Bourgogne Aligote Wine: 10 Exquisite Bottles, Prices (2024)

Bourgogne Aligote is an appellation in the Burgundy region exclusively dedicated to producing vibrant wines from the Aligote grape.

These whites boast a youthful, crisp character, opulent aromas, and refreshing acidity.

The Bourgogne Aligote wine is also used in combination with crème de cassis liquor to make the traditional French aperitif ‘Kir’.

In this article, we’ll explore the beautiful Bourgogne Aligote AOC, 10 outstanding bottles to buy, and the best food to pair with these labels. We’ll also take a look at how these wines are made.

A Quick Overview of Bourgogne Aligote 

The Bourgogne Aligote appellation, in the northern Côte Chalonnaise region of eastern France, was set up in 1937 and covers 1,700 hectares of vineyards. Though Aligote is the primary grape of the appellation, AOC regulations permit blending up to 15% of Chardonnay in the wines.

Among Bourgogne’s 44 winegrowing villages, Bouzeron is the only one that produces 100% Aligote wines. In 1997, Bouzeron wines acquired AOC status following the efforts of Aubert de Villaine (co-manager of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti) and his wife, Pamela.

Top 10 Bourgogne Aligoté Wines to Buy in 2024

Here are 10 exceptional Bourgogne Aligoté wines with their tasting notes and prices:

• 2016 Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Aligote ($266)
• 2016 Coche-Dury Bourgogne Aligote ($250)
• 2014 Domaine Roulot Bourgogne Aligote ($99)
• 2017 Domaine Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne Aligote 'Clos du Roy' ($73)
• 2018 Maison Chantereves Bourgogne Aligote Les Chagniots ($57)
• 2014 Benoit Ente Bourgogne Aligote 'Antichtone' ($55)
• 2019 Sylvain Cathiard Bourgogne Aligote ($46)
• 2018 Domaine A. & P. de Villaine Bouzeron ($46)
• 2019 Claire Naudin Domaine Henri Naudin-Ferrand Bourgogne Aligote Le Clou 34 ($43)
• 2018 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Bourgogne Aligote ($42)

1. 2016 Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Aligote ($266)

This refreshing Domaine Leroy wine from the Burgundy region opens with an earthy and mineral aroma in a refreshing palate of citrus, grapefruit, and green apple. The wine also displays crisp acidity and a dry mouthfeel.

2. 2016 Coche-Dury Bourgogne Aligote ($250)

Here’s a beautiful Burgundy Aligoté wine that boasts lovely aromas of white flowers and spice. It also presents balanced acidity and vibrant lemon tasting notes.

3. 2014 Domaine Roulot Bourgogne Aligote ($99)

This exquisite dry white wine offers a heady bouquet of mushroom, honey, and flint balanced by sumptuous lemon, green apple, and peach flavors.

4. 2017 Domaine Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne Aligote 'Clos du Roy' ($73)

This bold Burgundy wine is dry and refreshingly acidic with charming pink grapefruit, peach, and citrus notes. It is a fruity Côte Chalonnaise label with a floral aroma. 

5. 2018 Maison Chantereves Bourgogne Aligote Les Chagniots ($57)

Here’s an outstanding Bourgogne Aligote wine produced from organic grapes and aged in new oak barrels. The delicious orange and lemon palate has apricot undertones offset by crisp acidity and mineral hints.

6. 2014 Benoit Ente Bourgogne Aligote 'Antichtone' ($55)

Vanilla and hazelnut aromas complement this wine’s tart green apple and lemon palate. The Benoit Ente wine is elegant, with balanced acidity and medium alcohol content.

7. 2019 Sylvain Cathiard Bourgogne Aligote ($46)

This finely textured wine from Sylvain Cathiard combines the addictive freshness of white flowers and a hint of citrus with tasty pear fruit notes.

8. 2018 Domaine A. & P. de Villaine Bouzeron ($46)

The green apple, almond, and fruit aromas of this dry white wine balance its dynamic spice, lemon, and beeswax palate. It has tangy acidity, moderate alcohol content, and a hint of wild herbs on its finish. 

9. 2019 Claire Naudin Domaine Henri Naudin-Ferrand Bourgogne Aligote Le Clou 34 ($43)

This remarkable wine packs a punch with the freshness of golden apple, yellow pear flavors, a subtle floral fragrance, and a lingering finish.

10. 2018 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Bourgogne Aligote ($42)

Here’s a delicious Burgundy Aligoté wine that exudes irresistible white flower and citrus fruit aromas with a hint of smoke. It has crisp acidity, a lengthy finish, and delivers zingy green apple notes. 

Serving Tips and Best Food Pairings for Bourgogne Aligote Wine

Serve a Bourgogne Aligote wine at 10 to 12 degrees Celsius to enjoy its lively spectrum of flavors. 

The wine’s tart citrus fruit notes make it an ideal companion to salty and spicy dishes, grilled fish, and seafood like bass, oyster, or shellfish. 

Japanese dumplings, crab cakes, and smoked fish can be delightful accompaniments to this Burgundy wine too.  

The Aligoté Grape Variety and its Characteristics 

The Aligoté grape variety was developed by crossing Gouais Blanc with Pinot Noir and shares some characteristics with Chardonnay. 

It is an early ripening variety usually grown on hillside vineyards with limestone and clay soil. Aligote is used in Grand Cru Chardonnay blends and to make sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne wines. 

Besides the Bourgogne Aligote AOC, the grape is also grown in Rhone Valley in France, Bulgaria, and Romania.  

Bourgogne Aligote Vinification

The different stages in the winemaking process of Bourgogne Aligote wines are:

• Pressing: The harvested Aligote grape bunches are crushed and pressed in a bladder to extract the juice. The sediments that settle at the bottom of the tank are removed. 
• Fermentation: The sugar in the wine is fermented to alcohol by natural yeast, followed by malolactic fermentation that transforms malic acid into lactic acid. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks.
• Racking: The wine is moved from one tank to another to clarify it and remove the must.
• Aging: The fermented and clarified wine is usually matured on the lees in a stainless steel barrel for 10 to 12 months. Some winemakers also age the wine in new oak barrels. 

Bourgogne Aligote: Burgundy’s Lesser-Known Wine Gem!

If you prefer a wine other than the usual whites like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, sample a bottle or two from our list of refreshing Bourgogne Aligote wines. The understated elegance of these labels will surely impress guests at your next dinner party.

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