Bourgogne Aligote Cuvee Aquaviva, Domaine Gouffier

Subtle notes of stone fruit are complemented by floral hints and mineral nuances. Fresh and vibrant, with a lovely rich mouthfeel.

Producer Note

Domaine Gouffier owns five and a half hectares of vineyard in the villages of Fontaines and Mercurey in Côte Chalonnaise. The domain has been run by the Gouffier family for generations until Jerome Gouffier handed over the reins to his close friend Frédéric Gueugneau, formerly at La Chablisienne. Since 2011, Frédéric and oenologist Benoît Pagot have brought about a new style of winemaking to the domain. They follow an organic philosophy to create wines that are modern, approachable and affordable, but with all the style and panache of good Burgundy. They have created a collection of wines of outstanding originality, verve and spirit.

Vintage

The 2017 vintage in Burgundy enjoyed mild weather conditions throughout the growing period. The season was marked by an alternation of warm and sunny days, with rainy and overcast days, which allowed the grapes to ripen gradually. The harvest produced good quality berries with wonderful balance

Vineyard

The vineyard is situated in the heart of the AOC Bourgogne Aligoté in the Côte Chalonnaise. The climate is continental, with warm summers and cold winters. The vineyard is cultivated using organic preparations and the use of chemical herbicides is strictly prohibited. The double Guyot trained vines are carefully managed between the spring and summer months to ensure optimal conditions for healthy, mature grapes at harvest time; with strict de-budding, leaf thinning and ploughing of the soil. The vines are grown in marly-chalk soils from the Jurassic period.

Winemaking

The Aligoté grapes were harvested in a healthy condition once they had achieved optimum maturity and were carefully sorted in the cellar. The grapes were 100% de-stemmed and then very delicately transferred via a conveyor belt directly to a stainless steel tank in order to retain the integrity of the fruit. Cool soaking and fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks on the skins to impart the delicate orange colour to the wine. A proportion of the wine was aged in old French oak, with regular bâtonnage imparting texture and complexity. Working in partnership with their cooper based in Cognac, since the 2013 vintage Domaine Gouffier has been experimenting with using oak from the state forests of Fontaine, just a few miles from the vines, endeavouring to stay true to the local terroir.

Tasting Note

Subtle notes of stone fruit are complemented by floral hints and mineral nuances. Fresh and vibrant, with a lovely rich mouthfeel.

Serving Suggestion

Pairs beautifully with Japanese cuisine, fresh salads or goat’s cheese.

Grape

Aligoté 100%