The Aligoté
Grape
A white grape variety from Burgundy, France, Aligoté produces crisp, acidic wines with floral and apple notes, often with a hint of minerality. It is known for the Bourgogne Aligoté appellation and yields delicate and refreshing wines that can stand apart from the region's dominant Chardonnay.
Aligoté
Grape History
The Aligoté grape is a lesser-known white grape variety that has a long and storied history, particularly in the Burgundy region of France. Believed to have originated in the Burgundy region, Aligoté has been grown and cultivated in this area for centuries. It is often referred to as the "other white grape of Burgundy," with Chardonnay being the more famous counterpart.
Aligoté is known for its high acidity and relatively neutral flavor profile, featuring notes of green apples, citrus, and sometimes a bit of minerality. These characteristics make it a versatile grape that is often used in blends to enhance the overall acidity and freshness of the wine. In Burgundy, Aligoté is commonly blended with Chardonnay to produce the famous Kir cocktail, a mix of white wine and crème de cassis.
Apart from Burgundy, Aligoté is also grown in other regions of France, such as the Loire Valley and the Jura region. Additionally, it has found a home in countries like Russia, where it is used to produce sparkling wines, and in Eastern Europe, particularly in Bulgaria and Romania.
While historically overshadowed by Chardonnay and other more prominent grape varieties, Aligoté has seen a resurgence in recent years as winemakers and consumers alike seek out more unique and lesser-known grape varieties. In Burgundy, some producers have started to focus more on single-varietal Aligoté wines, showcasing the grape's distinct characteristics and the terroir of the region.
The future of Aligoté looks promising as more winemakers experiment with this grape variety and explore its potential. Its high acidity makes it a great candidate for crafting crisp and refreshing wines, particularly suitable for warm climates or as an aperitif. As consumer interest in different and authentic wine styles grows, Aligoté has the opportunity to shine and carve out a niche for itself in the world of wine.
In conclusion, while Aligoté may not enjoy the same level of recognition as some other grape varieties, its long history, unique characteristics, and potential for producing high-quality wines make it a grape worth keeping an eye on in the ever-evolving world of wine.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel