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🍇 Aligoté

Also known as: Bourgogne Aligoté
Pronunciation: ah-lee-goh-TAY /ˌæliɡoˈteɪ/
White Origin: Burgundy, France

About Aligoté

Aligoté is Burgundy's "other" white grape, producing crisp, lemony wines traditionally mixed with crème de cassis to make Kir. Planted on less prestigious sites than Chardonnay, it offers affordable, refreshing Burgundy.

The village of Bouzeron has its own AOC for quality Aligoté, proving the grape can produce serious wine from good terroir.

Wine Colour & Appearance

Typical colour: Pale straw with green hints

Pale

Colour Variations by Region

Bourgogne Aligoté: Pale straw-green
Intensity Pale
Clarity Brilliant
Viscosity Low

Wine Characteristics

Body
Light to Medium
Acidity
High
Sweetness
Dry
Alcohol
12–12.5%

Most examples from Burgundy fall within this range. While variations exist, Aligoté typically exhibits moderate alcohol content.

Aroma & Flavour Profile Le Nez du Vin Reference →

Aromas (Nose) [Le Nez aroma]

  • Lemon [M01 lemon]
  • Green apple
  • Herbs
  • Mineral
  • White flowers

Flavours (Palate)

  • Citrus
  • Tart apple
  • Mineral
  • Fresh

The Nose

Aligoté presents a bright and refreshing aromatic profile, initially offering primary notes of crisp green apple, juicy pear, and zesty lemon citrus. As it develops, subtle secondary aromas of wet stone and a delicate waxiness emerge, hinting at minerality. With age, a touch of ripe apricot or honeyed notes can appear, adding complexity to this typically lean and vibrant wine.

The Palate

Aligoté wines are typically light-bodied with crisp, palate-cleansing acidity and a distinct minerality reminiscent of chalk. Flavors lean towards bright citrus—lemon and grapefruit zest are common—along with notes of green apple, offering a refreshing and well-balanced taste. Unlike many white wines, Aligoté rarely exhibits noticeable tannins, instead prioritizing a clean, zesty finish.

Viticulture

Climate:
Cool|Moderate
Soil:
Limestone and Clay
Training:
VSP, Bush vine
Harvest:
Early|Mid season

Grape Morphology

Skin Thickness
Thick
Berry Size
Small
Bunch Tightness
Medium
Botrytis Susceptibility
Medium

Winemaking Notes

Oak Affinity
Low
Oxidation Tendency
Moderate
MLC Typical
Yes
Ageing Potential
5-10 years

Blending Partners

Chardonnay

To create Blanc de Blancs sparkling wines (Crémant de Bourgogne) and add complexity/aroma as Aligoté is a non-aromatic grape.

Pinot Noir

In some white blends, vinified as a white wine.

Gamay

In some white blends, vinified as a white wine.

Roussanne

Allowed in blends of Châtillon-en-Diois AOC

Marsanne

Allowed in blends of Châtillon-en-Diois AOC

Notable Regions

Bourgogne (Burgundy), France The primary and most significant region for Aligoté cultivation, with over 1,800 hectares planted. Bourgogne Aligoté is a recognized appellation.
Chablis, France A northern Burgundy sub-region known for its cool climate and flinty soils, producing distinctive Aligoté wines.
Maconnais, France A southern Burgundy sub-region where Aligoté is widely planted, contributing to the grape's overall presence in the area.
Loire Valley, France Aligoté is grown in parts of the Loire Valley, though to a lesser extent than in Burgundy, offering a different terroir expression.
Ploiești, Romania Eastern European region with a notable presence of Aligoté, contributing to its growing international footprint.
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria Another Eastern European region where Aligoté is cultivated, showcasing its adaptability to different climates.
Côte Chalonnaise, France A sub-region within Burgundy where Aligoté is grown, known for producing approachable and fruity wines.

Region Map

Old World vs New World

Understanding regional style differences helps identify origin in blind tasting.

🏰 Old World (Europe)

Burgundy mainly

🌎 New World (Americas, Australasia)

Very rare

Key Tells for Blind Tasting

High acid + lemon + Burgundy origin

Similar Grapes & Lateral Confusion

These grapes are commonly confused with Aligoté in blind tasting. Here's how to tell them apart:

Chardonnay

Why confused: burgundy_companion

How to distinguish: Chardonnay is richer, less acidic, more prestigious

Blind Tasting Tips

Key identifiers: High acidity, lemony, light, less rich than Chardonnay.

