Domaine or Chateau? Learn The Difference Between These French Names

Domaine or Chateau?

French wine enthusiasts often encounter the terms Domaine or Chateau, and sometimes climat or clos. Yet, how many of us can offer precise definitions of these French terms?

Each of these terms provides valuable insight into the origins of the wine; however, the use of specific terms varies depending on the French region it represents. For example, the term Chateau is far more common when discussing Bordeaux wine than a Burgundy.

While the literal translation of Chateau is 'castle,' in the Bordeaux region extends beyond architecture. In this context, Chateau alludes to the vineyards surrounding the building. This tradition is believed to have originated in the mid-nineteenth century.

Château Corton-Charlemagne

In contrast, the Burgundy region favors the term Domaine. This label describes a winery estate with vineyards, often signifying wine crafted from several vineyard plots across different villages within an area.

Jancis Robinson characterizes it as 'the accumulated holdings of one grower.' On the other hand, the term Chateau in Burgundy denotes a wine produced from a single appellation area or registered wine-producing property.

Burgundy boasts some remarkable chateaux, such as the expansive Chateau de Meursault. The Chateau boasts nearly 65 hectares of vineyards from Puligny-Montrachet to Aloxe-Corton. This is more the exception than the norm. (Elden Selections, incidentally, offers exceptional wines from Meursault as well).

Domaine de Cromey

Expanding Your French Wine Vocabulary

As you expand your knowledge of French wine terminology, you may encounter the phrase 'Mis en bouteille au chateau/domain.' This phrase indicates that the wine was bottled ' at the chateau' or the Domaine.'

Climat

To further expand your knowledge of French wine terms, Burgundy introduces the term climat. Climat refers to a specific plot of land and encompasses the vines, grape varieties, the land itself, and the winemaker's expertise.

Unlike the English word 'climate,' which predominantly refers to the weather, in Burgundy, climat accentuates the significance of terroir. Vignerons in Burgundy do not look to the sky for climatic cues; instead, they focus on the ground beneath their feet!

Clos

A final term worth knowing is 'clos.' Clos is often used to identify a walled plot of land typically integrated into compound names like Clos-Vougeot, a notable vineyard in the Côte-d'Or. In fact, one of the earliest 'climats' was a 'clos' – the Clos de Beze in Gevrey-Chambertin. This clos dates back to the 7th century.

If you'd like to explore these distinctions more in-depth, Elden Selections offers a selection of 'Clos' wines. They include Domaine Joliet l er Cru 'Clos de la Perriere' from Fixin, 'Clos des Loyeres' l er Cru from Domaine Bernard Regnaudot (Marages), or the exceptional Marchand-Tawse Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru.

Learn More About Burgundy

Discover more about Domaine de Cromey, our charming Burgundian farmhouse, which is available for booking. And, of course, don't overlook the opportunity to join our Burgundy Wine Club. With a wealth of information and exceptional wines to taste and explore, Elden Selections invites you to savor the richness of the French wine heritage.