Irancy
Encyclopedia
Irancy is a commune
in the Yonne
department in Burgundy in north-central France
. It is located southwest of Chablis
in the northernmost part of Burgundy.
. However, from the 1980s a number of producers have worked to change this situation and in 1999 they were rewarded with an area specific AOC
. The area primarily produces red wines, predominantly from the Pinot noir
grape, although a small amount of rosé
is also produced. Some producers also include small quantities of César
and Tressot
; lesser known Burgundy grape varieties.
Irancy's unusual topography - it lies in the hollow of a valley whose slopes are covered with vines and cherry trees - shelter it from some of the worst of the winter weather, whilst also allowing for sufficient sun to ripen the grapes. The area is one of the most northerly for red wine grape growing.
In most years Irancy wines can be consumed within three or four years of bottling, however, many vintages will continue to improve for many years beyond that.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Yonne
Yonne
Yonne is a French department named after the Yonne River. It is one of the four constituent departments of Burgundy in eastern France and its prefecture is Auxerre. Its official number is 89....
department in Burgundy in north-central France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. It is located southwest of Chablis
Chablis
Chablis is a town and commune in the Yonne department in Burgundy in north-central France.It lies in the valley of the River Serein.-Wine:The village of Chablis gives its name to one of the most famous French white wines...
in the northernmost part of Burgundy.
Irancy wines
Despite once possessing a considerable reputation, the wines of Irancy had long since lost out to their more famous cousins in the Côte-d'OrCôte-d'Or
Côte-d'Or is a department in the eastern part of France.- History :Côte-d'Or is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790. It was formed from part of the former province of Burgundy.- Geography :...
. However, from the 1980s a number of producers have worked to change this situation and in 1999 they were rewarded with an area specific AOC
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...
. The area primarily produces red wines, predominantly from the Pinot noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
grape, although a small amount of rosé
Rosé
A rosé is a type of wine that has some of the color typical of a red wine, but only enough to turn it pink. The pink color can range from a pale orange to a vivid near-purple, depending on the grapes and wine making techniques.- Production techniques :There are three major ways to produce rosé...
is also produced. Some producers also include small quantities of César
César (grape)
César is an ancient red wine grape from northern Burgundy. It makes dark, tannic wines that are softened by blending with Pinot Noir and sometimes by carbonic maceration...
and Tressot
Tressot
Tressot or Tressot Noir is a variety of dark-skinned wine grape. Tressot has historically been grown in Burgundy but it is now almost extinct. Some small plantations still remain in the Chablis district of Burgundy....
; lesser known Burgundy grape varieties.
Irancy's unusual topography - it lies in the hollow of a valley whose slopes are covered with vines and cherry trees - shelter it from some of the worst of the winter weather, whilst also allowing for sufficient sun to ripen the grapes. The area is one of the most northerly for red wine grape growing.
In most years Irancy wines can be consumed within three or four years of bottling, however, many vintages will continue to improve for many years beyond that.
See also
- Communes of the Yonne department
- List of Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée wines