Vintage History

Notable vintages for Aligoté:

2023
Domaine Cathiard produced a particularly hedonistic Aligoté, described as lively, enjoyable, and a joy to drink.
2020
Pinot Noir was more advanced than Aligoté during the growing season, with a disparity persisting until harvest, indicating a potentially earlier ripening for Pinot Noir.
2018
Aligoté vines, some up to 80 years old, yielded between 20-45 hl/ha, though some higher-yielding examples reached 80 hl/ha.
2017
A challenging vintage due to spring frosts, resulting in smaller yields but potentially concentrated flavors in surviving Aligoté grapes.
2015
A warm and generous vintage in Burgundy, leading to ripe and approachable Aligoté wines meant for early consumption.
2014
Cooler vintage with higher acidity, potentially producing Aligoté with good structure and aging potential, though typically consumed young.
2010
A classic vintage with balanced conditions, resulting in Aligoté wines with good acidity, fruit, and overall harmony.
2005
A warm vintage that produced ripe and generous Aligoté wines, though potentially lacking in acidity for long-term aging.
1999
A relatively cool and wet vintage, resulting in Aligoté wines with higher acidity and a lighter body, best enjoyed young.
1990
A warm and dry vintage, producing rich and concentrated Aligoté wines with good fruit expression, though prone to oxidation with age.

Food Pairings

🌱 Plant-Based & Vegetarian
Saladsve Aperitifve
🍖 Classic Pairings
Gougères Oysters Light fish

Parentage & Genetics

Parents: Pinot Noir × Gouais Blanc

Clones

263 — France

One of the seven certified Aligoté clones. Details beyond the clone number are limited in publicly available information, but it is a standard selection for the variety.

Bibliography

Books and articles about Aligoté:

Aligoté
Aligoté study: three wines compared
Aligoté: Playing with Panache
"Major aroma composition and color of Aligoté wines depending on the yeast strains" by Florin Vararu (2014)
All you need to know about Aligoté: A quick guide
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Page created: 28 January 2026 | Last updated: 30 January 2026

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Wine Colour

This section shows the typical appearance of wines made from this grape:

  • Colour swatches — Visual examples from young to aged expressions
  • Intensity — How deep or pale the colour typically appears
  • Clarity — Whether wines are typically clear, hazy, or have sediment
  • Viscosity — The "legs" or "tears" you see on the glass

Characteristics

Key structural elements that define the wine:

  • Acidity — How tart or fresh the wine tastes (low to high)
  • Body — The weight and texture in your mouth (light to full)
  • Alcohol — Typical alcohol range, sometimes with regional variations
  • Sweetness — Dry, off-dry, or sweet (where applicable)

Tannins (Red Wines)

For red wines, this section describes the tannin profile:

  • Level — Low, medium, or high tannin content
  • Texture — Velvety, silky, grippy, chalky, or sandy
  • Location — Where you feel them (front teeth, gums, cheeks, back of mouth)
  • Ageing potential — How tannins evolve over time

Aroma and Flavour Profile

Aromas (nose) and flavours (palate) are listed separately:

  • The Nose — What you smell before tasting
  • The Palate — What you taste and feel in your mouth
  • Le Nez numbers — References like [M15] correspond to Le Nez du Vin aroma kit bottles (M = Masterkit, O = Oak, F = Faults)
Tip: Le Nez Reference Click the "Le Nez du Vin Reference" link in the Aroma section header to see the full aroma reference chart.

Viticulture

Growing conditions this grape prefers:

  • Climate — Cool, moderate, or warm climate preferences
  • Soil — Preferred soil types (limestone, clay, gravel, etc.)
  • Vigour — How vigorously the vine grows
  • Challenges — Common growing difficulties (frost, rot, disease)

Notable Regions

Key wine regions where this grape excels:

  • Map thumbnails — Small preview maps for each region (where available)
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  • Wine region boundaries — Highlighted in wine-red where data is available
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Old World vs New World

Compares how the grape is expressed in different regions:

  • Old World — Traditional European expressions (France, Italy, Spain, etc.)
  • New World — Modern expressions (Australia, USA, Chile, etc.)
  • Differences in style, ripeness, oak use, and flavour profiles

Similar Grapes

Grapes that are often confused with this variety in blind tasting:

  • Why confused — What characteristics they share
  • How to distinguish — Key differences to look for

Blind Tasting Tips

Practical guidance for identifying this grape when tasting blind:

  • Key markers to look for
  • Common pitfalls and look-alikes
  • Diagnostic characteristics that set it apart

Food Pairings

Suggested foods that complement wines from this grape:

  • Vegan/Vegetarian — Plant-based options listed first, marked (ve) for vegan
  • Classic pairings — Traditional meat and seafood matches
Full guide →