Aligoté: Back to Winemaking – Back to Grapes – Back to Countries
Top thirteen grapes:
Reds – Cabernet Franc – Cabernet Sauvignon – Malbec – Merlot –
Whites – Chardonnay – Gewürztraminer – Muscat –
Pinot blanc – Pinot gris – Riesling – Sauvignon blanc
Next twenty-five grapes:
Reds – Barbera – Carignan – Gamay – Grenache – Mourvèdre – Petit Verdot –
Sangiovese – Tannat – Tempranillo – Touriga Nacional – Zweigelt
Whites – Albariño – Aligoté – Arinto – Chenin blanc – Malvasia –
Müller-Thurgau – Muscat-Ottonel – Sémillon – Tămâioasă Românească –
Traminer – Ugni-blanc – Viognier – Welschriesling
– and Cava
| Aligoté It originated in Burgundy in the 17th c, a white grape used to make dry white wines. The village of Bouzeron, in northern Côte Chalonnaise, is said to produce the finest examples of the variety. The grape is the second most popular white grape variety grown in Burgundy after Chardonnay. It produces larger and more plentiful grapes than Chardonnay. Traditionally, the cocktail kir (aka vin blanc cassis) is made by adding cassis to an Aligoté wine.  Image source: beckywasserman.com It accounts for 6% of all vines planted in Bourgogne and it was awarded its first standalone appellation in 1937. |
| Taste/smell: It is pale gold in colour with moderate sugar levels, balanced by high acidity. It should be drunk young. It has a herbal flavour and described as having a taste of apples and lemons, with a floral palette – acacia, linden, white blossom, with hints of almond. Others suggest its notes are apples. fresh herbs, peach and smoke.  Image: bbr.com Varieties/Mutations It is included in the blend of Burgundian sparkling wine known as Crémant de Bourgogne. Aligoté is used to add acidity and structure to other varieties. There are seven certified Aligoté clones. | Description: DNA fingerprinting has found the grape to be a crossing of Pinot noir and Gouais blanc, consistent with an origin in Burgundy. It is often used in blends, particularly those made in California.  Image source: plantgrape.fr Young leaves are green with bronze spots, the shoots have red internodes. Adult leaves, have a V or U-shaped slightly open petiole sinus, medium length teeth, a revolute leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaf it has a low density of erect and prostrate hairs, The bunches and the berries are small, it bears round-shaped berries.  Image source: plantgrape.fr |
| Aligoté producing countries: Big Five Producers: (overall 42% of vineyards, 64% of wine production and 41% of wine consumption – OIV 2022) Spain: not detected France: Côte Chalonnaise, Côte-d’Or, Loire, Mâconnais, Rhône – 98% from France! Italy: not detected USA: California, Oregon, Washington, Chile: some Next Ten Largest Producers: (with big five, responsible overall for 75% of vineyards, 88% of wine production, 64% of wine consumption – OIV 2022) Argentina: Australia: Western Australia China: not detected Germany: not detected India: not detected New Zealand: not detected Portugal: not detected Romania: some South Africa: none detected Turkey: not detected Others countries Armenia, Bulgaria, Canada, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Switzerland | Grape is also known as: Aligotay, Alligotay, Alligoté, Blanc de Troyes, Carcairone blanc, Carcarone, Carchierone, Chaudenet, Chaudenet gris, Giboudot blanc, Griset blanc, Karkarone blanc, Melon de Jura, Muhranuli, Mukhranudi, Pistone, Plant de Trois, Plant de Trois Raisins, Plant gris, Purion blanc, Selon Molon, Selon Odart, Troyen blanc, Vert blanc. |
Maconnais, Image source: cellartours.com
Aligoté: Back to Winemaking – Back to Grapes – Back to Countries
Top thirteen grapes:
Reds – Cabernet Franc – Cabernet Sauvignon – Malbec – Merlot –
Whites – Chardonnay – Gewürztraminer – Muscat –
Pinot blanc – Pinot gris – Riesling – Sauvignon blanc
Next twenty-five grapes:
Reds – Barbera – Carignan – Gamay – Grenache – Mourvèdre – Petit Verdot –
Sangiovese – Tannat – Tempranillo – Touriga Nacional – Zweigelt
Whites – Albariño – Aligoté – Arinto – Chenin blanc – Malvasia –
Müller-Thurgau – Muscat-Ottonel – Sémillon – Tămâioasă Românească –
Traminer – Ugni-blanc – Viognier – Welschriesling
– and Cava
