Domaine de Villaine Bouzeron Aligoté

Côte Chalonnaise, France

The world's definitive Aligoté — from the only appellation dedicated exclusively to Burgundy's second white grape, made by the co-director of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Lemon, green apple, chalky mineral, a hint of honey from the oldest vines, and the clean, vivacious acidity that makes Aligoté the traditional base for Kir. Demonstrates that Aligoté in the right hands is a serious wine.

Pairing intelligence

• aperitif: Burgundy's traditional aperitif combination — Aligoté's crisp acidity and mineral freshness cuts through the gougère's cheese richness; Comté's nutty depth bridges the wine's mineral character
• starter: Burgundy's most traditional first course and its most underrated wine — Aligoté's bright acidity cuts through the parsley-garlic butter; the wine's lemon character mirrors the citric freshness of the herb butter