Aligoté
Although long overshadowed by Chardonnay, Aligoté is nevertheless one of Burgundy's historic grape varieties. Like Chardonnay, it is a cross between Gouais Blanc and Pinot Noir, and has been grown since the 17th century on the region's limestone soils. As a less prestigious grape, it is relegated to the upper slopes and often blended with crème de cassis in the famous Kir cocktail. Named after the canon and mayor of Dijon who popularised this mixture as an aperitif, the Kir was used as a means of promoting Burgundy wines after the Second World War.
In recent years, though, Aligoté has been enjoying a renaissance, driven by committed winemakers and the Bouzeron appellation, in particular, which is the only AOC dedicated exclusively to this variety. It is becoming increasingly popular around the world, with more than 20,000 hectares planted, including in Eastern Europe and on the American continent. Aligoté expresses aromas of peaches, white flowers, hazelnuts, green apple and citrus fruit on the nose, while the palate reveals striking freshness, enhanced by hints of salty sea-breeze, with a fruity acidity that gives it remarkable persistence.
The greatest expressions of Aligoté come from the estates of Auvenay, Coche-Dury, Les Horées, Sylvain Pataille and Maison Skyaasen.
