Introducing The Lovely Aligote

Aligote is a lovely little wine from a small village in the South of Burgundy called Bouzeron. Aligote is cousin to the queen of Burgundy, Chardonnay.

How many of you have tasted an Aligote before? Have you even heard of it?

Well, it is a specialty grown and made almost entirely in the village of Bouzeron in the Cote Chalonnaise.

At one point, in earlier times of Burgundy, it was in much favor and was more widely planted than Chardonnay. It is in almost any standard not as compelling at Chardonnay, but when it is cultivated and made by hands that care, the wine is a thoroughly delightful, refreshing and pleasure-filled.

2006 Domaine A et P De Villaine Aligote de Bouzeron $23

Lucky for Aligote, and us, there is a handful of not only good producers but some of the world’s greatest wine producers who have a love affair with Aligote.

Case in point, Aubert de Villaine, co-owner and co-director of Burgundy’s most illustrious Domaine de la Romanee Conti, makes arguably Aligote’s finest example. His own personal Domaine A. & P. de Villaine (the P is for Pamela, his wife) in the town of Chagny is in the heart of the Aligote de Bouzeron appellation. His commitment to quality Aligote takes many forms. He farms his vineyards organically, uses low yields, keeps the vine age at a maximum and fines only lightly with no filtration unless absolutely necessary. The wine itself when young is exuberantly citrus with an undeniably mineral scent. If you have never smelled a wine with minerality, just smell this one. It is never less than refreshing with a zesty, citrus peel accent, a medium-light texture with a penetrating length that sings of corn candy. As these wines develop with time (and the best examples do) they develop nuttiness not unlike aged Chardonnay (minus the oakiness) and fuller texture, over-ripe apples and pear tart flavors. Don’t miss out on the 2006 vintage of this wine.