Bouzeron 2022, Domaine A. et P. de Villaine

Bouzeron 2022, Domaine A. et P. de Villaine is one of the rare village level expressions of Aligoté in Burgundy. Bouzeron is the only village appellation in the Burgundy vineyard reserved for this grape variety, and the domaine has been its flagship since it was founded.

Aubert de Villaine fought for more than twenty years for Bouzeron to be granted its village appellation, recognised in 1997. The wine comes from Aligoté doré, an old selection that is finer and less productive than the common Aligoté vert. The vines occupy the marl and limestone slopes above the village, and the wine is aged in old barrels to preserve the tension and the cutting edge of the variety.

The domaine was founded in 1971 at Bouzeron by Aubert and Pamela de Villaine. Aubert de Villaine co-managed the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti from 1974 to 2022, and applied here, in the Côte Chalonnaise, the same demanding standards as at Vosne-Romanée. The vineyard, of around twenty hectares, has been farmed under certified organic agriculture since the late 1990s, one of the first conversions in Burgundy. Pierre de Benoist, Aubert's nephew, is in charge of technical management.

Key points

• Origin: France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise
• Appellation: Bouzeron
• Domaine: Domaine A. et P. de Villaine, in Bouzeron
• Grape variety: Aligoté doré 100 %
• Vintage: 2022
• Colour: White wine
• Viticulture: Certified organic agriculture
• Volume: 75 cl

Tasting notes

• Appearance: Pale gold with green reflections, bright
• Nose: Fresh citrus, white flowers, gun flint, a touch of aniseed
• Palate: Lively, straight attack, saline texture, clean finish on lemon and chalk

Serving and cellaring

Serve this Bouzeron at 10 to 12 °C. Its cellaring potential is three to eight years, the best vintages gaining in breadth after five years. Store the bottle lying down, at a stable temperature, away from light and vibration.

Food and wine pairings

Oysters, shellfish, fried small river fish, gougères, fresh goat cheese, raw Japanese cuisine. It is also the historic base wine for kir, but the domaine's version is best drunk on its own.

Find out more

Read everything you need to know about the Aligoté grape variety, understanding the appellations of Burgundy and at what temperature to serve a white wine. Find all the cuvées of the domaine in our Domaine A. et P. de Villaine collection, and our whole Burgundy selection in the Burgundy collection or among our white wines.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Bouzeron appellation?

Bouzeron is the only village appellation in Burgundy devoted to Aligoté. Recognised in 1997, it covers around sixty hectares in the commune of Bouzeron, in the north of the Côte Chalonnaise.

Is Aligoté a minor grape variety?

Long confined to kir, Aligoté has been regaining its place over the past twenty years. On good slopes and with controlled yields, it gives taut, saline whites that are able to age.

Who is Domaine A. et P. de Villaine?

It is the domaine founded in 1971 at Bouzeron, in the Côte Chalonnaise, by Aubert de Villaine, for many years co-manager of the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, and his wife Pamela. It has become the benchmark of the Bouzeron appellation and one of the most respected estates of the Côte Chalonnaise.

How is the bottle shipped?

Delivery is free in France on purchases from 300 €. Each bottle is carefully packed and sent with tracked shipping.