Domaine Armelle et Bernard RION, France
DOMAINE Armelle et Bernard RION
Burgundy, France… ( 8 Route Nationale, 21700 Vosne-Romanée) , Vineyards of the Domaine are located south of Dijon and near Nuits-Saint-Georges..
Their vineyards are located in some of the most prestigious villages of the Cote de Nuits: Vosne-Romanée, Chambolle-Musigny, Nuits Saint Geroges and Vougeot. This means what they have a varied range including appellations Coteaux Bourguignons, Village, 1st Cru and Grand Cru.
Since the 90s, Armelle and Bernard RION also developed their passion for the Burgundy Truffle collected thanks to the intuition of dogs, traditional method assuring the good maturity of the product. For the amateurs, they will to share the secrets of the Burgundy Truffle and to and make you discover the particularly delicious wine-truffle pairing… and and in addition to everything they have, located in the center of Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vign’Appart propose 6 studios/apartements 4 stars with design, comfort et functionality...
The Domaine RION was founded in 1896 by Pierre Rion, the ex-sharecropper of the Château de la Berchère who had acquired the Château’s vines. His son Louis succeeded him, and during his time, he substantially enlarged the Domaine. In 1952, the Domaine was divided between his 2 sons. The oldest, Marcel Rion, further enlarged the Domaine and stayed in Vosne Romanée. Bernard Rion has helped his father since 1973 and now manages the Domaine with his wife Armelle and his daughter Alice. Since 2006, Alice makes the wines with Bernard, who so transmits her his knowledge. The husband of Alice, Louis, joined her on the Domaine in 2010, and takes care gradually of the work into the vineyards, always under Bernard’s eye. Since 2015, Nelly, the elder of 3 girls of Armelle and Bernard, came back to the Domaine and takes care mainly of the marketing. In 2018, it’s the turn of Melissa to join the domain.
And today, Melissa answers the questions of "Yellow Road"
1 - Now you have a vineyard, there is wine, what would you like to add to this picture? Expand the vineyard, improve the wine, increase sales?
We always are looking to expand the vineyard but it’s really difficult to find some in Burgundy, near our winery. But we are still looking for and that’s how we found a new vineyard to rent last year : a plot of Hautes Côtes in Chardonnay
for example.
“Hautes-Côtes de Nuits is a subregion of the Burgundy wine region located to the west of the Côte de Nuits subregion. While Côte de Nuits consists of vineyards located on or close to the main Côte d'Or escarpment, Hautes-Côtes de Nuits covers the area on top of the escarpment, and the adjacent area of various valleys and slopes. Only one appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC), Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, covers the entire subregion; there are no specific AOCs named after villages in this subregion, and also no Premier Cru vineyards.[1] This AOC may be used for red and rosé wines with Pinot noir as the main grape variety, as well as white wines with Chardonnay as the main grape variety, and was created in 1961.
The AOC covers a number of communes in the Côte-d'Or department: 16 communes situated above the escarpment (the actual Hautes Côtes), and the top parts of four communes that are mainly situated in Côte de Nuits. The border between Hautes-Côtes de Nuits and Hautes-Côtes de Beaune to the south passes through Magny-lès-Villers” (WIKI)
2 - List, if possible, a set (gift box) of four or six own wines (red and white), which, in your opinion, can be worthy of representing your farm.
Vosne Romanée 1er cru les Chaumes, Nuits Saint Georges 1er cru Marcel Heritage, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Chambolle Musigny les Echezeaux, Meursault Sous la Velle, Bourgogne Aligoté.
3 - The traditional question for winemakers: What is your favorite wine (red or white)? And why?
Vosne Romanée 1er cru les Chaumes for it’s velvety palate, so smooth and elegant, with an incredible long after taste.
4 - The history your of white wine?
Bourgogne Aligoté : our traditional grape variety here in Côte de Nuits ; more common than Chardonnay. Perfect for aperitif!
5 - Your vineyards are located in fantastically beautiful places.
Can a tourist live in your hotel? ? What will be the length of the route? ..
Of course ; our appart-hotel is just 3 minutes driving from the winery. www.vignappart.com
6 - tell us a little about your program - "Truffes de Bourgogne"
We offer truffle hunt with our dogs Lagotto Romagnolo in our private forest on several tours.
7 - Your Choice for the Yellow Road of white (yellow) wine?
Here we are on the « Champs Elisées of Burgundy » ; which is more a red wine road than a White wine road. It goes from Dijon to Beaune, trough Gevrey Chambertin, Chambolle Musigny, Vosne Romanée and Nuits St Georges.
8 - What cultural event would you like to see more often at home: an exhibition, an opera, a ballet or something else?
Ballet and opera are available in Dijon theater, but more would be nice.
9 - You can offer the most spectacular view (favorite point) on vineyards or the surrounding landscape.
Go in Chambolle Musigny near to the cliff and look down to the vineyard. At the back, see the Mont Blanc when the weather is clear !
10 - If it's not a secret, what are your plans for the future?
Build a new winery and increase the size of the cellar and the tasting room !
11- Which white wine producer (from Italy or another country) would you recommend for the Yellow Road?
Travel along the Léman lake in Switzerland and stop at Domaine de la Vissenche to discover their great Chasselat with a wonderful view on the lake and the Alps montains !
Sergey Evtuhov, author of the project "Yellow Road"
