2022 Bouzeron, Maison Gautheron d'Anost, Burgundy

Maison Gautheron d'Anost

Maison Gautheron d’Anost is a young and promising winery located in Meursault, Burgundy. Founded by Bastien Gautheron, the estate follows a non-interventionist approach to winemaking, emphasising the connection between terroir and vineyard.

The vineyards are primarily organic-certified, with holdings in Savigny and Hautes-Côtes de Beaune. Bastien also collaborates with other organic winegrowers to source grapes. His winemaking philosophy involves simple vinifications, short macerations, and aging in barrels.

Notable wines from Maison Gautheron d’Anost include the Bouzeron ‘Les Louères’ (Aligoté), offering velvety fruit with lemon and greengage aromas; the Saint Romain ‘Les Perriéres’ (Chardonnay), a zippy and mineral wine; and the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune (Chardonnay), a delightful balance of citrus fruit and weight.

Cote Chalonnaise

South of the main Côte d'Or, the vineyards are interspersed with other forms of agriculture, with just the more favoured slopes being dedicated to vineyards. Few wines from the Côte Chalonnaise are designed for long ageing, but there are many attractive red and white wines at affordable prices, and one unique appellation, Bouzeron, which is made using the Aligoté grape alone.

• 53 hectares of AC Bouzeron (for Aligoté)
• 330 hectares of AC Rully (65 percent white). Finest vineyards include Clos St Jacques, Gresigny, La Pucelle, Rabourcé.
• 257 hectares of AC Givry (85 percent red). Premier Crus include Clos Salomon, Clos Jus.
• 645 hectares of AC Mercurey (85 percent red). Best Premier Crus include Clos du Roy, Clos l'Eveque, Les Naugues.
• 291 hectares of AC Montagny (all white). Premier Crus include Les Coères, Les Jardins.
• Recommended Producers:  de Vilaine (Bouzeron), Jacqueson, Devevey (Rully), Lumpp, Ragot (Givry), Juillot, Lorenzon, Raquillet (Mercurey), Aladame (Montagny).

Aligoté

A grape that was first recorded in Burgundy in the 18th century and is still planted almost exclusively there, though there are limited plantings in Bulgaria, Moldavia and even California. It is a moderate-yielding grape that tends to perform best on south-east facing slopes and in warm, dry years.

For your Burgundian vigneron, Aligoté is not nearly as profitable to grow as Chardonnay - consequently it tends to be relegated to lower quality vineyards. In the wrong hands and in the wrong sites it can produce thin, raspingly acidic wines that are remarkably undistinguished. However the best growers produce balanced examples with nutty and citrus hints which are most appealing to drink. The best Aligoté wines traditionally come from Bouzeron in the Côte Chalonnaise. Along with blackcurrant liqueur, it is the key ingredient of Kir.