemakers results in wines of exceptional quality.

Historically, Marsannay was primarily known for its rosé wines, but over time, the focus shifted towards reds and whites as the region's potential was recognized by the wine world. In 1987, Marsannay was granted Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status, a move that allowed it to officially join the ranks of Burgundy's prestigious wine regions.

Interestingly, Marsannay holds the unique distinction of being the only village in the Côte de Nuits where red, white, and rosé wines can all be produced under the same AOC. This versatility is a testament to the region's wide-ranging potential, producing wines that can be enjoyed in various styles.

Grapes Used

Marsannay wines are made predominantly from three grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir for rosé.

Red Wines: The region’s red wines are made primarily from Pinot Noir, which thrives in the cooler climate of Marsannay. These wines typically display flavors of fresh red berries, such as cherry and strawberry, and often have a characteristic earthiness and finesse. Over time, as they age, Marsannay reds develop deeper, more complex notes, including black fruit, truffle, and mushroom.
White Wines: The white wines of Marsannay are made from Chardonnay, Burgundy’s flagship white grape. These wines tend to be fresh and vibrant, often showing citrus, green apple, and floral notes, balanced with a characteristic minerality due to the region’s soil types.
Rosé Wines: The Pinot Noir grape is also used for rosé production, which results in light, fragrant wines with crisp acidity and flavors of red fruit like raspberry and cranberry. These wines are typically consumed young to preserve their freshness.

Classification of Marsannay Wines

Marsannay wines are classified as village wines, which means they come from vineyards within the Marsannay AOC but are not designated as Premier Cru or Grand Cru wines. However, Marsannay’s classification status is an evolving issue. Some of the region's best vineyards, known as climats, are being considered for Premier Cru status, as the quality of the wines from these plots has been recognized as exceptional. Even though these Premier Cru wines are not yet officially designated, they still represent some of the best Marsannay wines available today.

2) How to Serve Marsannay

Red Marsannay Wines

Red Marsannay wines, primarily made from Pinot Noir, can be enjoyed at different stages of their life. The younger reds, with their vibrant fruit flavors, are best consumed in the first 3 to 5 years after the vintage. As these wines mature, their fruitiness evolves into deeper, more complex flavors, and they reach their peak at around 8 to 10 years of age. Older reds, particularly those from excellent vintages or specific vineyard sites, may age for even longer and develop tertiary flavors such as leather, forest floor, and earthy notes.

When serving red Marsannay wines, follow these guidelines:

Serving Temperature: Red wines should be served slightly cooler than room temperature. A temperature of around 16°C to 18°C (60°F to 64°F) is ideal. Serving the wine too warm can accentuate the alcohol and mask the more delicate flavors, while serving it too cold can mute the fruit and tannins.
Glassware: Use a Burgundy glass with a wide bowl. This allows the wine to breathe and helps concentrate the aromas, enhancing the overall tasting experience.
Decanting: Older red Marsannay wines, particularly those with sediment, may benefit from decanting. Decanting allows the wine to separate from any sediment and gives the wine a chance to open up, revealing its complex aromas.

White Marsannay Wines

White Marsannay wines, made from Chardonnay, are usually best consumed within 3 to 5 years after the vintage. However, some exceptional wines from the region can be aged for up to 10 years, gaining additional complexity and richness.

For white Marsannay wines, follow these serving recommendations:

Serving Temperature: White wines should be served chilled but not too cold. Aim for a temperature of around 10°C to 12°C (50°F to 54°F). Too cold, and the wine’s aromas will be muted; too warm, and the wine may taste overly rich and heavy.
Glassware: A standard white wine glass with a narrower bowl is perfect for white Marsannay. This shape helps maintain the wine's freshness while focusing its aromas, ensuring that the crisp, mineral notes come to the forefront.

Rosé Marsannay Wines

Rosé Marsannay wines are typically made to be enjoyed while fresh, ideally within 1 to 3 years of the vintage. These wines are light, fruity, and vibrant, making them perfect for warm weather or casual gatherings.

To serve rosé Marsannay:

Serving Temperature: Rosé wines should be served well-chilled, between 8°C to 10°C (46°F to 50°F). A cooler temperature preserves the refreshing, crisp nature of the wine.
Glassware: A universal wine glass or a dedicated rosé glass will do the job. These glasses provide enough surface area for the wine to breathe while concentrating the delicate aromas of the wine.

