Discovering the Elegance of West Coast Aligoté: A Rising Star in Winemaking

Aligoté, the often-overlooked white grape of Burgundy, is experiencing a renaissance in the wine world. Historically recognized more for its use in kirs—a cocktail made from dry white wine and crème de cassis—its reputation as a fine wine has diminished for decades. However, this has changed as American wine enthusiasts are now embracing Aligoté, particularly due to increasing prices of white Burgundies.

The rise in quality of Aligoté has been driven by dedicated producers like Sylvain Pataille and Aubert de Villaine, who are championing its potential, especially in Bouzeron, a Burgundian village that specializes in the grape. A group of passionate winemakers known as Les Aligoteurs has also played a key role in transforming Aligoté from a simple blending grape into a coveted varietal that garners serious attention.

This newfound popularity has sparked interest among producers in the United States. On May 2, Balsall Creek winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley hosted the Aligoté Affair, the first dedicated tasting event for Aligoté in America, showcasing wines from Balsall Creek and 11 other local wineries to a sold-out audience of 150. This event underscored the unexpected and growing number of producers in Oregon and California exploring the Aligoté variety.

For those curious to explore this trend, it’s clear that the Aligoté grape is shining brightly both in the traditional regions of France and the emerging winemaking areas of the U.S. The grape is on its way to becoming a staple on the wine lists of discerning connoisseurs.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!