A. & P. de Villaine - Aligoté Bouzeron - 2020 (750ml)

The lesser-known white grape of Burgundy beside Chardonnay, Aligoté is rightfully coming into vogue in the international market. With the energetic acidity of Sauvignon Blanc - but not its grassy green notes - it also carries pure yellow citrus and white floral notes. Finer examples such as this often hint at a savory, smoky edge.

Dom. de Villaine was founded in Bouzeron (Côte Chalonnaise) by Aubert Villaine, co-director of the famed Domaine Romanee-Conti, and his wife, Pamela. Aubert and Pamela were part of the movement to give Bouzeron Aligoté its own appellation; they succeeded in 1998. Suffice to say, this family knows Burgundy. The estate is currently run by Aubert's nephew, Pierre de Benoist.

This Aligoté can be a striking aperitif, and is a beautiful accompaniment for richer fish dishes or ripe cow's milk cheeses.

From the Domaine: Our Bouzeron comes from vines situated on the best slopes of the appellations. We have planted to Bouzeron the golden Aligoté doré grape, which gives lowers yield and more aromatic wines than its cousin, the Aligoté vert.

True to its varietal nature, our Bouzeron is a liveley, fruity wine, but it also has a finesse and roundness that spring from the essential nature of the terroir.

These qualities lend it great versatility. To best appreciate the freshness and fruit, our Bouzeron would be drunk young, within two or three years. To allow the wine to fully develop fullness and "fatness", age it for up to ten years.

Our Bouzeron should be served chilled, at about 54°F, as an apéritif, with seafood, or with a number of cheeses (goat cheese, Cantal, Beaufort, Parmesan, Roquefort, etc.)