It is in a far more discreet setting, compared with the Côte de Nuits that the de Villaine couple chose to establish themselves. A key ambassador for the inscription of Burgundy’s climats as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aubert de Villaine applied here the same exacting standards as at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti: biodynamic vineyard management, organic certification, natural winemaking methods and grapes harvested and sorted entirely by hand. Here, the vines, averaging 45 years old, are planted exclusively on hillside slopes between 270 and 350 metres in altitude. Lean, limestone-rich soils naturally regulate yields, while the warm microclimate of the valley encourages optimal ripening.
Since 2001, Pierre de Benoist has gradually taken over the reins of the de Villaine estate (formerly known as A & P de Villaine). Whether from Mercurey, Rully or Bouzeron, the wines now rank among the finest of the Côte Chalonnaise. Enjoyed in their youth or after a few years in bottle, the estate’s distinctive white wines – Bouzeron being the only appellation in Burgundy whose wines must be made exclusively from Aligoté – reveal bright, lively acidity and moreish charm.

Bouzeron from Domaine de Villaine boasts the typical lively and fruity characteristics of the Aligoté grape variety. The initial drop is reminiscent of iodine with the flavours moving towards peach and light, floral notes. The palate has a nice and easy texture with a mineral finish.
To craft this wine, the estate, which is run by Pierre de Benoist today, the nephew of Aubert and Pamela de Villaine, harvests the grapes by hand. These are then pressed slowly and gently. Natural yeast start fermentation under controlled temperature in vats and large oak barrels.
On thing is for certain, this variety is regaining its prestige and is now more well known than a few years’ ago, having long been in the shadow of the Chardonnay which seems to reign in this region. And its rise is down to renowned winemakers like the Villaine family who carefully chose terroirs that allow the Aligoté vines to flourish.