Proud of its Celtic origin (it was a tollgate on the road to Autun), Auxey is located in a narrow valley behind Meursault. Before the 1935 Appellation Contrôlée laws, the wines were often sold under the names of Meursault and Volnay, Auxey's more famous neighbours. The soil, a mixture of clay and limestone, is particularly poor in this area. In addition, a cold wind blows from the plateau, and the timely flowering of the vines can be a problem. All this means low yields for the Pinot Noir - and high quality for the wines. Auxey-Duresses red can be compared to the best Burgundies : a ruby-like colour and a characteristic aroma of wild berries, in fact the same ones that grow in the hills above : raspberries, red currants, gooseberries. With age, these flavours mingle with deeper tones evoking black earth and spices. The region around Auxey is justly renowned for its culinary treasures : local wild mushrooms and hare are favoured and constitute the best accompaniment to this very special wine, besides the more traditional stews, coq au vin or boeuf bourguignon.