3) How to Store Marsannay

Proper storage is essential to maintaining the quality and aging potential of Marsannay wines. Follow these tips for optimal storage:

Temperature: Store your Marsannay wines in a cool, stable environment. The ideal storage temperature for wine is between 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause the wine to expand and contract, potentially damaging the cork and leading to spoilage.
Humidity: A humidity level of 70% is ideal for wine storage. This helps keep the corks moist and prevents them from drying out, which can cause air to seep into the bottle and spoil the wine.
Darkness: Store wine in a dark place, as UV light can degrade the wine and cause it to age prematurely. A wine cellar or a wine fridge with UV-protected glass is ideal for keeping your bottles safe.
Position: Store bottles horizontally to keep the cork in contact with the wine. This prevents the cork from drying out and ensures that air doesn't enter the bottle.

4) What is the Drinking Window of Marsannay? Does Marsannay Age Well?

Marsannay wines are relatively versatile when it comes to their drinking windows. Here’s a breakdown of how each style of Marsannay ages:

Red Marsannay: Marsannay reds typically have a drinking window of 3 to 10 years, depending on the quality of the vintage and the vineyard site. While they can be enjoyed young, aging these wines allows their flavors to develop greater depth and complexity.
White Marsannay: White Marsannay wines, while typically consumed within 3 to 5 years of the vintage, can age gracefully for up to 10 years. Aging enhances their richness and allows the minerality to become more pronounced.
Rosé Marsannay: Rosé Marsannay wines are best enjoyed young, within 1 to 3 years. They don’t have the aging potential of the reds and whites, but their freshness is one of their key attributes.

Marsannay wines do indeed have aging potential, particularly the reds, which can evolve beautifully over time. However, most Marsannay wines are intended for relatively early consumption, with some exceptions for top producers and exceptional vintages.

5) Tips on Maturing Marsannay

If you’re looking to mature Marsannay wines in your collection, here are a few tips to help you get the best out of them:

Choose Quality Vintages: Some vintages are better suited for aging than others. Research the vintage before purchasing to determine if it has the potential to age well.
Cellar Conditions: Ensure that your wine cellar or storage space is optimized for aging. Temperature, humidity, and darkness are critical factors in ensuring the wine matures gracefully.
Monitor the Wine: If you’re aging multiple bottles, taste one every couple of years to track its development. This will help you determine the ideal time to drink it.

6) Which Are the Best Vineyard Sites of Marsannay?

Marsannay is home to several exceptional vineyard sites known for producing top-tier wines. Some of the most notable include:

Clos du Roy: Known for producing wines with depth and complexity, Clos du Roy is one of Marsannay's most prestigious vineyards. The wines here are powerful yet elegant, with excellent aging potential.
Les Longeroies: This vineyard is a prime candidate for Premier Cru status due to its consistently high-quality production of red and white wines. The wines are known for their finesse and balance.
Les Champs Perdrix: Known for its expressive fruit and minerality, this vineyard is located at a higher elevation and benefits from cooler temperatures, which contribute to the wines’ freshness.

7) Which Are the Most Collectable and Age-Worthy Producers of Marsannay?

Marsannay may not be as famous as some of Burgundy’s other regions, but it is home to some exceptional producers whose wines are worth collecting and aging. A few producers to look out for include:

Domaine Sylvain Pataille: Known for crafting wines that exhibit great depth and complexity, Domaine Pataille produces some of the finest reds and whites from Marsannay, often with excellent aging potential.
Domaine Christophe Roumier: This prestigious estate is known for producing wines of outstanding quality. The reds from Roumier often exhibit a balance of fruit and structure that allows them to age gracefully.
Domaine du Clos Frantin: Another highly regarded producer, Clos Frantin makes wines that are elegant, complex, and age-worthy. Their Marsannay wines are highly sought after by collectors.

Conclusion

Marsannay may be a small appellation in Burgundy, but it offers a diverse range of wines that can be enjoyed at various stages of their life. Whether you're drinking a young red, a crisp white, or a fresh rosé, knowing how to serve and store these wines will help you appreciate them at their best. And for those lucky enough to cellar bottles, following the right tips for aging and maturing your Marsannay wines will ensure you’re rewarded with wines that evolve beautifully over time. Cheers to the elegant wines of Marsannay!