Côtes de Toul AOC in the Lorraine region of northern France became an AOC from the 1998 vintage. It is located west of Nancy and south west of Toul on the left bank of the Moselle. There are eight villages within Côtes de Toul (listed below) but only three are of any importance–Buligny to the south of Toul and Bruley and Lucey to the north (Rosemary George MW 1990: p.363).

Communes: Blénod Lès Toul, Bruley, Bulligny, Charmes La Côte, Domgermain, Lucey, Mont Le Vignoble and Pagney Derrière Barine in the Meurthe et Moselle (54) department.

Terroir: The eight towns towns spread out along the hillsides overlooking the Moselle, facing south and east, protected from the prevailing west winds. The topography was formed by the erosion of sedimentary layers of the Paris basin. There are Jurassic period soils derived from Oxfordian clays mixed with ancient alluvium with limestone scree in significant quantities. Weather is the main problem. ‘Spring frost can cause considerable damage and it costs too much to protect the vines with oil-fired heaters or chauffrettes. Cold weather at the flowering can also diminish the yield,’ (Rosemary George MW 1990: p.365).

Main grape varieties: Gamay (63%) , Pinot Noir (23%) and Auxerrois (11%).

Wine production & vineyard area: 2002 5,211hl from 87ha (Guide Hachette des Vins 2004, p.133).

Wineries

Certified organic: Domaine Michel Goujot.