READ · COMPARE · EXPLAIN
Joseph Drouhin: separating vineyard names and owned plots
This is a family-owned Burgundy maison founded in 1880. At Clos des Mouches in Beaune, they own Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards, making both red and white wines under the same vineyard name.
Using the official materials from Drouhin and Chanson, analyze differences between plots within the same climat. Consider the limitations of comparing plots with the same vineyard name, grape variety, and vintage.
Questions for this course
If it's a white wine from the same Clos des Mouches, are the vineyard conditions the same?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
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To explanation task notes ↓Joseph Drouhin / Learn from producers
France / Burgundy / Beaune
Aliases & spellings: Maison Joseph Drouhin / Drouhin
Update date: 2026-09-24
Beaune Clos des Mouches
Drouhin describes their own plots in Clos des Mouches, at the southern edge of Beaune, as being on the mid-slope, facing east to southeast. The figure of 14 ha represents their stated total acreage, which is planted almost equally with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. You cannot assume from the vineyard name alone on a bottle of their white that all 14 ha are planted to white grapes.
Another producer in the same climat.
The 2024 reference for Chanson’s white lists a 1.6ha Chardonnay plot located on the upper slope. Even if two producers use the same climat name, the parcels where their grapes are grown differ. Do not confuse the facts that Drouhin’s wine is well-known and that they own the vineyard as a monopole.
Build a comparison with vintages aligned.
The pages referenced here are for Drouhin in 2017 and Chanson in 2024, so cannot be used for taste comparisons of wines from the same year. Read them as sources of owned plots, and if you are arranging a tasting, reselect whites from the same year. Since location, vine age, and viticulture will still differ, it does not serve as a comparison just for winemaking methods.
Varieties change between red and white
There are two varieties planted in Drouhin’s plots. When comparing their red and white, even though the producer and the climat name are the same, both the grape variety and the way the skins are handled differ. If you record questions separately for comparing different producers' whites and for comparing the same producer's red and white, it clarifies what differences you are investigating.
What to align and what to compare.
Owned plot
- Conditions to standardize
- The climat is Clos des Mouches.
- Conditions for comparison.
- Plots of Drouhin and Chanson
- Additional points to confirm
- Area subject and position within the slope
Among whites only
- Conditions to standardize
- Imagines a comparison controlling for Chardonnay, climat, and vintage
- Conditions for comparison.
- Producer, plot, viticulture, winemaking
- Additional points to confirm
- The materials for this session are from different years.
The company’s red and white wines
- Conditions to standardize
- Drouhin—Same Climat Name
- Conditions for comparison.
- Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, skin contact
- Additional points to confirm
- Do not conflate grape variety differences with differences in winemaking
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Reading Joseph Drouhin documents: separating vineyard names and owned plots
Check for differing conditions by reading the table and sources. For tastings, list characteristics not included in the data separately as aspects to confirm.
This is a summary of materials published by the producer. Vintage-specific information comes from material for that year; details without a vintage refer to the product or process description at the time checked.
| Comparison items | Description of Drouhin | Chanson: Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Reference page | White 2017 | White 2024 |
| Estate plot stated in the documentation | 14ha, approximately half red varieties and half white varieties | 1.6 ha of Chardonnay for white wines |
| Location within the slope. | Mid-slope | Upper section |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What area does the number 14ha represent?
The source says the estate’s 14ha are planted almost equally with red and white varieties. Do not confuse this with the area of the entire climat or with the area planted to only white varieties.
Can you compare only the differences in winemaking for the same year using this table?
The referenced pages are for 2017 and 2024. Even if the vintages are aligned, there remain differences related to specific plots and cultivation methods to compare.
What changes in a red-white comparison from the same producer?
Drouhin’s plots are planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Do not attribute the differences between their red and white solely to vineyard character—list the differences in grapes and winemaking as well.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Compare the conditions checked in the documentation, and explain what the producer chose.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Description of Drouhin | Chanson: Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Reference page | White 2017 | White 2024 |
| Estate plot stated in the documentation | 14ha, approximately half red varieties and half white varieties | 1.6 ha of Chardonnay for white wines |
| Location within the slope. | Mid-slope | Upper section |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Write a plan for comparing white Clos des Mouches from the same year produced by two companies. List the conditions you can standardize, as well as the remaining differences such as specific plots or viticulture.
Check after writing
- Did the source material specify what area is being referred to?
- Did you separate the vintage of the source material from the year you want to compare it with?
- Are you assuming everything in common down to the owned plot?
Save response to explanation task
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