Vougeot, small village in the Côte de Nuits district of Burgundy producing red wines from the Pinot Noir grape. The name is derived from the diminutive of Vouge, a small stream flowing through the village. There are only 4.8 ha/11.8 acres of vineyards producing village wine and 11.7 ha designated premier cru; the village’s fame rests squarely with the 50.6 ha grand cru, Clos de Vougeot.
The fame of Clos de Vougeot is historical since it was the flagship vineyard of the Cistercians, who planted and enclosed what is significantly the largest grand cru vineyard of the Côte d’Or. Geologically, this is not a homogeneous site: the top, abutting Musigny and Grands Échézeaux, has a light calcareous and gravelly soil on oolitic limestone which drains beautifully and gives the wines of greatest distinction; the middle section is on softer limestone with clay and some gravel, with moderate drainage on a very gentle slope. The bottom section, almost flat, stretching down to the main D974 road, consists of poorly drained alluvial clay.
