Bouzeron

The vineyards of Bourgogne produce some great wines with a historical and international reputation. However, the region is not simply limited to its iconic appellations. In addition to its Village Premier Cru and Grand Cru AOCs, it also produces a range of wonderful Régionale and Village appellations to explore.


You will also find a full list of the Bourgogne’s Climats and lieux-dits on this page.


Check out the complete list of the 84 Bourgogne appellations.

However, your exploration has only just begun. Bourgogne wines have never before offered such high quality. Besides our range of internationally celebrated wines, try some of our lesser-known appellations where there are lots of surprises in store.

And for a fun way to find out more about the wines on offer, try out our “Which Bourgogne wine is right for me?” quiz, or check out Bourgogne Maps to take an interactive tour of the region.

  • Category

    Village appellation

  • Wine-producing region

    VIGNOBLE DE LA CÔTE CHALONNAISE

  • Creation of the appellation

    17 février 1998

  • Colour

    White wines only - Aligoté.
    The Aligoté grape originated in the crossing of Pinot Noir and Gouais (a Gaulish grape varietal) that no longer exists today. The Aligoté grown in Bouzeron is said to be golden: when the grapes ripen in the sin, their skins, which are less thick than the traditional Aligoté grown elsewhere in Bourgogne, take on a golden hue and this allows a better alcohol/acidity balance during ripening.
     

  • Area under production*:
    1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m² = 24 ouvrées.
    55.80 ha.

    * in 2018

  • Appellation Village: the only appellation Village to be made from the Aligoté grape in the Côte Chalonnaise, in Saône-et-Loire.
    One of the five appellations Villages in the Côte Chalonnaise, and the closest to the Côte-d’Or.
    Created by the appellation decree of 17 February 1998, this appellation Village replaced the former appellation Régionale Bourgogne Aligoté Bouzeron.
    Producing communes: Bouzeron, Chassey-le-Camp
     

Wine Characteristics - Bouzeron

Wine
Characteristics

White: its colour - pale gold verging on watery green - may deepen to light straw. The nose evokes acacia, white flowers, and hazel-bordered country lanes. Flinty mineral notes and lemon complete a classic bouquet, to which may sometimes be added a discreet touch of honey or warm croissant.
In the mouth its meaty, well-built body and luxurious vivacity brings out the distinct personality of the Aligoté grape. Minor differences in character depend on terroir.
 

Wine Steward’s Tip - Bouzeron

Wine
Steward’s Tip

At once rounded and sprightly - a superb synthesis - this enjoyable and delicately powerful wine contributes lemony notes to oysters and matches their saltiness with its steady minerality. The same goes for cod roe (taramasalata), and crustaceans, steamed or in a cheese sauce. Its fullness enhances veal or poultry in white or cream sauce, and a mushroom risotto would also respond nicely to its aromatic persistence. It may also be served as a pre-dinner drink with savory puff pastries (gougères), or with dishes such as the burgundian specialty of cold ham with parsely (jambon persillé),mixed salads, or quiches. It goes perfectly well with most types of goat cheese, as well as with Beaufort, Comté or Cîteaux.
Serving temperatures: 10 to 11°C as a pre-dinner drink,11 to 12°C with meal.
 

Situation - Bouzeron

Situation

Recognised in 1997 as a fully-fledged Burgundian appellation Village, the AOC Bouzeron is a salute to the Aligoté grape, to which it owes its fame. This variety of grape does particularly well in Bourgogne where its distinct personality comes well to the fore and gives its name to the appellation Régionale Bourgogne aligoté. Bouzeron lies in the Côte Chalonnaise in Northern Saône-et-Loire. The valley of the river Dheune separates it from Santenay and it is a close neighbor of Rully and Chassagne-Montrachet. Its hillsides have seen human activity going back into the mists of time and the district has even given its name –Chassean - to a prehistoric culture, famous for its artwork.

Terroirs - Bouzeron

Terroirs

The Aligoté grape may be said to have fallen in love with this piece of ground, lying at an altitude between 270 and 350 meters. The upper portion consists of white marls derived from Oxfordian limestone (the first stage of the Jurassic system). Elsewhere, the slopes consist in part of brown marly soils derived from Bath limestone. The soil is generally thin and the slopes steep.
Exposure is east or south-east. Some plots are especially valued. Bouzeron, appellation Village, is made exclusively with grapes grown in white marly limestone on the upper slopes and this, together with a pruning method known as gobelet or palmette, allows yields to be carefully controlled, offering a very typical wine that is strongly rooted in its terroir. The lower slopes are used for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for wines sold as AOC Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise.

List of "Climats et Lieux-dits"
for this appellation

Lieux-dits

En RabeutelotL' HermitageLa DigoineLa EpoubeLa FortuneLa TournelleLe Bois de FoiretLe BourgLe Champ des CrotsLe FeulinLes BouchinesLes BoyottesLes ClousLes CorcellesLes CordèresLes FiasLes LouèresLes PertuzotsLes SeurréesSous le BoisVers le Petits Puits
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