Irancy

Irancy is a small red wine appellation in the Auxerrois, situated south-west of Chablis around the picturesque village of Irancy. The vineyards form a natural amphitheatre around the village, with Pinot Noir at the heart of production. Unusually for Bourgogne, small amounts of the historic César grape may also be used. Most producers use only Pinot Noir however. After many years under the Bourgogne Irancy designation, Irancy received its own village appellation in 1999.

The vineyards occupy limestone and marl slopes at roughly 150 to 300 metres, with a wide range of exposures created by the amphitheatre. This variation is important in the relatively cool climate of northern Bourgogne: the best-exposed sites achieve excellent ripeness while retaining the freshness and acidity characteristic of the region. Individual lieux-dits can show considerable differences in character and are increasingly being bottled separately by ambitious growers.

Irancy currently has no Premier Cru or Grand Cru vineyards, but the appellation is attracting growing attention. A new generation of quality-focused producers, greater emphasis on individual terroirs and the search for distinctive Bourgogne beyond the famous Côte d’Or villages are helping to raise its profile. It is an appellation worth following closely in the coming years.

The wines typically combine red cherry and darker berries with floral, spicy and earthy notes, supported by fresh acidity and noticeable structure. The best examples have genuine depth and ageing potential, offering a distinctive northern Burgundian expression of Pinot Noir.