Domaine d'Edouard Bourgogne Aligoté '22

Côtes d'Auxerre is a winemaking region in the northern reaches of Burgundy, near Chablis, and it’s been gaining more attention not only because of its cooler growing season compared with that of the Côte d'Or further south, but also because of winemakers like Édouard Lepesme. He acquired 13 hectares in 2014 and practices organic and biodynamic farming in the village of Vaux-Auxerre, where the soil is the same chalky limestone as Chablis. Only a small amount of wine is produced in the region, and the quality of it can be exceptional. Aligoté accounts for only 6% of all vines in all of Burgundy, yet it has a long history in the region, as it is one of the two local white varieties (along with Chardonnay).
 
The grapes for the Aligoté bottling are hand-harvested from two parcels (two hectares) in Vaux, planted in clay and limestone soils. The grapes undergo direct press and are fermented with native yeast in tank then aged for 12 months in steel tanks and concrete. No bâtonnage (the process of stirring settled lees back into the wine).
 
Notes of golden apple, white peach, lemon zest, fresh herbs, and sea-salt freshness carry over to a palate showing bright acidity, with a refreshing finish that balances fruit and minerality. This is a very food friendly, dry white wine that will pair well with everything from soft cheeses (even strong ones) to grilled fish, oysters, tabouleh, and terrines.