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SOMMWINE GRAPE LIBRARY
Aligoté
Also known as Aligotay, Alligotay, Blanc de Troyes, Carcairone blanc, Carcarone, Carchierone, Chaudenet, Chaudenet gras, Giboudot blanc, Griset blanc, Mukhranuli, Pistone, Plant de Trois, Plant de Trois Raisins, Plant gris, Troyen blanc, Vert blanc
Aligoté is Burgundy’s other long-established white grape, with an identity that extends beyond its role as a foil to Chardonnay. Bourgogne Aligoté can be found across the regional appellation, while Bouzeron gives the variety a focused village expression. Its lively freshness is a useful starting point for comparing how harvest, site and cellar choices shape a white Burgundy.
ColourWhite
ClassificationVitis vinifera
Typical bodyNo universal body category is established by the consulted cultivar sources. Bourgogne Aligoté is described as fresh and lively; ripeness, yields, site and élevage can change the wine’s weight and texture.
Typical acidityFresh, lively acidity is a recurring descriptor for Bourgogne Aligoté in the regional authority’s wine profile and the cultivar sheet. This is a typical regional/style observation, not a fixed analytical value.
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At a Glance
Dry still Bourgogne Aligoté, typically presented for freshness and early drinking.
Typical tannin: Not applicable to conventional white wines; skin-fermented examples are not assumed.
Aromas and Flavours
- The Bourgogne wine authority lists white-fleshed fruit, white blossom, peach, lemon, linden, acacia, hazelnut and green apple among regional Aligoté aromas. These are reported possibilities, not a guaranteed profile.
Where It Grows
- Bourgogne (Burgundy)
- Chablis
- Côte Chalonnaise
- Bouzeron
- Mâconnais
- France
Climate and Winemaking
Plantgrape describes Aligoté as fertile and adapted to northern areas. In France it buds one day after Chasselas and reaches maturity about one and a half weeks after Chasselas, according to the cultivar sheet; this relative phenology is specific to the reference conditions.
Plantgrape reports small bunches and berries, susceptibility to millerandage, comparatively low impact from powdery mildew, and susceptibility to downy mildew and grey rot. It describes early-season maturity relative to Chasselas and lists ten certified French clones. These are cultivar-catalogue observations; vineyard outcomes depend on site, clone and season.
BIVB says traditional Bourgogne Aligoté has often received brief stainless-steel ageing, while some winemakers use oak, including new wood. Thus stainless steel is common but not mandatory. Lees handling, oak, fermentation vessel and malolactic choices vary by producer.
Food Pairings
- Editorial suggestion: oysters, shellfish or line-caught bass with a fresh, saline-leaning example; the Bourgogne wine authority recommends these regional pairings.
- Editorial suggestion: poultry or roast pork, or fresh/aged cheese, as proposed by the Bourgogne wine authority. Pairings depend on the wine’s weight and preparation.
Ageing Potential
- Sources differ in how broadly they characterize ageing: Plantgrape describes Aligoté wines as lively and not suited to ageing, while BIVB says Bourgogne Aligoté can be enjoyed young and some examples can age for a few years. The profile therefore makes no universal ageing promise; follow producer and bottle-specific guidance.
Test Your Knowledge
- How does the regional Bourgogne Aligoté appellation differ from Bouzeron?
- What does Plantgrape’s relative maturity timing tell you—and not tell you—about harvest dates in a particular vintage?
- Why do BIVB and Plantgrape give different broad statements about Aligoté’s ageing potential?
