Bourgogne Aligote is the appellation within Burgundy for white wines made from the Aligote grape. Created in July 1937, the appellation now covers around 4200 acres (1700ha) of vines, spread amongst nearly 300 parishes. Bouzeron, in the northern Cote Chalonnaise, became so well known for its Bourgogne Aligote wines that it was awarded its own independent Aligote-specific appellation in 1998.
The Aligote grape, which has been recognized and widely used in Burgundy since the 17th century, is now giving way to the more internationally popular Chardonnay. Aligote plantings represent less than 6% of Burgundy's total vineyard.
Bourgogne Aligote wines are generally crisp and fresh in style, and it is this relatively high acidity which has been the grape's downfall. Many consumers find the wines too aggressively tart, preferring the richer profile of barrel-treated Chardonnay. This crispness has created a niche for Aligote wines, however, as the base for Kir cocktails, in which the wine is sweetened with Cassis liqueur.
