Aligotéis a whitegrapeused to makedrywhite wines,especially in theBurgundyregion of France where it was first recorded in the 18th century.[1]Since it is tolerant to cold, this variety is also cultivated in Eastern European countries. In 2004, it was the 22nd most planted vine variety in the world at 45,000 hectares (110,000 acres).[2]
| Aligoté | |
|---|---|
| Grape(Vitis) | |
 | |
| Color of berry skin | Blanc |
| Species | Vitis vinifera |
| Also called | Blanc de Troyes, Vert blanc, Chaudenet gris, Plant gris, andother synonyms |
| Origin | France |
| Notable regions | (seemajor regions) |
| VIVCnumber | 312 |
Description
editAligoté is used to produce a varietal white wine, and is sometimes included in the blend of Burgundiansparkling wineknown asCrémant de Bourgogne.ThevarietalappellationBourgogne Aligoté AOCis made exclusively from Aligoté grapes.[3]Traditionally, the cocktailkir(also known asvin blanc cassisin French) is made by addingcassisto an Aligoté wine. In blends, Aligoté adds acidity and structure to other varieties.[4]It is often blended withSacyfor this purpose.[5]
The grape ripens early with moderate yields and produces wines high in acidity that can be drunk young. Its aroma includes elements of apples and lemons.[6]Clive Coatessays it is a variety of secondary importance in Burgundy which produces a light, primeur-style wine with slightly herbal flavour and rather higher acidity than the Chardonnay.[7]The village ofBouzeronis considered to represent the region's finest examples of the variety[6]with the appellationBouzeron-Aligoté AOCrestricting the yields to 45hl/hacompared to the Bourgogne Aligoté AOC limited to 60 hl/ha.[1]
Regional production
edit
The grape is the second most popular white grape variety grown in Burgundy afterChardonnay,though it lies a long way behind in terms of planted area, with 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres)[8]against 12,800 hectares (32,000 acres).[9]The vines were once inter-planted andfield blendedwith Chardonnay for the benefit of added acidity but the vines have long since been separated.[10]Aligoté often loses territory to more prestigious grape varieties and in some areas is relegated to less productive vineyard sections at the tops and bottoms of the slopes.[1]In Burgundy the grape can be found along the fringe edges of theCôte-d'OralongRoute Nationale 74,as well as inMâconnaisandCôte Chalonnaise.[11]There are also small plantings just east of theRhone Valleyaround the cityDieand in the commune of Pierrevert in theAlpes-de-Haute-Provence.[10]It has its ownAOC's,Bourgogne AligotéandBouzeron.
Aligoté is also produced in Eastern European countries,[4]includingUkraine,Bulgaria,Romania,SwitzerlandandMoldova.In Bulgaria, the grape is prized for its blending qualities and high acid; the quantity of Aligoté planted in Bulgaria is more than twice that in the grape's ancestral home of Burgundy.[11]The grape is primarily found in theStara Zagora ProvincearoundChirpan.[11]InRussia,it is used to makesparkling wines[4]withvarietalwines being made along the coast of theBlack SeaaroundGelendzhik.[12]
Globally, Aligoté can be found in smaller plantings. It has been produced, though in very small quantity, by Australian wineries.[4]In the United States, the wine is grown inWashingtonState, since it is resistant to the cold weather, and inCalifornia,where it is used mostly for blending. There have also been small, experimental plantings inChile.[10]In Canada, the grape is grown in Niagara by Chateau de Charmes.
Origins
editDNA fingerprintinghas found Aligoté to be a crossing ofPinot noirandGouais blanc,which is an ancestry which is consistent with an origin in Burgundy or nearby areas of eastern France.[13][14]
Synonyms
editSynonyms for Aligoté include Aligotay, Alligotay, Alligoté, Blanc de Troyes, Carcairone blanc, Carcarone, Carchierone, Chaudenet, Chaudenet Gras, Giboudot blanc, Griset blanc, Karkarone Blank, 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.[14]
References
edit- ^abcwinepros.au.Oxford Companion to Wine."Aligoté".Archived fromthe originalon 2008-08-08.Retrieved2008-10-06.
- ^Jancis Robinson,ed. (2006)."Vine varieties".Oxford Companion to Wine(Third ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp.746.ISBN0-19-860990-6.
- ^"CAHIER DES CHARGES DE L'APPELLATION D'ORIGINE CONTRÔLÉE BOURGOGNE ALIGOTE"(PDF).Retrieved21 June2024.
- ^abcdAligote a high acid white wine variety
- ^J. RobinsonVines, Grapes & Winespg 232 Mitchell Beazley 1986ISBN1-85732-999-6
- ^ab"Bourgogne Aligote".terroir-france.Terroir-France, French Wine Guide.Retrieved2018-03-20.
- ^C.CoatesEncyclopedia of the Wines and Domaines of Francepg 32 Cassel & Co 2000ISBN0-304-35441-4
- ^Burgundy Wines - Grape varieties: The Aligoté grape,accessed October 28, 2008
- ^Burgundy Wines - Grape varieties: The Chardonnay grape,accessed October 28, 2008
- ^abcOz ClarkeEncyclopedia of Grapespg 35 Harcourt Books 2001ISBN0-15-100714-4
- ^abcJ. RobinsonVines, Grapes & Winespg 179 Mitchell Beazley 1986ISBN1-85732-999-6
- ^C. FallisThe Encyclopedic Atlas of Winepg 380 Global Book Publishing 2004ISBN1-74048-050-3
- ^Oz ClarkeEncyclopedia of Grapespg 112 Harcourt Books 2001ISBN0-15-100714-4
- ^abVitis International Variety Catalogue: AligoteArchived2011-07-19 at theWayback Machine,accessed on June 18, 2008