ALIGOTÉ

The most planted white grape variety in Burgundy after Chardonnay

Aligoté

Also called Plant de Trois, Blanc de Troyes, Plant Gris.

Very old white grape variety cultivated primarily in Burgundy. It gives the Bourgogne Aligoté and Bouzeron, pleasant, light and thirst-quenching white wines that are drunk young, within 3 years, as it tends to oxidize. However the best examples can age for several years. Aligoté is also used in the making of Crémant de Bourgogne.

Bourgogne Aligoté is the basis of the famous aperitif known colloquially as "kir", named after Canon Kir, mayor of Dijon, who in his time made it the wine of honour of all the receptions of the Town Hall. The Kir is made of Bourgogne Aligoté to which Dijon blackcurrant cream is added. Well measured out, this fresh aperitif is exquisite!

WHERE IS IT FOUND?
In France and all over the world

FRANCE

- Burgundy

WORLDWIDE

- Switzerland
- Romania
- Moldova

MAIN APPELLATIONS
By type of wine: White

Bourgogne Aligoté
Bouzeron

Crémant de Bourgogne

SHALL WE TASTE?
In the glass

DRY WHITES

Pale dress with silvery reflections.

Discreet nose with scents of lemon and green fruit (apple), white flowers and mineral notes (flint).

On the palate, its airy character is appreciated: it is a light wine without any particular feature apart from its thirst-quenching side.

Bouzeron, the single-varietal wine, is particularly good when drunk young.

SPARKLING

Crémant de Bourgogne are sparkling Burgundy wines made according to the traditional Champagne method. These white sparkling wines are mainly made from Chardonnay Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Some may also include Gamay, Aligoté, Melon and Sacy. These are bottles that will improve with age over a few years. The blanc de blancs is distinguished by its great finesse while the blend of red grape varieties/white grape varieties is distinguished by its vigour. The aligoté brings its acidity and the freshness of its aromas.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS
Aligoté and food

DRY WHITES

Crustaceans, cold starters (fish terrine), grilled or fried fish. Goat's cheese.

SPARKLING

Aperitif (alone or in kir), tapas.

ALIGOTE
More Information

CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE

Recognized in 1975, the Crémant-de-Bourgogne appellation replaced the sparkling AOC Bourgogne in 1984, whose quality was not very consistent, probably because the sparkling wines were made from whites that were too heavy. It imposes production conditions as strict as those of the Champagne region, being modelled on it.Currently developing well, Crémant de Bourgogne is the closest sparkling wine to Champagne.

It can be a Blanc de Blancs, generally made from a blend of Chardonnay and Aligoté, or a blend of white grape varieties with Pinot Noir and/or Gamay vinified in white. The former is distinguished by its great finesse, the latter by its vigour.