The demand for affordable French whites, particularly those from Burgundy, has not abated and over the past few years, we have responded by featuring dozens and dozens of Bourgogne Blanc, Macon, St. Veran, Chablis and others. You can now add Bourgogne Aligote to the list. The Domaine de Rochebin, featured in this month’s wine club, is a textbook example of this lesser-known white grape variety from the Burgundy region. It is typically higher acid than Chardonnay and, in most instances, does not get the oak treatment that most white Burgundy undergoes. Along with the bright, crisp acidity, a good Aligote will have a fresh, fruity mid-palate and a slight waxiness in the finish. Domaine de Rochebin, located in the heart of the Maconnais, produces a lovely version from their 5 hectares of vines. As you might expect, this family-owned domaine, also grows Chardonnay, Gamay and Pinot Noir, all farmed by Jean-Pierre Marillier, his son Mickael and daughter-in-law Marie-Pierre. Winemaker Laurent Chardigny has been with the estate since 2008 and shares the family’s philosophy of producing authentic regional wines that are as delicious as they are affordable.

The modern estate we know as Domaine de Rochebin was established in 1921 by the Marillier family but its winemaking history dates back more than 1,000 years when the vineyards were part of the legendary Abbey of Cluny, producing some of the world’s most prized wines. To this day, most of Rochebin’s vineyard holdings are located within the boundaries of this former, highly-regarded Church estate. Those monks really knew their stuff as evidenced by the quality of the wines still made in the region. The 2022 Bourgogne Aligote is a ‘must have’ for any wine lover who recognizes quality and value. That means YOU!