Bourgogne Aligoté “Les Blanches” AOC 2023

Wine description for Bourgogne Aligoté “Les Blanches” AOC 2023 by Jérôme Galeyrand

Character

A white wine of piercing clarity and subtle complexity that casts the often underrated Aligoté variety in a new light. Lively and taut on the palate, with aromas of green apples, citrus fruits and a fine mineral note reminiscent of wet pebbles. The texture is slender yet not thin – a wine of quiet intensity and remarkable presence.

Terroir & Origin

The plot “Les Blanches” lies in the heart of the Côte de Nuits, that legendary winegrowing landscape north of Beaune renowned for its calcareous soils and cool microclimate. Jérôme Galeyrand, a career changer originally from the Loire Valley, cultivates 5.25 hectares here – a modest estate that allows him to tend each vine with personal attention. Seventy per cent of his vineyards are farmed organically; pesticides are strictly avoided and the vines are ploughed mechanically.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Aligoté, Burgundy’s second white grape variety, is often regarded as Chardonnay’s rustic cousin – unjustly so, as this wine demonstrates. Galeyrand vinifies using fresh grape juice, entirely without technological or oenological interventions: no cultured yeasts, no fining agents, no enzymes, and only minimal sulphur. Maturation takes place over twelve months in French oak casks with a low proportion of new wood, ensuring the character of the grape is not obscured. The result is a wine of purist transparency.

Food Pairings

The vibrant acidity and mineral presence make this wine a versatile companion at the table. It shines alongside oysters and fresh seafood, with goat’s cheese – a nod to Galeyrand’s past in the cheese trade – and with white fish served with herb butter. It also comes into its own with asparagus or a simple salad of goat’s cheese and walnuts: it lifts the flavours without overwhelming them.