The Place
The tiny village of Aloxe-Corton has become a place of pilgrimage for lovers of great wines. Its symbol is the chateau of Corton-André, a picturesque building of gleaming coloured tiles and tidy tunnels full of premiers crus. Next to it lies Villa Louise, with old timber work and beamed ceilings, a large airy salon which opens out on to the park and vineyards, and a garden dotted with attractive tables and chairs. Convenient for the drive down to the south of France, this is one of our most unpretentious, friendly and charming stopping places. Prices are fair and there is a happy ambience.
The house, which has long featured in our guide, was the proprietor’s grandmother’s home before becoming a bed-and-breakfast hotel. It has since been decorated with great flair, mixing modern with old.
The much-prized Corton Charlemagne vines at the top of the hill are used to make wine at the neighbouring Pernand-Vergelesses – you can taste and buy in the vaulted cellars below the house. At night, walk though the vineyards to dine in a nearby village.