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Santenay is the most southerly wine-producing commune of the Cote de Beaune in Burgundy, with its own communal appellation (created in 1937). The wines produced here are predominantly red and made from Pinot Noir, although a small quantity of Chardonnay is also produced.
A typical Santenay red wine is more deeply colored than those from further north, but still retains the dark cherry color so characteristic of red Burgundy. The aromas are of licorice, red berries and violets, with the most-perfumed examples also showing notes of rose petals.
The wines of the Santenay appellation are not held in such high regard as those from its northerly neighbors, as their style leans more towards rustic than refined. This is generally attributed to Santenay's particular terroir, which has a large proportion of marlstone – a factor it shares with the Cote Chalonnaise, just one narrow valley away.
Santenay is located at the very southern extremity of the limestone ridge (the Cote d'Or) which is home to Burgundy's best vineyard sites. The limestone soils so favorable for fine viticulture thin out just to the north of Santenay itself, but the commune still has its own share of Premier Cru vineyards. They are concentrated in its northernmost corners, where Santenay borders Chassagne-Montrachet.
The appellation also covers vineyards within the village of Remigny, just a short distance to the east of Santenay, although its wines are regarded as being quite different. Remigny is located below the limestone slopes, so its wines are more like those of the northern Cote Chalonnaise (Rully or Mercurey) than those from the rest of the Cote de Beaune.
The climate around Santenay is of continental type, with warm, dry summers and cool, extended winters. Because it is exposed on three sides, Santenay is affected more than other Cote de Beaune communes by westerly winds, which would otherwise be deflected by the Cote d'Or. These are rarely strong enough to cause concern for Santenay's grape-growers, but during flowering the vines certainly have a greater susceptibility to damage than those in the more-sheltered vineyards further north.
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