Morey-Saint-Denis is one of the many Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wines produced in the Burgundy region of France. Morey-Saint-Denis is part of the larger AOC area, Gevrey-Chambertin, and is particularly known for its dark, deep and powerful Pinot Noir wines.
The requirements for the Morey-Saint-Denis AOC include:
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Grapes: The vines must be Pinot Noir and they must be planted in a specific zone in the area around the town of Morey-Saint-Denis.
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Soil: The soil in the area must be densely packed with limestone and clay, which gives a unique flavor and complexity to wines.
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Cultivation methods: Cultivation methods must follow certain rules for preserving the soil and maintaining sustainable forestry practices.
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Harvest: The harvest must be manual and the grapes must meet certain requirements for maturity and quality.
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Vinification: The vinification must take place according to specific rules for the AOC, including the use of traditional methods and restrictions on the use of additives.
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Aging: The wine must be aged for at least 12 months before it can be sold as Morey-Saint-Denis AOC.
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Analysis: The wine must be examined and approved by an AOC-certified laboratory before it can be sold with the Morey-Saint-Denis AOC label.
These requirements are designed to ensure that Morey-Saint-Denis AOC wines are always of high quality and maintain their unique characteristics that reflect the area's soil, climate and traditional growing methods.
